Chicken Saltimbocca

(Keto, Low-Carb, Gluten-Free, Grain-Free & Dairy-Free Option)

With Just 8 Ingredients!

Saltimobocca is a classic Italian dish, meaning “jump into the mouth.” It’s no wonder, since it is absolutely delicious! However, its origins are difficult to pin down. The dish is often called ‘saltimbocca alla Romana,’ which could mean that it is ancient Roman or that it comes from Rome. Either way, the traditional dish is made with veal. My recipe is a variation of the original, using chicken, since it so much easier to come by.

Ingredients Needed For Chicken Saltimbocca

My recipe includes only the following 8 ingredients:

Chicken

Often, recipes will suggest that you tenderize the meat with a meat tenderizing hammer. Although you can do this, I didn’t have the time and decided to just cut each piece of chicken in half lengthwise. It turned out just fine for our family! Part of the idea is that the chicken should be thin. If you want to tenderize the meat traditionally, go for it. But cutting the chicken in half was certainly easier and faster and resulted in a thin chicken breast, also.

Just be sure to buy chicken breasts that are organic and humanely raised. Look for brands that not only say they are organic, but also hormone-free, antibiotic-free, free-range, etc., as the addition of any added hormones and antibiotics have a negative effect on our health when eaten.

Prosciutto Ham

Prosciutto ham is an Italian dry-cured ham that is usually sliced very thin and often served uncooked (i.e. prosciutto crudo). The two most well-known regions in Italy famed for their prosciutto are the province of Parma for their prosciutto di Parma and Friuli Venezia Giulia for their prosciutto di San Daniele.

When cooking prosciutto, be sure not to over-cook the ham. You must cook it for a few minutes, so that the heat will cause its flavor to blend with the chicken. However, over-cooking the ham will result in a less satisfying taste.

Good Fat Options

I choose to sauté my chicken in butter. However, if you want a non-dairy option, pork lard or beef tallow are both good choices to substitute for butter, as long as they are from organic, pasture-raised animals. Organic virgin coconut oil is another good option that I’ve had great results with. All three fasts, as well as butter, have high smoke points and will not lose their health benefits when heated.

To Cheese Or Not To Cheese

Most traditional recipes call for Mozzarella cheese slices to be placed on top of this dish. However, I could not find an organic brand of Mozzarella cheese slices in my grocery store. Consequently, I improvised and bought a block of Mozzarella cheese and sliced it myself. You could also try using organic Provolone cheese slices, instead. Either way, I would highly recommend using an organic cheese, if you can find it. Non-organic cheeses are often filled, not only with pesticides, but also with extra hormones and antibiotics.

Dairy products naturally contain estrogen, since they come from the milk of a female cow. However, added hormones will just increase the amount of hormones you ingest when you eat the milk by-products, which no one needs in their bodies. If you have a problem with dairy, or you are just avoiding estrogen-containing foods in your diet, you could just bake this chicken dish without the cheese. It would still be delicious with the seasonings, ham and added fat!

Sage Leaves

Typically, when preparing this traditional dish, the sage leaves are placed on the chicken and the prosciutto ham is placed on top of the sage leaves, trapping the leaves between the two pieces of meat. I chose to serve my sage leaves on top of my dish at the end, since some of my children didn’t like them much. But you can prepare yours either way you like it.

What To Serve With Chicken Saltimbocca

Chicken saltimbocca can be served with just about any side dish. It would taste great served with roasted broccoli, steamed mixed vegetables, garlic green beans or even roasted Brussel sprouts, just to name a few. I served my dish with a squash casserole and it was delicious!

Although it sounds fancy, chicken saltimbocca is a fairly easy dish to make. And since it pairs with so many side dishes, it can easily become a family favorite.

Chicken Saltimbocca (Keto, Low-Carb, Gluten-Free, Grain-Free & Dairy-Free Option)

Saltimbocca is an Italian classic. Although it is traditionally made using veal, this chicken saltimobocca version is just as delicious! Even better yet, it's Keto-approved!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20

Cook Time 20

Total Time 40

Servings 4

Calories 324.7 kcal

Equipment

Large Skillet or Sauté Pan
Spatula
Baking Sheet
Parchment Paper
Measuring Spoons
Sharp Knife or Meat Tenderizer

Ingredients

1½ Pounds Chicken Breasts
¾ Tsp Himalayan Pink Salt
¾ Tsp Garlic Powder
¾ Tsp Ground Sage
2 Ounces Prosciutto Ham
2 Tbsp Butter
2 Ounces Mozzarella or Provolone Cheese Slices
4-6 Optional: Fresh Sage Leaves

Instructions

Either butterfly the chicken or place the chicken between 2 pieces of parchment paper and pound it until it is only a ½" thick.
Sprinkle chicken with salt, garlic powder and sage.
Place 1 slice of prosciutto ham on each chicken breast, gently pressing the pieces together until the ham adheres to the chicken.
Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Place the chicken in the skillet with the prosciutto ham side down. Cook for about 2 minutes, or until the ham is browned.
Flip the chicken over in the skillet and cook for another 5 minutes.
Meanwhile, preheat the over to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place the chicken on the baking sheet, with the prosciutto ham side up.
Top each piece of chicken with slices of mozzarella or provolone cheese. Bake for 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted.
Optional: If you want the cheese to be browned more, you can finish the chicken in the broiler for 4 minutes.
Optional: Top each chicken breast with a fresh sage leaf, if desired.

Notes

Nutrition Facts (SparkPeople.com)

4 Servings

Amount Per Serving:

Calories 324.7
Total Fat 13.0 g
Saturated Fat 8.1 g
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.5 g
Monounsaturated Fat 0.6 g
Cholesterol 140.8 mg
Sodium 557.0 mg
Potassium 206.7 mg
Total Carbohydrate 0.5 g
Dietary Fiber 0.1 g
Sugars 0.2 g
Protein 48.4 g

*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Have you tried making Chicken Saltimbocca? How did it turn out? Please share below.

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Jillian

Hi, I'm Jillian! Jillian's World is about natural living, having fun with your kids and eating well. It's packed with ways to be healthier in mind, body and spirit. I'm so glad you're here!