Zesty Pesto Chicken Roll-Ups Recipe: Dinner Magic in a Bite

Pesto chicken roll-ups reinvent ordinary dinner into a culinary adventure that sparks excitement at the table.

Creamy, herbal, and packed with vibrant flavors, these roll-ups elevate simple ingredients into something extraordinary.

Tender chicken becomes a canvas for bright green pesto, creating a dish that feels both elegant and approachable.

Each bite promises a perfect balance of savory protein and aromatic herbs wrapped in a delightful spiral.

Mediterranean-inspired techniques merge with home-style cooking to produce a meal that impresses without overwhelming.

Weeknight dinners gain a touch of gourmet flair with minimal effort and maximum satisfaction.

You’ll love how quickly these roll-ups come together, turning an average evening into a memorable dining experience.

Sides and Sauces for Pesto Chicken Roll-Ups

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: Complement the rich, herbal pesto and creamy cheese with a chilled Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio. These light, zesty wines cut through the richness and enhance the dish's vibrant flavors.
• Serve Alongside Fresh Caprese Salad: Create a perfect Mediterranean-inspired plate by adding a side of sliced tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and basil drizzled with olive oil. The fresh, light salad balances the warm, cheesy chicken rolls.
• Rustic Garlic Bread Companion: Prepare herb-infused garlic bread to soak up the delicious pesto cream sauce. The crusty, garlicky bread adds texture and helps capture every last drop of the flavorful sauce.
• Roasted Vegetable Medley Sidekick: Roast zucchini, bell peppers, and eggplant with a touch of olive oil and herbs. These caramelized vegetables provide a colorful, nutritious accompaniment that complements the chicken's rich flavors.

Fun Variations for Pesto Chicken Wraps

• Mediterranean Herb Fusion: Swap traditional pesto with a blend of oregano, thyme, and basil, adding crumbled feta cheese and chopped kalamata olives for a Greek-inspired version.
• Spicy Southwestern Spin: Replace pesto with chipotle cream sauce, incorporate roasted green chiles, and top with pepper jack cheese for a zesty Mexican-style roll-up.
• Creamy Italian Garden: Introduce ricotta cheese mixed with spinach and roasted red peppers inside the chicken roll, using a light Alfredo sauce as a complementary coating.
• Mediterranean Seafood Alternative: Substitute chicken with thin white fish fillets like tilapia, using a lemony herb pesto and adding capers for a lighter, ocean-inspired approach.

Why Pesto Chicken Roll-Ups Are Great for Dinner or Lunch

• Boost Flavor Complexity: Combine zesty pesto, sun-dried tomatoes, and multiple cheeses that create a Mediterranean-inspired taste explosion, delivering layers of savory goodness in every single bite.
• Elevate Cooking Technique: Transform basic chicken into an elegant dish through strategic rolling, searing, and baking methods that upgrade ordinary meal preparation into a chef-worthy experience with minimal professional skills required.
• Quick Weeknight Winner: Prepare this entire meal in under 45 minutes, making it perfect for busy families wanting delicious dinners without spending hours in the kitchen, with simple steps that guarantee impressive results every single time.
• Cheese Lover's Dream: Indulge in melted mozzarella and Parmesan that blanket tender chicken, creating a gooey, rich topping that adds luxurious texture and irresistible comfort food appeal for cheese enthusiasts.

What Goes in Pesto Chicken Roll-Ups

Main Ingredients:

• Chicken Breasts: Lean protein that serves as the main canvas for the roll-ups, best when fresh and evenly sliced.
• Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Adds sweet-tangy depth and concentrated tomato flavor to the chicken.

• Mozzarella Cheese, Parmesan Cheese: Creamy melting cheeses that provide rich, sharp flavor and luxurious texture.

• Salt, Pepper, Garlic Powder: Essential seasonings that enhance and balance the overall taste profile of the dish.

Pesto Ingredients:

• Basil Leaves: Fresh herb that creates the classic, aromatic foundation of traditional pesto.
• Pine Nuts: Provides subtle nutty undertones and creamy texture to the pesto.

• Garlic, Parmesan Cheese: Adds intense flavor complexity and sharp, salty notes to the pesto.

• Olive Oil: Smooth liquid that helps blend and unite all pesto ingredients, creating a cohesive sauce.

• Heavy Cream: Creates a rich, silky sauce that adds luxurious moisture to the chicken roll-ups.

How to Roll and Bake Pesto Chicken the Right Way

Step 1: Prepare Oven And Chicken

Ignite the oven to 350°F. Grab chicken breasts and gently transform them into uniform cutlets using a sharp knife and meat mallet. Pat chicken dry with paper towels.

Step 2: Season Chicken Layers

• Kosher salt
• Cracked black pepper
• Garlic powder
• Italian herb blend

Step 3: Spread Vibrant Filling

• Fresh basil pesto
• Chopped sun-dried tomatoes
• Crumbled feta cheese

Step 4: Roll And Secure

Carefully roll chicken into tight spirals. Anchor each roll with toothpicks to prevent unraveling during cooking.

