Quick Chicken with Sage and Crispy Ham

This is a fast, savory chicken dish built around contrast: soft meat, crisp edges, and a sauce that comes together almost by accident. It works best when you don’t overthink it and let the pan do the talking.

Ingredients

• Chicken breast cutlets, lightly flattened
• Fresh sage leaves
• Thin slices of cured ham (prosciutto-style or similar)
• Olive oil
• Butter
• Garlic, lightly crushed
• Dry white wine or light broth
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper

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Instructions

1. Lay the chicken cutlets on a board, season lightly with pepper, and press a sage leaf onto each piece.
2. Wrap or top each cutlet with a slice of ham, pressing gently so it sticks.
3. Heat olive oil in a wide pan and add the chicken ham-side down. Cook until the ham turns crisp and aromatic.
4. Flip the chicken, add a small knob of butter and the crushed garlic, and cook briefly until the meat is just done.
5. Remove the chicken to a warm plate.
6. Deglaze the pan with wine or broth, scraping up the browned bits, and let the sauce reduce naturally.
7. Spoon the sauce over the chicken and serve immediately.

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Serving Ideas:

• With mashed potatoes or soft polenta to catch the sauce
• Alongside a simple green salad with lemon
• With roasted vegetables for a fuller dinner

Also worth trying: American-Style Chicken, Antillean-Style Chicken, Indian-Style Chicken