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Chicken Saltimbocca with Crunchy Pea Salad

This vibrant chicken saltimbocca with crunchy pea salad is a fresh, modern take on a classic Italian favourite. By wrapping the chicken in salty prosciutto and fragrant sage before coating it in crisp panko breadcrumbs, you achieve a wonderful contrast of textures. The chicken remains succulent on the inside while the outer layer provides a satisfying, golden crunch that pairs beautifully with the zingy lemon dressing.

As a high-protein dish, this recipe is both nourishing and filling, making it an excellent choice for a midweek meal or a sophisticated weekend lunch. The accompanying salad of thinly sliced sugar snap peas and fresh mint adds a cooling, verdant lift to the plate. Serve it immediately with plenty of lemon wedges for a bright, citrusy finish that cuts through the savoury richness of the ham.

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Ingredients for Chicken Saltimbocca with Crunchy Pea Salad

  • 2 (230g) skinless, boneless chicken breasts

  • 3 large eggs, beaten to blend

  • 250g panko

  • 3/4 cup plain flour

  • Kosher salt

  • 8 sage leaves

  • 4 thin slices prosciutto

  • 475ml vegetable oil

  • 4 spring onions, very thinly sliced on a diagonal

  • 230g sugar snap peas, strings removed, thinly sliced

  • 1/2 cup mint leaves, torn if large

  • 2 teaspoons finely grated lemon zest

  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

  • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

  • Flaky sea salt

  • Lemon wedges (for serving)

Place a chicken breast on a cutting board. Holding a knife parallel to board and working along a long side, cut through centre of breast until you are 1/2" from the other side. Open like a book and place butterflied breast between 2 sheets of plastic wrap. Gently pound as thin as possible without tearing meat—about 1/4" thick and 8" wide is ideal. Repeat with remaining breast.

Place eggs, panko, and flour in separate shallow bowls (cake pans or pie plates work great). Season cutlets lightly with kosher salt. Working with 1 cutlet at a time, press 2 sage leaves onto both sides of meat. Wrap 2 pieces of prosciutto around each cutlet. Dredge in flour, shaking off excess. Dip in eggs, letting excess drip back into bowl. Coat in panko, pressing lightly to help it adhere, then shaking off excess. Place cutlets on a rimmed baking sheet.

Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high until very hot (an instant-read thermometer should register 177°C to 191°C). Carefully lower 1 cutlet along the side of the skillet closest to you and let it slide into oil so it’s lying flat. Swirl oil in skillet carefully so that cutlet is submerged and cook just until bottom side is golden brown, about 2 minutes. Using tongs, carefully turn and cook until golden brown on the other side, about 2 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack; season with kosher salt. Let sit 5 minutes. Repeat with remaining cutlet.

Toss spring onions, peas, mint, lemon zest and juice, and olive oil in a medium bowl; season with kosher salt. Arrange cutlets on a platter and top with pea salad. Sprinkle with sea salt; serve with lemons.

Disclaimer

While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate and up to date, individual needs may vary and dietary requirements can differ based on personal health conditions. Always check food labels and allergen information before preparing or consuming any recipe. If you have specific health concerns, allergies, intolerances, or are following a medically prescribed diet, seek advice from your GP, pharmacist, or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.

Article history

The information on this page is peer reviewed by qualified clinicians.

  • 28 Jan 2026 | Originally published

    Authored by:

    UK recipe editors

    Peer reviewed by

    UK recipe editors
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