CHICKEN SALTIMBOCCA

SERVES 4

I use boneless, skinless thighs as the base of this recipe, and the prosciutto yields a fine, durable, crisp crust to the final dish. Be sure to cook it until it becomes a nice deep golden brown with an almost leathery texture, which softens slightly in the sweet marsala bath.

1 cup all-purpose flour

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

8 boneless, skinless chicken thighs

8 large fresh sage leaves

8 large slices prosciutto

¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil

4 shallots, thinly sliced

1 pound of a mix of cremini and oyster mushrooms, cut into ¼-inch pieces

1 cup sweet marsala wine

½ cup chicken stock

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

1 bunch fresh flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped (¼ cup)

Place the flour in a shallow bowl and season with salt and pepper. Lightly pound the chicken thighs to ¼-inch thickness. Season with salt and pepper and lay a sage leaf on each thigh. Lay 1 slice prosciutto over each thigh and fold in half like a book. Secure the two sides with a toothpick and dredge the whole piece in the seasoned flour.

In a 12- to 14-inch sauté pan, heat the oil until just smoking. Add the chicken and sauté until golden brown on both sides, then transfer to a plate. Add the shallots and mushrooms to the pan and cook until the mushrooms have sweated out their liquid, 5 to 6 minutes. Add the marsala and chicken stock and cook over high heat until reduced by half. Return the chicken thighs to the pan with the sauce and simmer for 3 minutes. Swirl in the butter, add the parsley, and serve.