Il Cucinologo
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Chicken and Spinach Rolls

17/11/2023

Chicken and spinach rolls are a tasty dish that can be served either as a main course or as a one-plate meal when accompanied by a side of vegetables or a small salad. Here is the recipe to prepare chicken and spinach rolls, with a small Italian twist:

Ingredients

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

Preparation

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

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

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

  4. Slightly flatten the chicken breasts with a meat mallet to achieve a uniform thickness. This makes the meat more tender and facilitates cooking.

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

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

  7. In a large pan, heat a drizzle of oil and brown the rolls on all sides until golden.

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

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

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

Trivia

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