Step 5: Create Golden Exterior

Heat olive oil in cast-iron skillet. Sear chicken rolls until golden brown on all surfaces, creating delicious caramelized edges.

Step 6: Enhance With Creamy Sauce

• Heavy cream
• Extra pesto
• Chopped fresh basil

Step 7: Add Cheesy Topping

• Shredded mozzarella
• Grated Parmesan
• Optional red pepper flakes

Step 8: Bake To Perfection

Slide into preheated oven. Bake until chicken reaches 165°F internal temperature, approximately 20-25 minutes.

Step 9: Rest And Serve

Allow rolls to rest 5 minutes. Remove toothpicks. Plate with fresh herbs and enjoy warm.

Tips for Pesto Roll-Ups That Don’t Fall Apart

• Choose Fresh Pesto: Select homemade or high-quality store-bought pesto with vibrant green color and aromatic basil for maximum flavor intensity.
• Pound Chicken Evenly: Use a meat mallet to create uniform thickness, guaranteeing consistent cooking and preventing dry or undercooked sections.
• Secure Tightly: Use multiple toothpicks or kitchen twine to prevent unrolling during searing and baking, maintaining perfect roll-up shape.
• Control Cheese Melting: Add cheese during the last 5-7 minutes of baking to prevent burning and achieve golden, perfectly melted topping.
• Rest Before Serving: Allow chicken rolls to rest 3-5 minutes after baking, which helps redistribute internal juices and ensures tender, succulent meat.

Keeping Pesto Chicken Roll-Ups Fresh for Later

• Refrigeration: Store leftover Pesto Chicken Roll-Ups in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Properly sealed, they'll stay fresh in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
• Freezing: Wrap individual roll-ups tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. These can be frozen for up to 2 months without losing their delicious flavor profile.
• Reheating: Warm refrigerated roll-ups in the oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes, covering with foil to prevent drying. For frozen roll-ups, thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating, ensuring they emerge as tender and tasty as when first prepared.

Pesto Chicken Roll-Ups Recipe

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4.5 from 12 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Pesto chicken roll-ups deliver a Mediterranean-inspired culinary delight that combines tender chicken, zesty pesto, and melted cheese in one irresistible package. Rolled with care and baked to golden perfection, these roll-ups promise a delicious meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

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Proteins and Main Ingredients:

• 3 chicken breasts, sliced horizontally and pounded into cutlets for even thickness
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Pesto Ingredients:

• 2 cups loosely packed fresh basil leaves
• 3 cloves garlic
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• ⅓ cup olive oil
• ¼ cup pine nuts

Seasonings and Additional Ingredients:

• ½ cup finely chopped sun-dried tomatoes
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon pepper
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• 2 tablespoons olive oil for searing
• ½ cup heavy cream

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Instructions

1. Prepare the culinary canvas by heating the oven to 350°F (175°C), creating an ideal environment for transforming chicken into a delectable dish.
2. Delicately butterfly and tenderize chicken cutlets, creating uniform surfaces that will absorb flavors evenly and cook consistently.
3. Infuse the chicken with a harmonious blend of salt, freshly cracked black pepper, and aromatic garlic powder, elevating the meat’s natural essence.
4. Lavishly spread vibrant pesto across each cutlet, ensuring complete coverage and creating a verdant foundation for the roll-ups.
5. Sprinkle tangy sun-dried tomatoes strategically over the pesto, adding bursts of concentrated flavor and textural complexity.
6. Meticulously roll the chicken into compact cylinders, using toothpicks to secure the delicate parcels and prevent unraveling during cooking.
7. Heat olive oil in a skillet and gently sear the chicken rolls, developing a golden-brown exterior that seals in moisture and creates a tempting caramelized crust.
8. Transfer the seared rolls to a baking dish, combining remaining pesto with rich heavy cream and additional sun-dried tomatoes to create a luscious sauce.
9. Generously crown the chicken with a luxurious blend of melting mozzarella and sharp Parmesan cheeses, promising a decadent finish.
10. Bake until the chicken reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C), ensuring both perfect doneness and food safety.
11. Allow the dish to rest briefly, permitting juices to redistribute and flavors to meld, resulting in a succulent and harmonious final presentation.

Notes

• Culinary adventure begins with transforming simple chicken into a mouthwatering rolled masterpiece bursting with Mediterranean flavors.
• Selecting high-quality ingredients like fresh basil pesto, plump chicken breasts, and premium cheeses elevates this dish from ordinary to extraordinary.
• Precision in technique matters most – evenly pounded cutlets, careful rolling, and precise temperature control guarantee a restaurant-worthy meal that will impress family and friends.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 650
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 48 g
• Saturated Fat: 16 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 24 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 8 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 42 g
• Cholesterol: 150 mg