This chicken saltimbocca recipe is truly one of my absolute favorites. I serve it whenever I can to guests because I know that they are going to love it!!
I gaze lovingly at these cute little chicken roll-ups. That’s what I call this chicken saltimbocca recipe. I would pet these chicken roll-ups like a beloved animal if it wasn’t weird and didn’t get my fingers all greasy. It’s an awesome combination of chicken, salt, pepper, prosciutto, fresh tarragon and gouda cheese.
Doesn’t that make you want to dance the chicken saltimbocca jig?
It does me!
Did you know that saltimbocca means “jumps in the mouth” in Italian? Well, it does and believe me, you are going to want these beauties to jump right into your mouth, no fork necessary!
As you can see, I love food. I love talking about food, I love writing about food and I especially love EATING food. When I was a teenager, I used to have some, um, let’s just say, quirks. One of them being, at the end of the day, I used to make my sisters listen to what I ate all day, from breakfast to my night snack. Did anyone else do that? I give my family a lot of credit for indulging me in that little habit. And I have to admit that I still sometimes do it to dear hub Christopher. Not often, but it has been known to happen.
I know, poor guy. But, what a guy!!
On to the Chicken Saltimbocca Recipe
So, what I bought this time, deviating from my normal organic chicken thighs, were organic chicken tenders.
How do You Deal with Chicken Tenders?
There were eight of them for me work with. And by “work with”, I mean “pound the crap out of” so they become flat and thin. I love how they spread out once you’re finished pounding them. How do I flatten these cute little chicken tenders?
I put two tenders between three pieces of plastic wrap, use the flat side of a meat tenderizer, whack away, and voila! I have beautiful flattened chicken. 🙂
Pound, pound, pound, POUND!
Take your aggressions out on these cute little chicken bits.
I gather all the rest of the ingredients for the chicken saltimbocca recipe, which includes gouda cheese, prosciutto and fresh tarragon. I cut the gouda cheese in strips.
How do you assemble it all for the chicken saltimbocca recipe?
- Salt the chicken tenders
- Place prosciutto on the chicken
- Place as many fresh tarragon leaves as you want on top
- place three chunks of gouda cheese on top
Do I need to use Prosciutto, gouda cheese and Fresh Tarragon?
You could use thin slices of ham but I prefer to use prosciutto because the prosciutto adds so much to the flavor.
I like the smoky flavor of Gouda cheese, but you can use any semi soft cheese. I’ve used really soft cheese before and it tends to leak out when you are cooking, which I’m not as fond of because I want the cheesy goodness in my tum-tum, not in the pan!
I prefer fresh tarragon because it is so fragrant and delicious. But if you can’t find fresh tarragon, fear not! You can always just use dried tarragon.
How do you roll chicken saltimbocca recipe?
Now it’s time to grab some toothpicks and roll these babies up. I gather the cheese at the starting end of my roll so that it wraps up first, roll down the chicken and stick a toothpick in it once it’s done. I stick the pick 1/4 of an inch away from the seam. Make sure the toothpick goes through both sides so that your roll holds together while cooking. Continue until all the chicken is rolled up and the picks are in place.
Not sure why I think they are so cute – it’s raw meat for pete’s sake – but I do!
Time to heat your sauté pan to medium heat. Add the stick of butter and once the butter has melted place each chicken rollup in the pan. After 2 1/2 minutes, turn each roll and sauté for an additional 2 1/2 minutes.
Now, it’s time to take out the chicken saltimbocca and place them on a plate. Add one cup of chicken broth and as much fresh tarragon and you would like. I actually use the at least half the container since it’s not that big. I also sprinkle more dried tarragon because, hey, why not? Just a sprinkle. Or two. Or three!
If the butter-broth-tarragon mixture isn’t boiling, turn up the heat so it does. Boil for 5 minutes. While you are waiting for the 5 minute boil, take out the toothpicks from the chicken saltimbocca.
Don’t worry it won’t uncurl like a party favor. It stays together. Almost every time I’ve made this dish, a small piece of prosciutto escapes from the roll up so I let it stay in the pan. I do fish it out at some point and pop it in my open maw but that isn’t required, just desired. You can catch a glimpse of it in the photo below – in the middle of the pan.
Once the 5 minutes is up, I turn the heat off for approximately 2 minutes (to end the boil), then I set the heat to a simmer and place the chicken back in the pan and sauté for 2 1/2 minutes. I turn the chicken and sauté for an additional 2 1/2 minutes or until it’s fully cooked.
I plate some rice and some broccoli rabe!! You can plate it with any vegetable of your choice.
I hope you enjoyed this chicken saltimbocca recipe. It’s truly a favorite in my house.
And as always, may all your dishes be delish!!
