The main content

Chicken Paillard with Prosciutto, Melon and Mint Salad

Ingredients

  • 4 cups baby arugula

  • 1 cup loosely packed mint leaves

  • 1/4 cup picked tarragon leaves

  • 2 spring onions or 4 scallions, thinly sliced on an angle

  • 1/2 small hand melon (such as cantaloupe or Galia), peeled and seeded

  • 12 slices good quality Prosciutto di Parma (not too thinly sliced—you want ribbons of ham not shaved ham)

  • 4 6-ounce pieces boneless, skinless chicken breast

  • Salt and pepper

  • 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

  • 1 clove garlic, crushed

  • 2 to 3 tablespoons olive oil

  • 1/2 cup dry white wine

  • 2 lemons, divided

  • 1 tablespoon butter

Directions

Combine greens, herbs and scallions. Slice the seeded, peeled half melon into thin strips lengthwise then halve the slices across into thin planks about 2 1/2-inches long; combine the sliced melon with the greens. Cut the prosciutto slices lengthwise to make 2 ribbons from each slice; reserve.

Heat a large, nonstick or cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat.

Butterfly chicken pieces and pound very thin; season with salt, pepper and a little sprinkle of chili flakes. Add oil to pan, 2 turns, and crushed garlic. Cook 2 pieces of chicken 2-3 minutes on each side to golden; remove to a warm platter and cover. Add more oil to the pan, if necessary, and repeat with remaining chicken. Add wine to pan and deglaze; add juice of 1 lemon and swirl in butter to finish sauce.

Dress greens and melon with juice from remaining lemon, to taste, and drizzle salad with a little EVOO. Season with salt to taste.

To serve, place chicken on plates, spoon a little wine and lemon sauce over them and top with 6 loosely mounded ribbons of prosciutto and then some of the greens and melon salad.