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Mozzarella chicken rolls with spinach ricotta filling on a plate with melted cheese and marinara

Mozzarella Chicken Rolls with Spinach Ricotta Filling

Mozzarella Chicken Rolls are a crispy, comforting baked dinner featuring tender chicken wrapped around a creamy spinach ricotta filling and finished with melted cheese. This hearty recipe is a great choice for a flavorful weeknight meal or a satisfying gathering dish.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Italian-Inspired
Calories: 289
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Chicken
  • 2 lbs. boneless skinless chicken breasts (8 4-ounce pieces)
Filling
  • 5 oz / 140 g fresh baby spinach
  • 1 clove minced garlic and olive oil for sauteeing
  • 1/2 cup part-skim ricotta cheese
  • 1/3 cup beaten egg whites
Coating
  • 1 cup whole wheat Italian style bread crumbs
  • 6 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese, divided
Topping and Sauce
  • 3 oz / 85 g fresh mozzarella cheese, thinly sliced
  • 1 cup marinara sauce
  • fresh basil for topping

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Cut the chicken into 8 portions and pound each piece thin to create a larger surface for filling and rolling. Place the breadcrumbs in a shallow bowl with 2 tablespoons of Parmesan cheese and set aside.
Filling
  1. Chop the spinach and saute it with the garlic and a drizzle of olive oil for 2-3 minutes, or until just wilted.
  2. Mix the cooked spinach with the ricotta, remaining Parmesan cheese, and 2-3 tablespoons of the egg whites. Transfer the remaining egg whites to a separate shallow bowl.
Assembly
  1. Oil the bottom of a large baking dish and preheat the oven to 450°F (232°C).
  2. Place a chicken piece on a flat surface, add a spoonful of spinach ricotta filling to the center, and roll the chicken so the edges meet and form a seam.
  3. Coat each chicken roll in egg whites, then cover with the breadcrumb mixture. Arrange the rolls seam side down in the baking dish, leaving space between pieces, and repeat with the remaining chicken.
  4. Bake for 25 minutes.
Finishing
  1. After 25 minutes, cover the chicken rolls with marinara sauce and sliced fresh mozzarella.
  2. Bake for another 3-5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted.
  3. Sprinkle with fresh basil before serving.

Notes

Avoid placing the chicken pieces too close together in the baking dish. Leaving some space between each roll helps the breadcrumbs bake, brown, and become crisp.