Chicken Saltimbocca with Melty Fontina. Literal translation: Chicken ‘Jump In The Mouth’ with Melty Fontina. Oh yeah!!
Jump in the mouth. How brilliant is that? With a name like that, how can it not be extraordinary? It kind of reminds me of a great boxing name, like…James ‘Lights Out’ Toney. Yep. Chicken ‘Jump In the Mouth’ Fontina. And yes, it’s a knock out!
I just realized something…should I ever decide to pursue professional boxing, I’ve got my name – “And in this corner – weighing in at (wait – do they even say that anymore? I think the last fight I saw was Ali vs. Frazier in 1974) Annie ‘Saltimbocca’ Bambina…” Okay, it’s a stretch, but it has a nice ring, don’t you think?
Saltimbocca, at its roots, refers to a veal dish, but I tell you what, it tastes just as good with chicken or turkey. I had the idea to do a recipe mash-up. This dish is very reminiscent of the first dinner Hubby and I shared on our wedding day…Chicken Cordon Bleu, and incorporates the ham and cheese of the cordon bleu with the traditional sage-y flavor and mouth-watering sauce of saltimbocca. Oh yeah…you know what I’m talking about. And because you pound the chicken cutlets to about 1/4 inch thick, scaloppini-style, thinly sliced, dredged in flour then sautéed, you’re left with a meat so thin and tender it literally melts in your mouth. You must take care, however, not to overcook the meat. It only needs a couple minutes on each side in a hot non-stick skillet.
The other switch I’ve made includes the typical prosciutto for cooked ham. Remember, Cordon Bleu uses ham and Swiss, and today we’re using ham and Fontina.
Why Fontina? Oh my gahhhh. Have you used it for anything other than crackers or dessert? Have you ever used Fontina for the purpose of melting?
Okay….this is worth repeating…Oh my gahhhh. No truer words have ever been spoken.
Its smooth buttery texture and mild sweet flavor melts so beautifully making it a perfect complement to this tender and flavorful dish.
This dish is perfect for weeknights, weekends, company, romance, you name it – it works. It is so quick, so simple, so fragrant, so mellow, so luscious, so savory, so delectable – you just might want to include this one in your weekly rotation of meals.
I am telling you…we’ve got flavor here, my friends.
We’ve. Got. Flavor.
Buon Appetito!
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Chicken Saltimbocca with Melty Fontina
- Category: Dinner
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
- 1/4 tsp. black pepper
- 1/4 tsp. ground sage
- 1 1/2 lbs. chicken cutlets
- 2 – 3 Tbsp. olive oil
- 6 – 8 slices cooked ham
- 6 – 8 slices Fontina cheese
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 3 Tbsp. fresh Italian flat-leaf parsley, big chop
Instructions
- In a shallow dish, combine flour, salt, pepper and sage. Set aside.
- Place each chicken cutlet between two pieces of plastic wrap. Using the flat side of a meat mallet, pound chicken lightly until about 1/4 inch thick.
- Remove plastic wrap and dip cutlets in flour mixture shaking off excess.
- In an extra-large non-stick skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat.
- Add cutlets; cook about 2 minutes or until brown on bottom.
- Turn cutlets over; top each with 1 slice of ham and 1 slice of Fontina.
- Add the broth; cook about 2 – 3 minutes more until the cheese melts and sauce thickens.
- Transfer cutlets to a serving platter.
- Spoon pan drippings over cutlets.
- Garnish with parsley.
Ciao!
Pinning this recipe because I know it will be delicious, but wanted to comment to you on the gorgeous plates you are using here!!
Well you are so sweet! Thank you, Jean! I appreciate that! Enjoy the chicken saltimbocca, my friend! 🙂
I’m crazy about the nutty undertones of Fontina and it’s superb meltiness! I’ve made veal saltimabocca but that’s pretty pricey so I can’t wait to try this!
I can’t wait ’til you try it! I’d love to know what you think!! 🙂
Omygosh – you must have been saving this one. This sounds too delish. I believe you when you promise flavor. I’m drooling. Cheers!
