Chicken and Spinach Rolls

Chicken and spinach rolls are a tasty dish that can be served as either a second course or as a main dish if accompanied by a side of vegetables or a light salad. Here is the recipe to prepare chicken and spinach rolls, with a little Italian twist:

Ingredients

  • 4 chicken breasts
  • 200 g of fresh or frozen spinach
  • 100 g of ricotta
  • 50 g of grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 clove of garlic
  • Extra virgin olive oil to taste
  • 4 slices of prosciutto
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Italian herbs of choice (for example, thyme or rosemary)
  • Kitchen twine or toothpicks to fasten the rolls
  • White wine for deglazing (optional)

Preparation

  1. Begin by washing the spinach and cooking it in boiling salted water for a couple of minutes. If using frozen spinach, follow the instructions on the package for defrosting and cooking. Afterwards, squeeze them well to remove excess water.

  2. In a frying pan, sauté a clove of garlic in extra virgin olive oil, then add the spinach, salt, and pepper, and sauté everything for a few minutes. Remove the garlic clove and allow to cool.

  3. In a bowl, mix the spinach with the ricotta and grated Parmesan cheese. If you prefer a richer and more robust flavor, you can also add a bit of grated nutmeg.

  4. Flatten the chicken breasts slightly with a meat mallet until they have an even thickness. This makes the meat more tender and will facilitate cooking.

  5. Place a slice of prosciutto on each chicken breast, then spread the spinach and ricotta mixture on top.

  6. Roll up each chicken breast to form the rolls, and secure them with kitchen twine or toothpicks.

  7. In a large frying pan, heat a little oil and brown the rolls on all sides until they are golden.

  8. At this point, you can deglaze with a little white wine and let it evaporate to give the rolls a more intense flavor.

  9. Lower the heat, cover the pan and cook for about 15-20 minutes, or until the rolls are cooked to the right point.

  10. Once cooked, remove the twine or toothpicks and serve the rolls hot.

Curiosity

Rolls are a very versatile dish in Italian cuisine, and can be filled in many ways, using vegetables, cheese, and even dried fruit. Moreover, they are often served with sauces or reductions to further enrich the flavor.