Some nights you want a dinner that feels a little fancy, but you also don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen. Baked chicken rollatini is perfect for those nights. Just a few simple steps transform everyday chicken into something a little more special. With tender chicken, creamy ricotta, fresh spinach, savory marinara, and melted mozzarella, it’s a surprisingly easy Italian-inspired dish to shake up your weeknight routine.
How Do You Make Baked Chicken Rollatini?
To make baked chicken rollatini, flatten the chicken breasts into thin cutlets, spread a ricotta-and-spinach mixture over each piece, then roll them tightly. Arrange the rolls in a baking dish with marinara sauce, then top them with mozzarella and Parmesan. Bake until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F, and the cheese turns golden and bubbly.
The Butcher Shop’s Baked Chicken Rollatini
Ingredients:
- 4 boneless, skinless TBS chicken breasts (about 1½ pounds total)
- 1 cup whole-milk ricotta cheese
- 1 cup fresh spinach, finely chopped
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- 1 large egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1½ cups marinara sauce
- Fresh basil or parsley for garnish (optional)
Directions:
1. Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with olive oil.
2. Prep the Chicken
Slice each chicken breast horizontally to create two thin cutlets. Place each cutlet between sheets of plastic wrap and gently pound to approximately ¼-inch thickness using a meat mallet or rolling pin. You should have eight cutlets.
3. Make the Filling
In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, chopped spinach, ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, ½ cup mozzarella cheese, egg, minced garlic, and Italian seasoning. Stir until everything is evenly combined.
4. Fill and Roll the Chicken
Sprinkle the chicken cutlets with salt and black pepper. Spread approximately 2 tablespoons of the ricotta mixture over each cutlet, leaving a small border around the edges. Starting at the narrow end, carefully roll each cutlet around the filling. Secure the rolls with toothpicks if necessary.
5. Assemble the Baking Dish
Spread ½ cup of marinara sauce across the bottom of the baking dish. Arrange the chicken rolls seam side down in a single layer. Spoon the remaining mariana over the rolls.
6. Bake the Chicken
Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil, sprinkle the remaining ½ cup of mozzarella and ¼ cup of Parmesan over the rolls, and return the dish to the oven. Continue baking for approximately 10–15 minutes, or until the thickest part of the chicken reaches 165°F. Check the chicken itself, not the cheese filling, when using your meat thermometer.
7. Rest and Serve
Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes. Remove any toothpicks, garnish with fresh basil or parsley, and serve with your favorite sides.
Butcher’s Tips for Success
- Don’t overfill the rolls: A thin, even layer gives your baked chicken rollatini plenty of creamy flavor and helps each roll hold its shape.
- Remove moisture from the spinach: If you’re using frozen spinach, squeeze out as much water as possible to prevent the filling from getting watery.
- Make ahead: Assemble the chicken rolls, arrange them in the baking dish with marinara sauce, cover tightly, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking.
Looking for More Chicken Recipes?
Chicken Marsala
Chicken Cordon Bleu
Creamy Chicken with Spinach & Mushrooms
Put Baked Chicken Rollatini on Your Family’s Table with The Butcher Shop
Some recipes look impressive and require more steps or ingredients. Baked chicken rollatini, however, has a beautiful presentation and straightforward prep. Served alongside garlic butter pasta, roast asparagus, or a Caesar salad, it’s perfect for special occasions or when you just feel like trying something new.
We recommend boneless, skinless chicken breasts for this recipe, and when it comes from The Butcher Shop, you know you’re putting quality ingredients on your family’s table. All of our meats and seafood are 100% natural and locally sourced. We hold our farm-fresh produce, grocery items, and even our dog food to the same high standards. Stop by today or give us a call to pre-order your ingredients.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between chicken rollatini and chicken Parmesan?
Chicken rollatini features thin chicken cutlets rolled around a creamy filling, typically ricotta cheese, spinach, and seasonings. Chicken Parmesan traditionally features breaded chicken cutlets topped with marinara sauce and melted cheese. Both dishes include delicious Italian-inspired flavors, but chicken rollatini adds a rich, cheesy filling inside the chicken.
Can you make baked chicken rollatini without ricotta cheese?
Yes! You can substitute cottage cheese or a mixture of cream cheese and mozzarella for ricotta. If you use cottage cheese, drain any excess liquid first to prevent a watery filling.
Can you use frozen spinach in chicken rollatini?
Absolutely! Frozen spinach works well in baked chicken rollatini. Thaw it completely, then squeeze out as much moisture as possible before mixing it with the ricotta cheese. For this recipe, substitute approximately ⅓ cup of thawed, well-drained frozen spinach for one cup of fresh chopped spinach.