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Baked mozzarella chicken rolls with spinach ricotta filling, marinara sauce, and melted mozzarella on a plate

Baked Mozzarella Chicken Rolls with Spinach Ricotta

Baked mozzarella chicken rolls are a comforting dish with a crispy breadcrumb coating, creamy spinach ricotta filling, and melted mozzarella finish. They are a flavorful choice for an easy weeknight meal or a satisfying gathering dish.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Italian-Inspired
Calories: 289

Ingredients
  

Chicken rolls
  • 2 lbs. boneless skinless chicken breasts (8 4-ounce pieces)
  • 1 cup whole wheat Italian style bread crumbs
  • 6 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese, divided
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
Finishing touches
  • 3 oz / 85 g fresh mozzarella cheese, thinly sliced
  • 1 cup marinara sauce
  • fresh basil for topping

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Cut the chicken breasts into 8 pieces and pound each piece thin to increase the surface area for filling. Combine the breadcrumbs with 2 tablespoons of Parmesan cheese in a shallow bowl and set aside.
Filling
  1. Chop the spinach and saute it with the garlic and a drizzle of olive oil for 2-3 minutes, just until the spinach begins to wilt. Mix the cooked spinach with the ricotta, remaining Parmesan cheese, and 2-3 tablespoons of egg whites. Transfer the remaining egg whites to a separate shallow bowl.
Assembly and Baking
  1. Oil the bottom of a large baking dish and preheat the oven to 450°F (232°C). Place one chicken piece on a flat surface, add a spoonful of spinach ricotta filling in the center, and roll the chicken so the edges meet with a seam.
  2. Dip each chicken roll into the egg whites, coat it with the breadcrumb mixture, and place it seam side down in the baking dish. Repeat with the remaining chicken pieces, leaving space between each roll. Bake for 25 minutes.
Finishing
  1. After 25 minutes, check that the chicken is cooked through and browned on top. Add the marinara sauce and sliced fresh mozzarella over the rolls, then bake for another 3-5 minutes until the cheese is melted. Finish with fresh basil.

Notes

Avoid placing the chicken rolls too close together in the baking dish. Leaving space between pieces helps the breadcrumb coating bake, brown, and become crisp instead of staying soft where the sides touch.