I have a recipe that is so good and so easy, it doesn’t even make sense. It’s called chicken rollatini. Or if you want to call it by its Italian name, it’s Involtini di Pollo.
Whatever you decide to call it, it’s an awesome stuffed chicken dish.
I’m going to show you how to make a stuffed chicken breast that is going to have people thinking you really know your way around the kitchen. The beauty of this recipe is that anyone can make it.
Whether you’re a seasoned chef or it’s your first time throwing a dinner party… this is a recipe you should keep in your back pocket.
This recipe has everything you want in a chicken dish. It has a golden brown crust on the outside, it’s filled with gooey cheese and it’s covered in a delicious sauce.
Let’s start cooking.
What You Need to Make Chicken Stuffed With Mozzarella and Parma Ham
The ingredients are really simple for this dish. You’ll find everything you need at the grocery store.
Olive Oil. Get some good olive oil. It doesn’t have to be a really expensive oil, but it should be good enough to use on a salad.
Bread Crumbs. I like getting unseasoned bread crumbs and adding my own seasoning. If you prefer Italian style breadcrumbs that will also work fine.
Chicken. This recipe needs boneless chicken breast. I usually buy whole breasts and butterfly them myself. You can get chicken cutlets that have already been trimmed if you prefer.
Parma Ham. You need some nice thin slices of Parma ham. Parma ham is also called prosciutto. You can get it sliced at the deli counter or buy it pre-sliced in a vacuum sealed package in the supermarket.
Mozzarella. You need cheese for this stuffed chicken. I like using a low moisture mozzarella cheese because it has a good flavor and it melts nicely.
Roasted Red Peppers. You can buy good roasted red peppers in the jar or make them yourself.
Wine. This recipe needs some white wine. Something light and crisp will work fine. You don’t need anything expensive when you cook with it. I usually keep a bottle of chablis or pinot grigio in the house for cooking.
Chicken Broth. You can make your own chicken broth or buy it in a box. Either way will work.
Butter. I always like to add a little bit of butter to a pan sauce to make it smooth and silky. Use unsalted butter so you have more control over the seasoning.
Seasoning. As always, you’ll need some salt and pepper. I suggest Kosher salt and fresh cracked black pepper. In addition to the salt and pepper you should get some fresh sage leaves and dried red chili peppers. I used Calabrian chili peppers for this recipe.
How To Make Your Chicken Stuffed with Mozzarella and Prosciutto
The first thing you need to do is preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
Now, if you bought big, fat chicken breasts, the first thing you need to do is make some thin cutlets. Take a sharp knife, butterfly the chicken breasts, and pound them out nice and thin.
When you’re done doing this, make sure you wash your cutting board.
Once you have some thin cutlets, you want to lay them down flat on a cutting board and
season them with salt and pepper.
On top of each cutlet, place a slice of prosciutto, a slice of mozzarella cheese and a piece of roasted red pepper.
Now roll up the chicken cutlet nice and tight. Stick a toothpick in each end of the rolled up chicken to keep it closed. Set the stuffed chicken aside on a plate or baking sheet.
After you’re done stuffing the first one, do the same thing to the second chicken breast, and so on and so forth until they are all stuffed.
Now set up a simple breading station. Coat the stuffed chicken in flour, then an egg wash, then bread crumbs.
Take a large oven-safe saute pan and add a little oil. Place it on the stove at medium heat.
When the oil is hot, add the rolled chicken breasts to the pan. Sear the chicken all over. You will probably need to flip them a couple of times. They should be golden brown all over.
Add some minced garlic, a couple sage leaves, a sprinkle of salt, pepper and some chili pepper to the pan.
When the garlic starts to turn golden brown, add the wine and chicken broth to the pan and turn up the heat.
When the wine starts to boil, turn it down to a slow simmer and put the butter in the pan.
At this point you are starting to make a pan sauce. After a few minutes, the butter will melt and the wine will start to reduce.
Once the wine is reduced by about half, put the pan in the over for 20-25 minutes.
When the sauce is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon it should be done.
Remove the pan from the oven and let it rest for about 10 minutes. When the chicken is cooled down enough to touch, remove the tooth picks.
Slice the rolled and stuffed chicken into 1 inch round pieces. Place the sliced of stuffed chicken breasts on a plate and cover them with the wine sauce in the pan.
Serve with your favorite side dish and enjoy!
FAQs About Chicken Stuffed with Mozzarella and Prosciutto
Q: How do I keep the cheese from leaking out while baking?
To prevent the cheese from leaking out, ensure the chicken breasts are tightly rolled and secured with toothpicks or kitchen twine. Also, don’t cut into the chicken immediately after cooking; allow it to rest for a few minutes to let the cheese firm up.
Q: What herbs can I use besides sage?
If you don’t like sage or can’t find sage at the store, use fresh basil or parsley.
