Grill Out

Serrano-Wrapped Chicken Cutlets with Romesco Sauce

• Sauce
  • 1/3cup hazelnuts
  • 3/4cup roasted red peppers (from a jar), drained
  • 1/2cup lightly packed 1/2-inch cubes crustless sourdough bread or baguette
  • 1/3cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2teaspoons sherry vinegar
  • 1teaspoon paprika
  • 1large garlic clove, coarsely chopped
  • 1/4teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/8teaspoon ground black pepper
•  
  • 4boneless, skinless chicken breast halves (without tenders), each 4 to 6 ounces
  • 12medium-sized fresh sage leaves
  • 4ounces Manchego cheese, rind removed, cut into slices about 1/8-inch thick
  • 8slices serrano ham, each about 1/8 inch thick (4–5 ounces total)
  • Extra-virgin olive oil
• Dressing
  • 1tablespoon sherry vinegar
  • 1/2teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2teaspoon granulated sugar
  • 1/4teaspoon ground black pepper
•  
  • 8cups mixed baby greens

1. In a dry skillet over medium heat, toast the hazelnuts for about 3 minutes, shaking the pan often. Transfer to a clean kitchen towel and let cool for about 10 minutes. Wrap and rub the cooled nuts in the towel to remove the skins (some skin will remain). In a food processor combine all of the sauce ingredients. Process to create a slightly chunky sauce. Transfer to a small bowl, cover, and refrigerate. (The sauce can be made one day ahead. Keep refrigerated.)

2. One at a time, place each chicken breast, smooth side down, between two sheets of plastic wrap and pound to an even 1/4-inch thickness. Place the chicken, smooth side down, on a work surface. Lay three sage leaves on top of each piece of chicken and an equal amount of the cheese on top of the sage. Then wrap two slices of ham around each, staggering the ham slightly so the chicken is almost completely covered and the ends meet on the other side. Press the ham so that it adheres to the chicken. Lightly brush both sides with oil.

3. Prepare the grill for direct cooking over medium-high heat (400° to 500°F).

4. Brush the cooking grates clean. Grill the chicken cutlets, cheese side down first, over direct medium-high heat, with the lid closed as much as possible, until the chicken is cooked through and the ham begins to brown, 6 to 8 minutes, turning once after 3 minutes. To check for doneness, cut into the underside of one breast. The meat should be opaque all the way to the center. Remove from the grill and let rest for 3 to 5 minutes.

5. In a large bowl whisk the dressing ingredients. Slowly whisk in 1/4 cup oil until the dressing is emulsified. Add the greens to the large bowl and mix to coat them lightly. Divide the greens among four plates. Place one cutlet on each plate next to the greens and spoon some sauce over each cutlet. Serve warm.

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User Comments

Jan 20, 2012

2:10 PM

says...

Great recipe, but still, it breaks my heart to use real jamón serrano for this. Serrano is too good to have its taste changed by anything, best eaten "as is", along with the manchego, with olives and red wine.

With all due respect to JP, this recipe would be just fine using another, less exotic, flavorful aged ham, like prosciutto nazionale (in Italy), which also only costs about 1/4 of serrano.

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