Title: Heavenly Chicken Saltimbocca: A Delightful Twist on a Classic Recipe
Description:
In this delightful interpretation of the traditional Italian dish known as Saltimbocca, we replace veal with tender, juicy chicken breasts to create a meal that not only highlights the finer texture and flavor of chicken but also offers a comforting and satisfying dining experience. This quick and easy recipe showcases the rich taste of parma ham, aromatic fresh sage leaves, and a sprinkle of seasoned flour, all enhanced by the luxurious combination of good-quality olive oil and butter. Perfect for a weeknight dinner or an elegant gathering, this Chicken Saltimbocca will transport your taste buds to the sunny streets of Italy in just 25 minutes.
Nutritional Information
| Nutritional Component | Amount per Serving |
|---|---|
| Calories | 198.7 |
| Total Fat | 16.4 g |
| Saturated Fat | 8.1 g |
| Cholesterol | 68.2 mg |
| Sodium | 169.7 mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 0 g |
| Dietary Fiber | 0 g |
| Sugars | 0 g |
| Protein | 12.7 g |
Ingredients
| Quantity | Ingredient |
|---|---|
| 2 | boneless skinless chicken breasts |
| 6 | slices of parma ham |
| 12 | fresh sage leaves |
| – | seasoned flour (for dusting) |
| 1 | tablespoon olive oil |
| 2 | tablespoons butter |
| – | lemon wedges (for garnish) |
Instructions
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Prepare the Chicken: Start by slicing each chicken breast in half horizontally to create two thinner escalopes from each piece. Then, proceed to cut each half diagonally into three equal pieces, ensuring that you are slicing across the grain of the meat. This technique will help achieve a more tender texture.
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Flatten the Escalopes: Take each of the chicken escalopes and place them between sheets of cling film or plastic wrap. Using a meat mallet or rolling pin, gently bat out the chicken until they are thin without tearing. This step not only tenderizes the meat but also helps to ensure even cooking.
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Season the Chicken: Once your escalopes are flattened, season each piece lightly with a sprinkle of salt and freshly cracked black pepper. This will enhance the natural flavors of the chicken and the accompanying ingredients.
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Assemble the Dish: Lay half a slice of parma ham on each escalope, followed by a fresh sage leaf. To secure these layers together, use a cocktail stick to pin them in place, ensuring that the ham and sage remain atop the chicken during cooking.
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Dust with Flour: Lightly dust each escalope on both sides with seasoned flour. This will create a lovely crust when frying and help to absorb some of the flavors from the oil and butter.
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Cooking Process: If you’re preparing this dish ahead of time, you can stop here. These assembled escalopes can be refrigerated for up to four hours before cooking. When you’re ready to proceed, heat the olive oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat, adding the butter as well. Allow the butter to melt and foam, indicating that it is ready for frying.
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Fry the Escalopes: Carefully place four escalopes at a time into the hot pan, sage-side down. Fry them for approximately 1.5 minutes until they are golden brown. After that, gently flip the escalopes and cook for an additional 30 seconds, ensuring they remain tender and juicy.
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Finish Cooking: Once the escalopes are cooked, remove them from the pan and keep warm on a plate covered with aluminum foil while you fry the remaining batches.
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Serve: To serve your Chicken Saltimbocca, garnish the dish generously with fresh lemon wedges, as the citrus juice will elevate the flavors and provide a refreshing contrast to the rich ham and chicken. Enjoy your dish piping hot for the best flavor and texture!
Serving Suggestions
Chicken Saltimbocca is best served with a side of roasted vegetables or a simple arugula salad drizzled with balsamic vinaigrette. Additionally, it pairs beautifully with a light pasta dish or creamy polenta, creating a balanced meal that is sure to impress your family or guests.
Conclusion
With just a few simple ingredients and minimal cooking time, this Chicken Saltimbocca recipe transforms a classic dish into a heavenly experience that you can prepare in your very own kitchen. Whether you’re enjoying it on a weeknight or serving it at a dinner party, this dish promises to be a crowd-pleaser, showcasing the delightful combination of savory ham, fragrant sage, and succulent chicken, all made complete with the zesty brightness of fresh lemon juice. Dive into this culinary adventure, and indulge in a taste of Italy today!
Keywords
Chicken, Poultry, Meat, < 30 Mins, Quick Recipes, Easy Dinner Ideas, Italian Cuisine
