Description
Delightful chicken rollatini brings Italian-inspired elegance to home kitchens with simple ingredients and bold flavors. Crispy exterior and tender chicken interior promise a satisfying meal that delights dinner companions and makes weeknight cooking feel special.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 2 large chicken breasts
- 8 slices large deli-style pepperoni
- 4 slices mozzarella cheese (such as Sargento, not fresh mozzarella)
Coating and Seasoning:
- 1/2 cup gluten-free breadcrumbs or pork rind panko (if keto)
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
Binding:
- 2 eggs, beaten
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Carefully slice chicken breasts horizontally, creating four uniform thin cutlets. Gently pound each piece between plastic wrap until evenly flattened to approximately 1/4 inch thickness.
- Layer two pepperoni slices and one mozzarella slice across each chicken cutlet. Use toothpicks to secure the ingredients in place if necessary.
- Individually wrap each chicken cutlet tightly in plastic wrap, ensuring a compact roll. Refrigerate for one hour to help maintain shape and enhance flavor infusion.
- Prepare two separate coating stations: one with whisked eggs and another with a seasoned breadcrumb mixture combining Parmesan, Italian herbs, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Carefully remove plastic wrap from chilled chicken rolls. Dip each roll first into beaten eggs, then thoroughly coat with seasoned breadcrumb mixture, ensuring complete coverage.
- Transfer breaded chicken rolls to freezer for 15 minutes. Simultaneously, preheat oven to 400°F to ensure consistent cooking temperature.
- Place prepared chicken rolls in a lightly greased baking dish. Lightly spray with olive oil to enhance crispiness. Bake for 25-30 minutes, confirming doneness when internal temperature reaches 165°F.
Notes
- Choose chicken breasts of similar size to ensure even cooking and consistent roll thickness.
- Pound chicken gently to prevent tearing and maintain an even thickness for better rolling and cooking.
- Use toothpicks sparingly and remember to remove them before serving to avoid accidentally biting into one.
- Refrigerating the rolled chicken helps it hold shape and prevents unraveling during breading and baking.
- Freeze breaded chicken briefly to help breading adhere better and create a crispier exterior.
- Spray with olive oil to enhance golden browning and prevent dryness during baking.
- Swap pepperoni with ham or prosciutto for different flavor profiles or dietary preferences.
- Replace mozzarella with low-fat cheese or dairy-free alternatives for lighter or vegan options.
- Check internal temperature with a meat thermometer to guarantee food safety and perfectly cooked chicken.
- Prep Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 900mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 170mg