Thank you, Robin!! This is one of my favorites, for sure!! Ciao! 🙂
This looks seriously delicious!! I love fontina cheese. I am totally going to try this recipe out!!
Thanks so much, Renee! I appreciate that! Enjoy!!
I got me hook, line and sinker!!! These pictures had my mouth watering, then your description reeled me in and then I read it recipe and it was easy too! The trifecta hahaha Love it, Annie. Thanks for sharing another great recipe.
It is sooo easy! And I’m sooo happy you love it!! Thanks, Tammy! Buon Appetito!
I want a groovy boxer name too! LOL! And this chicken can jump in my mouth any time! Prosciutto and fontina? Gahhh! Yes!
Okay – we need to come up with a name for you because I am feeling pret-ty fierce, today! Hahha! 😉 Thanks, my dear! So glad you like!! Happy Friday!
I love your mash up, Annie.. and your (next life time) boxing name! 🙂 Veal Saltimbocca was one of my father’s all time favorite dishes… despite culinary school and all the crazy stuff I do love to eat (like liver, fish heads, fish eggs, frogs legs, etc), I just could never get myself past Bambi. I’m crazy, I know. Therefore your chicken version is music to my ears and a delight for my eyes! ♡ your photography is always gorgeous, and recipes always divine, this is no exception. Stellar as always. P.s. thanks for sparing Bambi! 😉 Cheers, lovely lady and thanks for sharing a 5+ star recipe!
I love your fearlessness at the table! I think the only thing I could get behind are the frogs legs…it was a Christmas Eve tradition in our family back in the day and I loved them! Tastes like chicken! So happy you like this version, my friend!! You always have the kindest things to say! I thank you!!! 🙂
Thats saltimbocca looks SO delicious, especially with that melty fontina on top – yum!! 🙂
The Fontina is such a wonderful topper! One of my favorites! Thanks, Christina!
Oh my gaahhh is totally right! This looks mouthwatering and so full of flavor! That melty fontina is making my tummy grumble right now! I wish I was having this for lunch! Pinning!
See – you know!! Oh my gahhhh! Thanks for the pin, dear! Enjoy!
Annie,
I love saltimboca but adding Fontina…so clever!
this recipe is on my list!
Have a great week end!
Virtual hugs,
Gaila
Thanks so much, my dear! Buon Appetito! 🙂
I just had breakfast and this has me salivating.
This looks incredible! I love this recipe and have always had it with veal. Pinned and a must try, thanks!
Thank you so much, Kevin! I appreciate that! Enjoy, my friend!
Annie, you’re cracking me up! I’m getting a great mental image! I think the ‘Saltimbocca’ Bambina’ is a FANTASTIC boxing name! It certainly does have a nice ring to it? Now the question is, what would be your theme music to walk out to?
This dish is incredible! And so quick and easy -it would be perfect for a weeknight dinner. THIS is my idea of comfort food!
Hahaha! Love it! Oh my…I didn’t even think of the music – hmmmm….”Hit Me With Your Best Shot”…too obvious? How about “That’s Amore”?? Moon hits your eye…it’s a stretch, I know! Thanks for your kind words, my friend! I appreciate it! 🙂
Can’t stop looking at this, love the melty cheese and flavors! Great job Annie! Will be trying it soon!
Thank you so much, Mira! Enjoy, my friend!
This looks amazing! Fontina is a weakness of mine 🙂
Thank you, Medha!! Oh my! It’s a weakness of mine, too! 🙂
Love knowing you will share more wonderful food. Thanks alot
Awh! Thank you very much, Gina! 🙂
This dish looks amazing, Annie! I always order chicken saltimbocca at one of my favorite restaurants, though I’ve never thought to make it at home! I will have to try this out, especially with that fontina!
Thanks, dear! It is so simple to make! I say go for it!! Have a great weekend!
OMG, Annie “Saltimbocca” Bambina…LMAO!!!!! You are so funny my friend! This is a great post. The photography is gorgeous and the Chicken Saltimbocca looks amazing and easy. Makes my decision what to make for Father’s Day and easy one!
Hahahah! Now we need a name for you! Thanks so much, my friend!! I hope Tom likes it!! 🙂