Chicken Bundles Italian
Juicy chicken bundles with spinach and cheese wrapped in egg roll wrappers, baked to golden perfection—perfect for a savory, satisfying meal suitable for family dinners or entertaining guests.
Ingredients
- 2 medium chicken breasts ⓘ
- 2 cups sliced green onions ⓘ
- 1 tablespoon olive oil ⓘ
- 1 (10 oz.) package frozen chopped spinach ⓘ
- 1 cup low-fat Ricotta cheese or low-fat cottage cheese ⓘ
- 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese ⓘ
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder ⓘ
- 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano ⓘ
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg ⓘ
- 1/4 teaspoon lemon juice ⓘ
- 2 tablespoons butter or margarine ⓘ
- salt to taste ⓘ
- pepper to taste ⓘ
Instructions
- Bone, skin, and coarsely chop the chicken breasts to yield about 1 1/2 cups.
- In a large skillet, cook the chicken and sliced green onions in hot oil over medium heat until the chicken is no longer pink.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the partially thawed and drained frozen chopped spinach, Ricotta or cottage cheese, grated Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, dried oregano, ground nutmeg, and lemon juice; stir well.
- Add the cooked chicken and onions to the spinach mixture and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Lightly butter 8 (10-ounce) custard cups or a muffin pan.
- Line each cup with an egg roll wrapper and spoon in the chicken mixture evenly among them.
- Fold the ends of each wrapper over the filling to make a bundle and seal.
- Brush the tops of the bundles with the melted butter or margarine.
- Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 20 to 25 minutes until the tops are golden and cooked through.
- Loosen the bundles with a knife and carefully remove from the cups to serve.
Tips & Substitutions
For a quicker prep, use pre-cooked rotisserie chicken instead of raw breasts, saving time and effort. You can substitute the Ricotta cheese with low-fat cream cheese for a different texture. Adding a pinch of red pepper flakes can give it a nice kick. For a healthier option, consider using whole wheat egg roll wrappers.
Serving Suggestions
Serve these chicken bundles with a side salad or steamed vegetables for a complete meal. They pair beautifully with Italian Black-Eyed Peas With Pasta for a hearty dinner. For a lighter option, consider a simple marinara sauce drizzled over the top as a finishing touch.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place the bundles in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10-15 minutes until warmed through. This will help maintain their crispness from the egg roll wrappers.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Chicken Bundles Italian contains roughly 331 calories, with 19g protein, 43g carbohydrates, and 12g fat. It is an excellent source of iron (64% of the Daily Value), dietary fiber (51% of the Daily Value), and protein (38% of the Daily Value), and a good source of potassium. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 472mg per serving (21% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I freeze the chicken bundles before baking?
Yes, you can freeze the unbaked chicken bundles. Just wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe container. When ready to bake, thaw them in the refrigerator overnight and bake as directed, adding a few extra minutes to ensure they are heated through.
What can I substitute for spinach if I don’t have any?
If you don't have spinach, you can use kale or Swiss chard as a substitute. Both will provide a similar texture and flavor. Just make sure to chop them finely and sauté them briefly before adding to the cheese mixture to ensure they are tender.
How can I make this dish vegetarian?
To make this dish vegetarian, simply omit the chicken and add more vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, or mushrooms. You can also increase the amount of spinach and cheese to maintain the dish's hearty nature while keeping it delicious and satisfying.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).