Basil Chicken Saltimbocca with Marinated Tomatoes & Mozzarella

We gobbled up the original version of this classic Italian dish when it was published in Bon Appétit. I had to try this summery version of the same dish. It was absolutely incredible.

This recipe was adapted from Half Baked Harvest.com. I used boneless, skinless chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts, increased the amount of garlic, and substituted ciliegine mozzarella balls for the burrata. It is an amazing adaptation of the original recipe.

Yield: Serves 4 to 6

• 6 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• 6 cloves garlic, grated
• coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1 cup fresh basil, approximately, divided
• 10 thin slices prosciutto
• 3 large eggs, beaten
• 2 cups Panko bread crumbs
• 2 cups cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
• 3 T extra virgin olive oil, plus more for cooking
• 2 T balsamic vinegar
• 2 T fresh thyme leaves, optional
• zest of 1 lemon, optional
• 4 oz ciliegine mozzarella balls or 3 balls burrata cheese, torn

1. Working one at a time, place the chicken thighs between 2 sheets of plastic wrap. Pound to achieve even thickness.
2. Place the eggs and Panko in separate shallow bowls. (I used glass pie dishes.)
3. Rub the chicken with garlic (1 clove per chicken thigh) and season with salt and pepper.
4. One at a time, press 2 basil leaves on top of each chicken thigh.
5. Wrap 2 pieces (1 1/2 pieces if small) of prosciutto around each cutlet to secure the basil.
6. Dredge both sides of the chicken through the egg and then through the Panko, pressing gently to adhere. Place the chicken on a plate.
7. Make the marinated tomatoes: In a bowl, toss together the tomatoes, 3 tablespoons olive oil, the balsamic vinegar, 1/2 cup fresh basil (chiffonade), and a pinch of salt, as well as the thyme and lemon zest, if using. (I omitted the thyme and lemon zest.) Add the cheese, if using ciliegine. Toss to combine. Set aside.
8. Heat a few tablespoons of oil in a large skillet over medium-high.
9. When the oil shimmers, add the chicken and cook until the bottom side is golden brown, about 3-4 minutes.
10. Carefully flip the chicken and cook until golden brown on the other side, about 3-4 minutes.
11. Transfer to a plate and lightly season with salt.
12. Serve the chicken warm topped with the mozzarella/burrata and marinated tomatoes.

Skillet Chicken with Tomatoes, Pancetta, & Mozzarella

Wow. This dish was AMAZING. I would describe it as a lighter take on chicken parmesan, but it even brings that classic dish to another level with its more complex flavors.

The first time I made this dish, I served it with roasted red potatoes and roasted broccoli on the side. Realizing that it would have been more perfect with pasta, we “had” to have it again. Absolute perfection served over rigatoni!

This recipe was adapted from the New York Times, contributed by Melissa Clark. She referred to the dish as “Pizza Chicken.” 🙂 I used boneless skinless chicken thighs instead of bone-in, increased the garlic, decreased the pancetta, and used ciliegine instead of bocconcini. Fabulous!!

Update: I made this delicious dish using fresh tomatoes (updated below) from another version of this recipe adapted from Dinner: Changing the Game by Melissa Clark. Also incredible!

Yield: Serves 6

• 3 ½ pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs (about 15)
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 4 ounces pancetta, diced
• 6 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
• 2 to 4 anchovy fillets
• ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1 (28-ounce) can whole plum tomatoes OR 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved (preferably mixed colors) and 3 1/2 cups diced Campari tomatoes
• 1 large basil sprig, plus more chopped basil for serving
• 8 ounces bocconcini or ciliegine, halved (or use mozzarella cut into 3/4-inch pieces)
• 1 pound of cooked pasta, such as rigatoni, for serving (tossed with pasta water, olive oil, or butter, as desired)

1. Heat oven to 400 degrees, preferably on convection. Pat chicken dry with paper towels. Season with salt and pepper.
2. In a large oven-proof skillet, warm oil over medium-high heat. Add pancetta and cook, stirring frequently, until browned. Use a slotted spoon to transfer pancetta to a paper-towel-lined plate.
3. Working in two batches, add chicken to skillet. Sear, turning only occasionally, until well browned on all sides, about 2-3 minutes per side. Transfer to a large plate.
4. Add garlic, anchovies and red pepper flakes to skillet; fry 1 minute.
5. Stir in tomatoes and basil. Cook, breaking up tomatoes with a spatula, until sauce thickens somewhat, about 10 minutes.
6. Return chicken to skillet. Transfer skillet to oven and cook, uncovered, until chicken is no longer pink, about 25 minutes.
7. Scatter bocconcini, ciliegine, or mozzarella pieces over skillet. Adjust oven temperature to broil. Return skillet to oven and broil until cheese is melted and bubbling, 2 to 3 minutes (watch carefully to see that it does not burn).
8. Garnish with pancetta and chopped basil before serving. Serve over pasta, as desired.

One Year Ago:

• Garlic Parmesan Chicken Lasagna Bake

Two Years Ago:

• Rigatoni & Cauliflower Al Forno

Three Years Ago:

• Kale & Spinach Calzones
• Gratin or Eggplant, Roasted Red Peppers, & Garlic

Four Years Ago:

• Smothered Pork Chops with Cornbread