Fresh Ina Garten Chicken Saltimbocca Recipe

Bursting with Mediterranean charm, chicken saltimbocca elevates home cooking to an art form.

This Italian-inspired delicacy transforms simple chicken into a symphony of flavors that pirouette across your taste buds.

Prosciutto and sage weave magic into tender meat, creating a culinary masterpiece that whispers elegance.

Delicate layers of protein get infused with salty, herbaceous notes that spark pure gastronomic joy.

Each bite unfolds a story of tradition and passion, seamlessly blending rustic ingredients with refined technique.

The recipe demands minimal effort but delivers maximum impact, promising a dinner that feels like a gourmet restaurant experience.

You’ll fall in love with this surprisingly simple yet utterly sophisticated dish that turns an ordinary evening into a celebration of flavor.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Calories: 360 kcal

Servings: 4

Ina Garten Chicken Saltimbocca: Ingredient Checklist

• Chicken Cutlets: Choose thin, evenly cut cutlets for consistent cooking and easy rolling.
• Prosciutto: Select high-quality, thinly sliced prosciutto for delicate flavor and texture.
• Parmesan Cheese: Use freshly grated cheese for a rich, nutty taste that melts beautifully.

• Salt: Use kosher or sea salt for balanced seasoning.
• Black Pepper: Freshly ground pepper provides more intense flavor.
• Olive Oil: Choose extra virgin olive oil for a fruity, robust taste.
• Lemon: Select bright, firm lemons with smooth skin for maximum juice.

• Spinach: Use frozen spinach, thoroughly drained to prevent excess moisture.
• Chicken Broth: Opt for low-sodium broth to control overall saltiness.

Tools You’ll Need for Chicken Saltimbocca

• Cutting Board: Flat surface for preparing chicken and ingredients.
• Kitchen Knife: Sharp tool for slicing prosciutto and preparing ingredients.
• Toothpicks: Small wooden sticks to secure rolled chicken.
• Large Skillet: Spacious pan for searing and simmering chicken rolls.
• Colander or Strainer: Tool to drain excess moisture from spinach.
• Grater: Handheld device for shredding Parmesan cheese.
• Measuring Spoons: Small utensils for precise seasoning.
• Tongs: Kitchen tool for safely handling and turning chicken rolls.
• Serving Platter: Dish for presenting the final chicken rolls.

Step-by-Step for Cooking Chicken Saltimbocca

• Prepare Chicken Base

Lay chicken on a cutting board and season with salt and pepper. Layer thin prosciutto slices across the surface, covering almost entirely.

• Create Flavorful Filling

Squeeze moisture from spinach and blend with olive oil and seasonings. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese generously over the prepared spinach mixture.

• Craft Elegant Rolls

Carefully roll chicken from one edge to another, forming tight spirals. Secure each roll with toothpicks to maintain shape during cooking.

• Sear and Simmer

Heat olive oil in a skillet and place rolls carefully, searing until golden brown on all sides. Pour chicken broth and lemon juice into the pan, covering and reducing heat. Cook until chicken is tender and sauce thickens naturally.

• Serve with Flair

Transfer rolls to a serving plate and drizzle with concentrated cooking sauce. Garnish with fresh herbs if desired for an elegant presentation that highlights the dish’s rich flavors.

How to Change Up Chicken Saltimbocca Flavor

• Slice Smartly: Pound chicken cutlets to an even 1/4-inch thickness for consistent cooking and easier rolling. Use a meat mallet or heavy skillet to achieve uniform thickness.
• Customize Cheese Choices: Swap Parmesan with Romano, Asiago, or pecorino for different flavor profiles. Experiment with aged or soft cheese varieties to create unique taste experiences.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare chicken rolls up to 24 hours in advance and store covered in the refrigerator. This technique allows flavors to meld and saves precious cooking time before serving.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Replace toothpicks with kitchen twine for a more elegant presentation. For those avoiding gluten, ensure all ingredients like chicken broth are certified gluten-free.

