Herbed Ricotta Stuffed Chicken Rolls for a Cozy Dinner Delight Recipe
Herbed Ricotta Stuffed Chicken Rolls are a delicious and cozy dinner option featuring tender chicken breasts stuffed with a creamy mix of ricotta, fresh spinach, and fragrant herbs. Seared to golden perfection and baked in a savory marinara sauce, these flavorful rolls make for an impressive yet easy-to-make meal.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken
- 4 pieces Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts – Pound them flat for even cooking (about 1/2 inch thickness)
For the Filling
- 1 cup Ricotta Cheese – Creamy and lower in fat
- 1/3 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese – Optional but recommended
- 2 cups Fresh Spinach – Can be omitted or replaced
- 1/4 cup Fresh Basil – Always opt for fresh
- 1/4 cup Fresh Parsley – Adds freshness
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder – Fresh minced garlic can be used
- Salt – to taste
- Pepper – to taste
For Cooking
- 1 cup Marinara Sauce – Consider using homemade or alternative sauce
- 2 tablespoons Olive Oil – For searing
- 1/2 teaspoon Crushed Red Pepper Flakes – Optional for spice
- Toothpicks or Kitchen Twine – As needed for securing rolls
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Chicken: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness of about 1/2 inch to ensure they cook evenly.
- Make the Filling: In a mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, grated Parmesan, fresh spinach, basil, parsley, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Stir the mixture until it is smooth and well incorporated.
- Assemble the Rolls: Lay the pounded chicken breasts flat on a clean surface. Spoon the herbed ricotta filling evenly onto each breast. Roll the chicken breasts tightly around the filling and secure them with toothpicks or kitchen twine to keep the rolls intact during cooking.
- Sear the Rolls: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Carefully place the chicken rolls in the skillet and sear them for 3-4 minutes on each side until they develop a golden brown crust.
- Bake in Marinara Sauce: Transfer the seared chicken rolls to a baking dish. Pour the marinara sauce over the rolls, adding crushed red pepper flakes if desired for some heat. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F (75°C).
- Rest and Serve: Remove the chicken rolls from the oven and let them rest for 5 minutes. Remove the toothpicks or twine, slice the rolls into pinwheels, and serve warm for a satisfying meal.
Notes
- Pounding the chicken to an even thickness ensures uniform cooking and tender rolls.
- Fresh herbs add the best flavor, but dried can be used in a pinch; adjust quantities accordingly.
- Spinach can be substituted with kale or omitted for a simpler filling.
- To make it spicier, increase the crushed red pepper or add a dash of hot sauce to the marinara.
- Leftover rolls can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Ensure the internal temperature reads 165°F (75°C) to guarantee the chicken is safely cooked.
Keywords: Herbed ricotta chicken, stuffed chicken rolls, baked chicken recipe, Italian chicken dinner, ricotta cheese chicken
