Description
These baked chicken rolls are the kind of dinner that feels elegant but is surprisingly easy to pull off. Juicy chicken breasts are wrapped around a creamy herb-and-ricotta filling, lightly seared, then baked in marinara until tender. High in protein, full of flavor, and absolutely beautiful on the plate.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Flattened to ensure even cooking and easy rolling
Ricotta Filling
- 1 cup ricotta cheese – Smooth, creamy, and lighter than many cheeses
- ⅓ cup finely grated Parmesan cheese – Optional, but adds savory depth
- 2 cups fresh spinach – Roughly chopped; swap or skip if needed
- ¼ cup fresh basil – Finely sliced for bright, herby flavor
- ¼ cup fresh parsley – Adds freshness and color
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder – Or substitute minced fresh garlic
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
For Cooking
- 1 cup marinara sauce – Homemade or store-bought both work
- 2 tablespoons olive oil – Used for browning the chicken
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional) – Adds gentle heat
- Toothpicks or kitchen twine – Needed to keep the rolls secure
Instructions
- Set your oven to 375°F (190°C). Place the chicken breasts between sheets of plastic wrap and gently pound them until they’re about ½ inch thick.
- In a bowl, mix together the ricotta, Parmesan, spinach, basil, parsley, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until evenly combined.
- Arrange the chicken breasts flat and spread the filling over the center of each one. Roll them up snugly and fasten with toothpicks or kitchen twine.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken rolls and brown them on all sides, about 3–4 minutes per side.
- Move the seared rolls to a baking dish. Spoon the marinara sauce over the top.
- Bake uncovered for 20–25 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C).
- Let the rolls rest for about 5 minutes. Remove the toothpicks or twine, slice if desired, and serve warm.
Notes
- Don’t overload the filling or the rolls may burst while cooking.
- Sear until golden to build flavor and lock in moisture.
- Rest before slicing to keep the chicken juicy and tender.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 roll
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg