Pollo alla sorrentina is always topped with eggplant and melted mozzarella. But what does that have to do with Sorrento? Naples and Sorrento are in the region of Campania, where the best mozzarella comes from, so it would make sense that it would be used for cooking there. In Italy, rarely do you find the name of a locale in the title of the dish. On the other hand, the names of many Italian American dishes seem to include cities in Italy. The choice seems to be driven by nostalgia, remembering and honoring one’s place of birth in the recollection of how things tasted there.
Recipe information
Yield
serves 4
Ingredients
Preparation
Step 1
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
Step 2
Slice open the chicken breasts crosswise to butterfly and use a meat mallet to pound them to an even thickness of about 1/2 inch. Season the chicken with the salt. Spread the flour on a plate. Lightly dredge the chicken in flour, tapping off the excess.
Step 3
Add 4 tablespoons of the butter and the olive oil to a large skillet over medium-low heat. When the butter has melted, add the chicken and lightly brown on both sides, about 2 minutes per side. Remove the chicken to a plate. Increase the heat to medium, and add the eggplant slices to skillet. Brown on both sides, about 3 minutes per side. Remove the slices to a plate lined with paper towels to drain.
Step 4
Discard the oil in skillet, and set it over medium-high heat. Add the remaining 3 tablespoons butter. When the butter is melted, pour in the white wine and bring to a boil. Adjust the heat so the wine is simmering rapidly, then lay the chicken breasts back in, in one layer. Lay a slice of ham over each chicken breast. Dollop about 2 tablespoons marinara on top of each piece of ham. Drop the remaining marinara in the spaces between the chicken breasts to make the sauce. Layer the sliced cheese on top of the sauce. Sprinkle the grated cheese over top. Bake until chicken is cooked through and cheese is browned and bubbly, about 20 to 25 minutes.
