Parma-Wrapped Chicken with Mediterranean Vegetables is an impressive dish that brings restaurant-quality flavors to your home kitchen. This sophisticated recipe features tender chicken breasts wrapped in delicate prosciutto di Parma, creating a perfect balance of savory, salty flavors that complement the juicy chicken beautifully. The Mediterranean vegetables – including colorful bell peppers, zucchini, cherry tomatoes, and red onions – are roasted to perfection alongside the chicken, developing deep, caramelized flavors that transport you straight to the sunny coastlines of Italy and Greece. What makes this dish truly special is how the prosciutto becomes crispy while keeping the chicken incredibly moist, and the vegetables develop sweet, concentrated flavors that pair perfectly with the savory meat. This one-pan wonder is elegant enough for dinner parties yet simple enough for weeknight meals.
Recipe Information
- Serves: 4 people
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
Ingredients You Need
For the perfect Parma-wrapped chicken and vegetables, gather these quality ingredients:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 8 thin slices prosciutto di Parma
- 2 medium zucchini, sliced into half-moons
- 1 red bell pepper, cut into strips
- 1 yellow bell pepper, cut into strips
- 1 medium red onion, cut into wedges
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, torn
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Preparing the Chicken
Start by preheating your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Take the chicken breasts out of the refrigerator about 15 minutes before cooking to let them come to room temperature, which helps them cook more evenly.
Place each chicken breast between two pieces of plastic wrap or parchment paper. Using a meat mallet or rolling pin, gently pound the chicken to an even thickness of about three-quarters of an inch. This ensures the chicken cooks evenly and makes it easier to wrap with the prosciutto.
Season both sides of each chicken breast lightly with salt and pepper. Be gentle with the salt since the prosciutto is already quite salty and will add plenty of flavor to the chicken.
Wrapping with Prosciutto
Lay out the prosciutto slices on a clean work surface. Take each seasoned chicken breast and wrap it with 2 slices of prosciutto, overlapping them slightly to cover the chicken completely. The prosciutto should stick to itself and the chicken, creating a neat package. Press gently to help the prosciutto adhere to the chicken.
Place the wrapped chicken breasts on a large rimmed baking sheet, seam side down. This helps keep the prosciutto in place during cooking and ensures it becomes beautifully crispy.
Preparing the Mediterranean Vegetables
While you’re preparing the chicken, cut all your vegetables into similar-sized pieces so they cook evenly. Slice the zucchini into half-moon shapes about half an inch thick. Cut the bell peppers into strips, and cut the red onion into wedges. Halve the cherry tomatoes to help them caramelize better.
In a large bowl, combine all the prepared vegetables with the minced garlic. Drizzle with most of the olive oil, lemon juice, oregano, basil, thyme, salt, and pepper. Toss everything together with your hands to make sure all the vegetables are well coated with the seasoning mixture.
Arranging for Roasting
Arrange the seasoned vegetables around the prosciutto-wrapped chicken on the baking sheet. Make sure the vegetables are in a single layer as much as possible – this helps them roast properly instead of steaming. If your baking sheet seems crowded, use two sheets and rotate them halfway through cooking.
Drizzle the chicken with the remaining olive oil. This helps the prosciutto become golden and crispy while keeping the chicken moist underneath.
Roasting to Perfection
Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and roast for 25-30 minutes. The chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit when measured with a meat thermometer. The prosciutto should be golden and crispy, and the vegetables should be tender and lightly caramelized.
During cooking, you might want to gently toss the vegetables once after about 15 minutes to ensure even browning. Be careful not to disturb the chicken while doing this.
Checking for Doneness
The prosciutto should be crispy and golden brown, and the chicken should feel firm when gently pressed. The vegetables should be tender when pierced with a fork and have some beautiful caramelized edges. If the prosciutto is browning too quickly, you can tent the chicken loosely with foil while the vegetables finish cooking.
Let the chicken rest for about 5 minutes after removing it from the oven. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, ensuring every bite is moist and flavorful.
Adding Fresh Finishing Touches
While the chicken is resting, sprinkle the roasted vegetables with the torn fresh basil leaves and chopped parsley. The heat from the vegetables will release the wonderful aroma of the fresh herbs, adding a bright, fresh note that complements the rich, savory flavors.
Give the vegetables a gentle toss to distribute the herbs evenly. Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed – you might want a squeeze of fresh lemon juice or a pinch more salt.
Serving Your Elegant Meal
Transfer the prosciutto-wrapped chicken to individual plates or a serving platter. Arrange the colorful Mediterranean vegetables alongside the chicken, making sure to include all the delicious pan juices that have developed during roasting.
This dish pairs beautifully with crusty Italian bread, creamy polenta, or even simple roasted potatoes. A crisp white wine like Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc complements the flavors perfectly.
Tips for Success
The key to perfect Parma-wrapped chicken is not overcooking it. Use a meat thermometer to ensure accuracy, and remember that the chicken will continue cooking slightly while it rests. Choose vegetables that are similar in size so they cook evenly, and don’t overcrowd the pan. This impressive dish proves that elegant dining can be simple when you use quality ingredients and let their natural flavors shine through.
