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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- Prepare the culinary canvas by heating the oven to 350°F (175°C), creating an ideal environment for transforming chicken into a delectable dish.
- Delicately butterfly and tenderize chicken cutlets, creating uniform surfaces that will absorb flavors evenly and cook consistently.
- Infuse the chicken with a harmonious blend of salt, freshly cracked black pepper, and aromatic garlic powder, elevating the meat’s natural essence.
- Lavishly spread vibrant pesto across each cutlet, ensuring complete coverage and creating a verdant foundation for the roll-ups.
- Sprinkle tangy sun-dried tomatoes strategically over the pesto, adding bursts of concentrated flavor and textural complexity.
- Meticulously roll the chicken into compact cylinders, using toothpicks to secure the delicate parcels and prevent unraveling during cooking.
- 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.
- 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.
- Generously crown the chicken with a luxurious blend of melting mozzarella and sharp Parmesan cheeses, promising a decadent finish.
- Bake until the chicken reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C), ensuring both perfect doneness and food safety.
- 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