Italian stuffed chicken roll ups

Italian stuffed chicken roll-ups are a delicious and versatile dish that can be tailored to various tastes. Here’s a classic recipe that includes a filling of spinach, ricotta, and sun-dried tomatoes, all wrapped in tender chicken breast and baked to perfection.

Ingredients:

For the Chicken Roll-Ups:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 cup fresh spinach, chopped
• 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for a bit of heat)
• 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup marinara sauce

For the Breading (optional):

• 1 cup breadcrumbs
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 eggs, beaten

Instructions:

Prepare the Chicken:

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Flatten the Chicken: Place a chicken breast between two sheets of plastic wrap or wax paper. Using a meat mallet or rolling pin, pound the chicken to an even thickness of about 1/4 inch. Repeat with the remaining chicken breasts.
3. Season: Lightly season both sides of each chicken breast with salt and pepper.

Make the Filling:

4. Mix Filling: In a medium bowl, combine the chopped spinach, ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Mix well until all ingredients are thoroughly combined.

Assemble the Roll-Ups:

5. Add Filling: Spoon about 2 tablespoons of the filling mixture onto the center of each flattened chicken breast. Spread the filling evenly, leaving a small border around the edges.
6. Roll and Secure: Carefully roll up each chicken breast, starting from the narrow end, and secure the roll with toothpicks to prevent unrolling during cooking.

Optional Breading:

7. Prepare Breading: In a shallow dish, combine the breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese. Place the beaten eggs in another shallow dish.
8. Bread Chicken: Dip each chicken roll-up first in the beaten eggs, then roll in the breadcrumb mixture until evenly coated.

Bake the Chicken:

9. Prepare Baking Dish: Lightly grease a baking dish or line it with parchment paper.
10. Add Sauce and Cheese: Place the chicken roll-ups in the prepared baking dish. Spoon marinara sauce over the top of each roll-up and sprinkle with shredded mozzarella cheese.
11. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the cheese is melted and bubbly. If using a meat thermometer, the internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165°F (74°C).

Serve:

12. Rest and Serve: Let the chicken roll-ups rest for a few minutes after baking. Remove the toothpicks, slice if desired, and serve with extra marinara sauce and a side of your choice, such as pasta, salad, or garlic bread.

Enjoy your delicious Italian stuffed chicken roll-ups!