Serving Chicken Saltimbocca for a Fancy Meal

• Pair with Elegant Side Dishes: Create a restaurant-worthy plate by serving these prosciutto-stuffed chicken rolls alongside creamy risotto or roasted garlic mashed potatoes for a luxurious dining experience.
• Garnish with Fresh Herbs: Sprinkle chopped parsley, basil, or chives over the chicken rolls to add a bright, fresh pop of color and elevate the dish's visual appeal and flavor profile.
• Wine Pairing Recommendation: Choose a crisp white wine like Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc to complement the savory prosciutto and delicate chicken, enhancing the overall meal's sophistication.
• Plate with Seasonal Vegetables: Add roasted asparagus, sautéed zucchini, or a light mixed green salad to balance the rich flavors and provide a nutritious accompaniment to the chicken rolls.

Store and Reheat Chicken Saltimbocca Meals

• Maximize Meal Prep: Prepare chicken rolls up to 24 hours in advance, storing them tightly wrapped in the refrigerator. This strategy saves time and enhances flavor development.
• Refrigeration Wisdom: Store leftover chicken rolls in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. Always place in the coldest part of your refrigerator to maintain optimal freshness and taste.
• Freezing Technique: Wrap individual chicken rolls in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Frozen rolls remain delicious for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Reheat with Care: Warm refrigerated or thawed rolls gently in a skillet over medium-low heat for 4-5 minutes. Add a splash of chicken broth to prevent drying and maintain the succulent texture of the prosciutto-wrapped chicken.

Elegant Ina Garten Chicken Saltimbocca Recipe

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4.8 from 30 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s chicken saltimbocca combines Italian chicken breasts with prosciutto and sage for a classic Mediterranean-inspired dish. Elegant yet simple preparation guarantees restaurant-quality results you can confidently recreate in your kitchen.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 6 chicken cutlets (3 oz/85 g), pounded flat
• 6 thin slices of prosciutto
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan
• 10 oz/280 g frozen chopped spinach, thawed
• 3 tbsps olive oil
• 14 oz/400 ml low-salt chicken broth
• 2 tbsps fresh lemon juice
• Salt to taste
• Black pepper to taste

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Position chicken cutlets on a cutting board, season with kosher salt and black pepper. Layer each cutlet with a slice of prosciutto, creating a delicate foundation.
2. Spinach Layering: Squeeze excess moisture from spinach, season with salt and pepper, and blend with olive oil. Spread the vibrant green mixture evenly over the prosciutto-covered chicken, ensuring full coverage.
3. Cheese and Rolling: Sprinkle Parmesan cheese across the spinach layer. Skillfully roll each cutlet into a tight cylinder, resembling a culinary spiral. Secure the rolls with toothpicks to maintain their elegant shape.
4. Searing and Braising: Ignite a large skillet with olive oil over high heat. Gently introduce the chicken rolls, searing until a golden crust develops. Deglaze the pan with chicken broth and lemon juice, reducing heat to medium and covering the skillet to allow gentle simmering.
5. Finishing and Serving: Cook chicken until tender and fully cooked, approximately 8-10 minutes. Transfer the rolls to a serving platter. Reduce the remaining liquid to a concentrated sauce, drizzling the aromatic reduction over the chicken before presenting to eager diners.

Notes

• Maximize Meat Tenderness: Pound chicken cutlets to an even 1/4-inch thickness before seasoning to ensure uniform cooking and tender texture.
• Moisture Management: Squeeze spinach thoroughly to prevent excess water from making the chicken rolls soggy during cooking.
• Secure Rolling Technique: Use toothpicks strategically placed at slight angles to prevent unraveling and maintain elegant cylindrical shape during searing and simmering.
• Sauce Reduction Strategy: Watch sauce carefully during final reduction to concentrate flavors without burning, creating a rich, glossy finish that elevates the entire dish.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 360
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 780 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 7 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 34 g
• Cholesterol: 85 mg