Q: What other cheese works well with this recipe?
You can stuff your chicken with Fontina, provolone or the Italian cream cheese called mascarpone.
Q: What else can I stuff the chicken breast with besides cheese and prosciutto?
You can also add spinach, sun dried tomatoes or artichoke hearts to your stuffed chicken breast.
Q: Can I prepare Chicken Stuffed with Mozzarella and Prosciutto in advance?
Yes, you can assemble the chicken rollatini up to a day in advance, refrigerate it, and then cook it just before serving. This makes it a great dish for dinner parties and other events where you need to manage your time effectively.
Q: Can I use a different type of cheese or ham?
While mozzarella and Prosciutto are traditional choices, you can definitely experiment with other types of cheese or ham. Some popular alternatives include cheddar cheese, blue cheese, or Swiss cheese, and for the ham, you can use Parma ham or even bacon.
What Should I Serve with these Chicken Rollatini?
Appetizer
A great appetizer is bruschetta made with cherry tomatoes, fresh basil and olive oil. Rub the bread with a garlic clove right after you toast it for extra flavor.
Bruschetta: Classic Italian bruschetta with tomatoes, basil, garlic, and olive oil is a fresh and light starter that won’t overshadow the main course.
Caprese Salad Skewers: These skewers are an easy-to-eat version of the traditional Caprese salad. They’re composed of ripe cherry tomatoes, fresh basil leaves, and mozzarella balls drizzled with balsamic glaze.
Prosciutto-Wrapped Melon: This appetizer pairs sweet cantaloupe or honeydew melon with salty prosciutto, setting up the palate for the similar flavors in the Chicken Rollatini.
Grilled Artichokes: Artichokes grilled with a touch of lemon and served with a garlic aioli can be a savory and enticing start to the meal.
Italian Antipasto Platter: An assortment of Italian cold cuts, cheeses, olives, and marinated vegetables can stimulate the appetite without being too filling.
Wine
Pour yourself a glass of Sicilian Etna Bianca. I’ve been drinking it recently and it is a great wine with chicken.\
White Wines: A crisp Pinot Grigio or a richer Chardonnay can both work well with this dish, balancing the saltiness of the ham and the richness of the cheese.
Red Wines: For those who prefer red wine, a light-bodied Pinot Noir can pair well, providing enough structure to handle the Parma ham without overwhelming the chicken.
Side Dish
If you want to keep it light, roast some zucchini, onions and eggplant in the oven with some fresh tomatoes. Toss the veggies in olive oil, salt and pepper before you put them in the oven.
Pasta: A light pasta dish such as spaghetti aglio e olio or linguine with a lemon garlic sauce can complement the flavors of the Chicken Rollatini.
Risotto: A creamy parmesan or mushroom risotto can add a rich, comforting side to this dish.
Vegetables: Grilled or roasted vegetables like asparagus, bell peppers, zucchini, or eggplant can provide a healthier side option. A fresh green salad with a light vinaigrette can also offer a refreshing contrast.
Potatoes: Roasted rosemary garlic potatoes or a creamy potato gratin can provide a hearty, satisfying addition to the meal.
Desserts
Tiramisu: This classic Italian dessert with its creamy, coffee-laced flavor makes a fitting end to this Italian meal.
Panna Cotta: A light, creamy panna cotta served with a fresh berry compote can offer a refreshing finish.
Cannoli: These Sicilian pastries filled with sweet, creamy ricotta can provide a delightful sweet conclusion to your meal.
Other Pairing Suggestions
Sides
Pasta: A light pasta dish such as spaghetti aglio e olio or linguine with a lemon garlic sauce can complement the flavors of the Chicken Rollatini.
Risotto: A creamy parmesan or mushroom risotto can add a rich, comforting side to this dish.
Vegetables: Grilled or roasted vegetables like asparagus, bell peppers, zucchini, or eggplant can provide a healthier side option. A fresh green salad with a light vinaigrette can also offer a refreshing contrast.
Potatoes: Roasted rosemary garlic potatoes or a creamy potato gratin can provide a hearty, satisfying addition to the meal.
Wines
White Wines: A crisp Pinot Grigio or a richer Chardonnay can both work well with this dish, balancing the saltiness of the ham and the richness of the cheese.
Red Wines: For those who prefer red wine, a light-bodied Pinot Noir can pair well, providing enough structure to handle the Parma ham without overwhelming the chicken.
3. Desserts:
Tiramisu: This classic Italian dessert with its creamy, coffee-laced flavor makes a fitting end to this Italian meal.
Panna Cotta: A light, creamy panna cotta served with a fresh berry compote can offer a refreshing finish.
Cannoli: These Sicilian pastries filled with sweet, creamy ricotta can provide a delightful sweet conclusion to your meal.
Remember, the best pairings are those that you enjoy the most, so feel free to experiment and find your favorite combination.