- 8 chicken tenders Organic boneless
- salt
- pepper
- 8 pieces prosciutto
- 16 cubes Gouda cheese cubed
- 4 ounces fresh tarragon
- 1/4 teaspoon dried tarragon
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1 cup chicken broth
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Place chicken between two pieces of plastic wrap
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Pound chicken with the flat of a meat tenderizer
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Place 2 thin chicken pieces on plate and sprinkle salt and pepper on them
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Place a sheet of prosciutto on chicken
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Put some fresh tarragon on the prosciutto
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Place 2 to 3 cubes of cheese on the chicken, close to one end
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Start to roll up the chicken, making sure you tuck the cheese in first
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Stick toothpick 1/4 inches from seam of chicken roll up
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Repeat until all the chicken is rolled up into cute little tubes
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Heat sauté pan on medium
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Add stick of butter and melt it
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Place chicken in butter and sauté for 2 1/2 minutes
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Turn chicken and sauté for additional 2 1/2 minutes
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Remove chicken and set aside
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Add broth and both fresh and dried tarragon
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Boil for 5 minutes
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Eat that little bit of prosciutto
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While broth is boiling, remove toothpicks
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Turn off the heat to make the broth stop boiling, cooling for 1 - 2 minutes
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Place chicken back in pan
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Turn the heat to simmer
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Sauté for an additional 2 1/2 minutes, turn chicken
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Sauté for additional 2 1/2 minutes or until done
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Remove chicken
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Pair it with some lovely side dishes
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Eat
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Enjoy
Oh my gawd! These look super yummy! I’m doing the “saltimbocca dance” with you right now, lol! I can’t wait to try these, thank you!
Thanks Jolie!
It’s one of my favorite ways to eat chicken. 🙂 Thanks for your comment!
Elaine
Mmm. This looks fabulous Elaine. I love tarragon with chicken!
Thanks Joyce! So do I, it’s my favorite combo!
Love your step by step instructions. Makes me feel like I’m right there with you in the kitchen. Will be pinning this for later to make at my sister’s birthday party next weekend.
Thanks so much Debbye!! It’s so yummy. I bet your sister will love it!
I love this idea! I especially love the butter sauce and all the tarragon leaves. There is nothing like fresh tarragon! I’ll be making this for sure!
Thanks Suzy! I love butter with tarragon, that’s for sure!
Yummmmers Elaine! My not making this already?! I love every ingredient you have in this recipe… And it looks so easy with all the step-by-step pictures. Just pinned…can’t wait to make 🙂
Thanks so much Traci! I appreciate it!
Wow, this chicken saltimbocca is really impressive! What an AMAZING idea! This is an ideal dinner for me and my family. Beautiful presentation! This is really very tasty! I definitely want to try it. Thank you for sharing this great recipe!
Thanks so much Veena!! 🙂
What a fun and unique way to serve chicken! And you’re right, perfect to serve to guests!
Thanks so much Jessica! I appreciate it!
This looks delicious and surprisingly easy. It looks like the secret is pounding the chicken really thin. The addition of prosciutto to anything make it better!
I totally agree with the prosciutto addition! Thank you Vicky!
I have NEVER made or eaten this before. I can see that I am missing out big time. Yes I agree, dinner guests would be totally impressed with this great dish for sure.
Thanks so much Gloria!! It is so delicious!
I love this! I am going to try this recipe at the weekend and let you know what I think… Thank you for sharing!!
Thanks so much Georgie! I really think you are going to like it!
Chicken and tarragon is my favorite combo ever, these look incredible!
Thanks so much Carrie! That means a lot to me.
What fun! I love how they look all rolled up like that. THey look like they are simple to make but they present so fancy. Great for a party!
Thank you Kate!! I appreciate it! They are so fun!
These little bundles of heaven are just waiting to be made for dinner this week. The sauce, oh my. The cheese, oh yes!
Yay Sharon! A kindred spirit!
I am always looking for something different to make with chicken and my hubby bought me a large kitchen mallet that would work great for this! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks Analida!
This looks SO delicious! I’m always really boring when it comes to making chicken, but this recipe actually looks really straight forward and doable. Such a great idea!
Thanks Christine! You’ll be surprised how easy this is to make!
What a treat! Can’t wait to try your recipe, I know my family will love this!
Thanks Sara!
I have had a similar variant on this (swiss cheese and ham), but the prosciuttto/gouda/tarragon combo sounds heavenly! And yes, I talk about food all day long – to anyone who will listen! Great recipe!
Hehe Tamara! It’s good to hear that I”m not alone about talking about food!
This is one of those recipes I always order if I see it on a menu. I had no idea it was so easy to make. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks Kat!! It’s amazing how easy it is! I order it too when I see it! 🙂
Love your saltimbocca Lainey, chicken and tarragon is a match made in heaven, perfect for a party indeed!
Thanks Patty! It’s so yummy!
Oh my goodness…YES! Everything about this recipe YES! Those flavors…OMG I can’t wait to make this! Perfect for a snack or dinner! I’m so making these!
Hehe Amanda!! Thanks so much, you won’t be disappointed!
Another terrific, super satisfying savory dinner. The Italians got the name of this one right. It really does want to jump into the mouth!
Hehe!! I agree Christopher!
What a great post! Chicken Saltimbocca is one of my favorite dishes to order when we go out to Italian restaurants. You’ve done such a great job of showing how to make this classic at home! I’ve always been such a fan of the salty-creamy flavor combos in this dish!
Thanks so much Amanda! I appreciate it!
Thisis something new to me. Looks so delicious and I love the way its presented!
Thanks Kushi!
Looks absolutely delicious and gourmet, guest will think you spent hours in the kitchen making them. I enjoy talking about food and when I meet people for the first time I always ask them what’s their favorite local dish or national dish.
Thanks so much Michelle! It’s fun to serve to guests, not only because it’s scrumptious but it does look fancy without the fuss!