Chicken Spinach Cheese Roll (Printer-Friendly Version)
Tender chicken rolled with spinach and cheese, baked to golden perfection with marinara and melted cheese.
# What You'll Need:
→ Chicken
01 -
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, pounded to 0.25 inch thickness
02 -
0.5 teaspoon salt
03 -
0.5 teaspoon black pepper
04 -
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
05 -
1 tablespoon olive oil, for brushing
→ Filling
06 -
1 cup ricotta cheese
07 -
0.5 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
08 -
0.25 cup grated Parmesan cheese
09 -
1 cup fresh spinach, chopped and sautéed (or thawed and drained frozen spinach)
10 -
1 clove garlic, minced
11 -
0.25 teaspoon nutmeg (optional)
→ Coating
12 -
1 cup Italian-style breadcrumbs
13 -
0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese
14 -
2 eggs, beaten
15 -
0.25 cup all-purpose flour, for dredging
→ Topping (Optional)
16 -
1 cup marinara sauce
17 -
0.5 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
18 -
Fresh basil or parsley, chopped, for garnish
# Steps to Follow:
01 -
Place chicken breasts between parchment sheets and gently pound with a meat mallet until uniformly 0.25 inch thick. Season both sides evenly with salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning.
02 -
In a mixing bowl, blend ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan, sautéed spinach, minced garlic, and nutmeg until creamy and fully incorporated.
03 -
Spoon 2 to 3 tablespoons of the filling onto the center of each chicken breast. Roll each breast tightly, tucking sides in, then secure with toothpicks or kitchen twine.
04 -
Set up dredging stations with flour, beaten eggs, and a mixture of Italian-style breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese. Dredge each roll first in flour, then dip in egg, and finally coat thoroughly with breadcrumb mixture. Position rolls seam-side down in a greased baking dish.
05 -
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly brush each rollatini with olive oil. Bake uncovered for 25 to 30 minutes until chicken is cooked through and coating turns golden brown.
06 -
Distribute marinara sauce evenly over each baked roll. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese on top. Return to oven for 5 to 7 minutes until cheese melts and bubbles. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley before serving.
# Additional Tips:
01 -
Pounding chicken ensures even thickness and facilitates rolling. Nutmeg contributes subtle warmth but may be omitted. Prepare rollatini ahead, refrigerate, and bake fresh before serving.