Easy Chicken Valdostana – Comfort Food in 30 Minutes Recipe

Introduction

Chicken Valdostana is a comforting Italian-inspired dish that combines tender chicken cutlets with savory ham and creamy melted fontina cheese. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner that feels special without the fuss.

Ingredients

• 6 pieces thin boneless chicken cutlets
• Salt, to season
• Pepper, to season
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 cup white wine
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 eight-ounce package fontina cheese, sliced thin
• 6 slices black forest ham
• 1 tablespoon chopped parsley (optional)
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon salt

Instructions

1. Step 1: Chop the parsley if using and set aside for garnish. Carefully slice the fontina cheese thinly. Trim any excess fat from the chicken cutlets and gently pound them to tenderize.
2. Step 2: Season both sides of the chicken cutlets generously with salt and pepper. Mix the flour, garlic powder, and ½ teaspoon salt on a plate. Dredge each chicken piece in this seasoned flour mixture.
3. Step 3: Heat 2 tablespoons butter and 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium heat in a large skillet. Add chicken in batches and cook for about 3 minutes on one side until golden brown.
4. Step 4: Flip the chicken and cook for another 2 minutes until browned and cooked through. Remove chicken from the pan and set aside.
5. Step 5: Add ½ tablespoon butter and 1 tablespoon of the reserved flour mixture to the skillet to make a roux. Stir and cook briefly.
6. Step 6: Gradually whisk in the white wine and chicken broth. Cook until the sauce thickens slightly.
7. Step 7: Return the chicken to the pan. Top each piece with a slice of black forest ham and sliced fontina cheese. Cover the skillet and allow the cheese to melt.
8. Step 8: Serve immediately, garnished with chopped parsley if desired.

Tips & Variations

• Use thin chicken cutlets for quick cooking and a tender result. If unavailable, butterfly thicker breasts carefully and pound to even thickness.
• Substitute fontina cheese with mozzarella or provolone for a different but still melty flavor.
• For a richer sauce, finish with a splash of cream before serving.
• If you prefer, swap black forest ham with prosciutto or smoked ham.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat to preserve the creamy cheese topping. Avoid microwaving directly as it may cause the cheese to separate.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make Chicken Valdostana ahead of time?

You can prepare the chicken cutlets and sauce separately ahead of time but assemble and melt the cheese just before serving to keep it fresh and melty.

What can I serve with Chicken Valdostana?

This dish pairs well with simple sides like steamed vegetables, garlic mashed potatoes, or a crisp green salad to balance its richness.

Easy Chicken Valdostana – Comfort Food in 30 Minutes Recipe

---

★★★★★

4.7 from 109 reviews

• Author: Lila
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x

Pin Recipe

Print Recipe

Description

Chicken Valdostana is a comforting Italian-inspired dish featuring tender chicken cutlets topped with savory Black Forest ham and creamy melted fontina cheese, all cooked in a rich wine and chicken broth sauce. Ready in just 30 minutes, this recipe combines quick pan-frying with a luscious sauce for an elegant yet easy weeknight meal.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Chicken and Coating

• 6 pieces thin boneless chicken cutlets
• Salt, to season
• Pepper, to season
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon salt

Cooking Fats and Sauce

• 4 tablespoons butter, divided
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 cup white wine
• 1 cup chicken broth

Toppings

• 1 eight-ounce package fontina cheese, sliced thin
• 6 slices Black Forest ham
• 1 tablespoon chopped parsley (optional)

---

Instructions

1. Preparation: Chop the parsley finely if using to add a fresh garnish later. Thinly slice the fontina cheese for easy melting. Trim any excess fat from the chicken cutlets and gently pound them to tenderize evenly.
2. Seasoning and Dredging: Generously season both sides of each chicken cutlet with salt and pepper. In a plate, combine the all-purpose flour with garlic powder and salt. Dredge each piece of chicken in this seasoned flour mixture, coating thoroughly.
3. Initial Cooking: Melt half of the butter (2 tablespoons) and all the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken pieces in batches to avoid overcrowding and cook for about 3 minutes on one side until nicely browned.
4. Flip and Finish Browning: Turn the chicken pieces over and cook for an additional 2 minutes until browned and nearly cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
5. Make the Sauce: In the same skillet, add ½ tablespoon of butter and 1 tablespoon of the reserved flour used for dredging. Stir continuously to make a roux for about 1 minute to remove any raw flour taste.
6. Add Liquids: Gradually pour in the white wine and chicken broth while stirring to combine. Let the sauce simmer until it thickens slightly, about 3-5 minutes.
7. Assemble and Melt Cheese: Return the chicken pieces to the skillet, spooning the sauce over them. Top each cutlet with a slice of Black Forest ham and then a slice of fontina cheese. Cover the pan and cook for a few minutes until the cheese melts thoroughly.
8. Serve: Once the cheese is melted and bubbly, remove from heat. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired and serve immediately for best texture and flavor.

Notes

• Use thin chicken cutlets for quick and even cooking; pounding to uniform thickness helps with tenderness.
• Black Forest ham can be substituted with prosciutto or any thinly sliced cured ham.
• Ensure the cheese is sliced thinly to melt quickly and evenly.
• Simmer the sauce gently to avoid it becoming too thick or too thin; adjust with additional broth if needed.
• This dish pairs well with a simple pasta, risotto, or steamed vegetables for a complete meal.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Italian

Keywords: Chicken Valdostana, Fontina Cheese Chicken, Italian Chicken Recipe, Chicken with Ham and Cheese, Quick Chicken Dinner, Comfort Food