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Italian Chicken Saltimbocca Recipe

4.9 from 655 reviews

Italian Chicken Saltimbocca is a classic Italian dish featuring tender, flattened chicken breasts wrapped with savory prosciutto and fresh sage, pan-fried to golden perfection, and finished with a rich, flavorful pan sauce made from chicken broth and white wine. This recipe delivers a perfect balance of crispy prosciutto, aromatic sage, and juicy chicken, making it an elegant yet simple dinner option.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Chicken

  • 4 pieces boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 8 slices prosciutto
  • 8 fresh sage leaves

For the Dredging and Cooking

  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour (substitute with gluten-free blend if needed)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil or vegetable oil
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (adjust if using salted butter)

For the Flavor Base

  • 1 cup chicken broth (homemade or store-bought)
  • 1/4 cup white wine (optional, can substitute with lemon juice)
  • Salt, to taste
  • Pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Chicken: Flatten chicken breasts between plastic wrap using a meat mallet until about ½ inch thick to ensure even cooking.
  2. Season: Generously sprinkle both sides of the chicken breasts with salt and pepper to boost the flavor.
  3. Wrap: Place two slices of prosciutto and one fresh sage leaf on each chicken breast, carefully wrapping to form a flavorful bundle.
  4. Dredge: Lightly coat each wrapped chicken breast in flour, shaking off any excess to prevent clumping during cooking.
  5. Heat Pan: In a large skillet, heat olive oil and 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter over medium-high heat until the mixture shimmers, about 2 minutes.
  6. Cook Chicken: Add the chicken prosciutto-side down and cook for 4-5 minutes until the prosciutto is golden brown and crispy.
  7. Flip & Cook: Turn the chicken over carefully, add the remaining butter, and cook for another 4-5 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
  8. Add Liquids: Remove chicken from the pan. Pour in chicken broth and white wine and use a spatula to scrape up browned bits from the pan bottom.
  9. Reduce Sauce: Simmer the sauce for 2-3 minutes until it thickens slightly, intensifying the flavor.
  10. Serve: Return the chicken to the pan to soak in the sauce before plating and serving warm.

Notes

  • You can substitute white wine with fresh lemon juice for a non-alcoholic option.
  • For a gluten-free version, use a gluten-free flour blend for dredging.
  • Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
  • Prosciutto crisps up nicely when cooked skin-side down; avoid moving the chicken too much in the pan to get a nice crust.
  • Fresh sage is ideal, but dried sage can be used if fresh is unavailable—reduce quantity accordingly.

Keywords: Italian chicken saltimbocca, chicken breasts, prosciutto recipe, sage chicken, pan-fried chicken, Italian main dish