Herbed Ricotta Stuffed Chicken Rolls for a Cozy Dinner Delight Recipe
These Herbed Ricotta Stuffed Chicken Rolls make a cozy and flavorful dinner option. Tender chicken breasts are stuffed with a creamy mixture of ricotta, Parmesan, fresh herbs, and spinach, then seared to golden perfection before finishing off in the oven with a rich marinara sauce. Perfect for a comforting and elegant meal that’s easy to prepare.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Filling
- 4 pieces Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts (pounded flat)
- 1 cup Ricotta Cheese
- 1/3 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese (optional but recommended)
- 2 cups Fresh Spinach
- 1/4 cup Fresh Basil
- 1/4 cup Fresh Parsley
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
For Cooking
- 1 cup Marinara Sauce
- 2 tablespoons Olive Oil
- 1/2 teaspoon Crushed Red Pepper Flakes (optional)
- Toothpicks or Kitchen Twine as needed (for securing rolls)
Instructions
- Prepare the 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 and are easy to roll.
- 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 smooth and well blended.
- Stuff and Roll Chicken: Lay the flattened chicken breasts on a clean surface. Spoon an even amount of the ricotta filling onto each breast, then roll them up tightly. Secure each roll with toothpicks or kitchen twine to hold their shape 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 for 3-4 minutes on each side until they develop a golden brown crust, which adds flavor and texture.
- Bake with Sauce: Transfer the seared chicken rolls to a baking dish. Pour the marinara sauce evenly over the rolls, and if using, sprinkle with crushed red pepper flakes for a hint of spice. 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, then slice the rolls into pinwheels. Serve warm for a delightful, comforting meal.
Notes
- Pounding the chicken to an even thickness helps it cook uniformly and makes rolling easier.
- Fresh herbs can be substituted with dried, but use about one-third of the amount as dried herbs are more concentrated.
- If you prefer, fresh minced garlic can replace the garlic powder for a stronger garlic flavor.
- Use toothpicks or kitchen twine to keep the rolls secure during cooking to prevent the filling from spilling out.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently to maintain moisture.
- For a lower-fat version, use part-skim ricotta cheese and reduce the olive oil used for searing.
Keywords: herbed ricotta stuffed chicken, chicken rolls, baked chicken recipe, Italian stuffed chicken, cozy dinner, chicken with spinach and herbs
