Italian Chicken And Spinach Roll
Italian Chicken And Spinach Roll features tender chicken breasts filled with a savory spinach and cheese mixture, baked to perfection and served with spaghetti sauce for a hearty Italian-inspired meal.
Ingredients
- 1 pkg. (9 x 13-inch) phyllo pastry dough ⓘ
- 6 boneless chicken breasts
- 6 oz. shredded Swiss cheese ⓘ
- 3/4 cup ricotta cheese ⓘ
- 1/2 large onion, finely chopped ⓘ
- 1 large clove garlic, peeled and crushed ⓘ
- 1 heaping tablespoon green bottled peppercorns, drained ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon salt ⓘ
- 1 pkg. frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained ⓘ
- Warmed spaghetti sauce ⓘ
- 4 sticks unsalted butter ⓘ
Instructions
- Pound the chicken breasts until about 1/8-inch thick.
- Combine the shredded Swiss cheese, ricotta cheese, chopped onion, crushed garlic, green peppercorns, salt, and drained chopped spinach to make the filling mixture.
- Place about 1/3 cup of the mixture on each chicken breast and spread it out evenly.
- Roll the chicken breasts around the spinach mixture to form a roll.
- Wrap the rolls in phyllo pastry or secure with toothpicks if needed.
- Bake the rolls in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for about 30 minutes or until cooked through and golden.
- Serve hot with warmed spaghetti sauce spooned over the top.
Tips & Substitutions
For added flavor, consider marinating the chicken in olive oil, lemon juice, and herbs before pounding it out. If you don't have Swiss cheese, mozzarella or provolone can be good alternatives. Make sure to squeeze out as much moisture from the spinach as possible to avoid soggy rolls. You can also use fresh spinach if available; just sauté it briefly before mixing with the cheeses.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the Italian Chicken And Spinach Rolls hot, drizzled with warmed spaghetti sauce for added richness. They pair wonderfully with a side of Garlic Linguini or a fresh salad to balance the meal. For an Italian-themed dinner, consider serving with Theresa's Marinara Sauce for extra flavor or alongside a light vegetable dish.
Storage & Reheating
Leftover chicken rolls can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place them in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 15-20 minutes until heated through. This helps retain their crispiness, especially if you cover them loosely with foil to prevent drying out.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Italian Chicken And Spinach Roll contains roughly 637 calories, with 19g protein, 21g carbohydrates, and 53g fat. It is an excellent source of protein (38% of the Daily Value) and calcium (27% of the Daily Value), and a good source of vitamin A. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1611mg per serving (70% 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 prepare the chicken rolls in advance?
Yes, you can prepare the chicken rolls ahead of time and refrigerate them before baking. Just wrap them tightly in plastic wrap to maintain freshness. When ready to serve, bake them directly from the fridge, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time to ensure they are heated through.
What can I substitute for phyllo pastry?
If you don't have phyllo pastry, you can use puff pastry as a substitute. It will give a different texture but still provide a flaky exterior. Alternatively, you can omit the pastry altogether and simply bake the chicken rolls as they are; just be sure to grease your baking dish well to prevent sticking.
Can I freeze these chicken rolls?
Yes, you can freeze the cooked chicken rolls. Allow them to cool completely, then wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and place in a freezer bag. They can be stored for up to 2 months. To reheat, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and then bake at 350°F (175°C) until warmed through.
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).