Why This Chicken Rollatini Recipe is a Family Favorite

While eggplant rollatini often takes the spotlight, my family has always had a special place in our hearts for this incredible Chicken Rollatini. It’s truly the perfect dish to serve for dinner because it’s wonderfully filling, satisfying even the heartiest appetites. What’s more, it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, meaning the kids are sure to love it, making dinnertime a breeze. The rich, savory leftover sauce is a treasure in itself, requiring nothing more than some fresh pasta like spaghetti or linguine to create an entirely new, equally delicious meal.

Some might find chicken breast a bit uninspiring, but I assure you, there are endless ways to transform it. This recipe proves just how versatile chicken breast can be. Whether you’re making a sophisticated Restaurant-Style Chicken Marsala, a bright and lemony Chicken Francese, or even a simple yet perfectly executed Cast Iron Chicken Breast, it’s an ingredient that lends itself beautifully to various flavors and preparations. In this rollatini, the chicken serves as a tender canvas for an explosion of Italian flavors.

The secret to this dish’s irresistible charm lies in the flavorful ricotta filling. Its creamy texture and savory blend of cheeses and herbs perfectly complement the tender chicken breast, creating a truly memorable experience with every bite. I particularly love how a bit of the rich ricotta cheese gently melts and leaks into the tomato sauce as it simmers. This creates a beautifully “pink” and cheesy sauce that’s incredibly comforting and reminiscent of the delicious sauces found in my Authentic Italian Baked Ziti or our beloved Italian Pink Sauce with Sausage. It’s this delightful detail that elevates the dish from good to extraordinary, infusing the entire meal with a homely, authentic Italian essence.

Essential Ingredient Notes and Smart Substitutions

Crafting the perfect Chicken Rollatini starts with understanding your ingredients. Here’s a deeper dive into what you’ll need and how you can adapt the recipe to your pantry or preferences:

• Chicken Breast: The foundation of our rollatini. For the best results, you’ll want to butterfly your chicken breasts into 3-4 ultra-thin slices. This ensures even cooking and allows for easy rolling. After slicing, a gentle pounding with a meat tenderizer will further thin and tenderize the meat, creating a melt-in-your-mouth texture. If you’re looking for a vegetarian alternative, thinly sliced eggplant can be used, but you’ll need to skip the frying step and bake it with less tomato sauce to prevent it from becoming soggy.
• Prosciutto: This cured Italian ham adds a wonderful salty, savory depth that perfectly complements the creamy ricotta. Opt for good quality, thinly sliced prosciutto for the best flavor and texture. It’s a key flavor component, so don’t skip it!
• Crushed Tomatoes: The base of our rich simmering sauce. High-quality crushed tomatoes are crucial for authentic flavor. Look for brands that use ripe, sweet tomatoes, ideally San Marzano. If crushed tomatoes aren’t available, you can easily substitute whole plum tomatoes by pureeing them yourself, or use a good quality tomato puree. Avoid overly watery canned tomatoes.
• Ricotta Filling: This is truly the heart and soul of the dish, infusing the chicken with unparalleled creamy, savory flavor. Our blend typically includes whole milk ricotta for richness, mozzarella and Parmesan for cheesiness, fresh parsley, an egg for binding, and a touch of garlic, salt, and pepper for seasoning. For more in-depth tips and variations on achieving the perfect consistency and flavor, be sure to check out our dedicated ricotta filling recipe.
• Mozzarella: When it comes to melting beautifully, whole milk, low-moisture mozzarella is your best friend. Its lower water content means it melts smoothly without making your dish watery. Fresh mozzarella can be used for a more delicate flavor, but be aware it releases more moisture.
• Olive Oil: A staple in Italian cooking, extra virgin olive oil is used for searing the chicken and building the base of the tomato sauce. Its rich, fruity notes enhance the overall flavor profile.
• Flour: A light dusting of all-purpose flour on the chicken rolls creates a delicate crust when seared, adding texture and helping to slightly thicken the tomato sauce as it simmers.
• Garlic: Fresh garlic, both minced in the ricotta and sliced for the sauce, provides an essential aromatic foundation. Don’t use garlic powder for the sauce; fresh is key.

*Please see the recipe card below for exact measurements and further details on the ingredients.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Make Perfect Chicken Rollatini

While this recipe involves a few distinct stages, don’t be intimidated! Each step is straightforward, and once the rollatini are simmering in the sauce, the majority of the hard work is done. The result is a truly impressive and crowd-pleasing dish that’s well worth the effort.

Step 1: Prepare the Ricotta Filling. In a large bowl, combine the whole milk ricotta, mozzarella, grated Parmesan cheese, fresh chopped parsley, one egg (which acts as a binder), salt, black pepper, and minced garlic. Mix everything thoroughly until all ingredients are well incorporated and the filling is smooth and evenly seasoned. This can be prepared a day in advance to save time.

Step 2: Prepare the Chicken. Take your chicken breasts and carefully slice each one horizontally into 3-4 thin slices. For optimal tenderness and an even roll, place each slice between two pieces of plastic wrap and pound them gently with a meat tenderizer or the flat side of a mallet until they are about ¼ inch thick. This ensures they cook evenly and are easy to roll. Once tenderized, lay a single slice of prosciutto flat on each piece of chicken breast.

Step 3: Fill and Roll the Chicken. Spoon about 3 tablespoons of the prepared ricotta filling onto one end of each prosciutto-covered chicken slice, spreading it evenly but leaving a small border. Carefully roll up the chicken, ensuring the filling stays tucked inside. To secure the roll and prevent it from unraveling during cooking, firmly tie each piece with a piece of cooking twine. This is crucial for maintaining the roll’s shape and keeping the delicious ricotta filling intact. While toothpicks can work in a pinch, I highly recommend using cooking twine as it provides better stability and makes the searing process much easier and more effective.

Step 4: Dredge in Flour. Spread the all-purpose flour on a shallow plate or in a wide dish. Carefully roll each tied chicken rollatini in the flour, ensuring it is completely coated on all sides. This light coating will help create a beautiful golden crust when searing and contributes to slightly thickening the sauce. Do not flour the chicken too far in advance, as the moisture from the chicken will absorb the flour, leading to a less crispy result.

Step 5a: Sear the Chicken. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large saucepan or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Once the oil is shimmering, carefully place the flour-dredged chicken rollatini into the pan. Sear them on each side for about 1-2 minutes, until they develop a beautiful golden brown crust. The goal here is to get a nice color and lock in flavor, not to cook the chicken all the way through.

Step 5b: Remove and Repeat. Once nicely seared, remove the chicken from the pan and set it aside on a clean plate. To avoid overcrowding the pan and ensure even browning, do this in 2 batches if necessary. It’s normal for some of the ricotta cheese to leak out during searing; simply be gentle when flipping the chicken to minimize this.

Step 6: Prepare the Tomato Sauce. Lower the heat in the same saucepan to medium-low. Add another 2 tablespoons of olive oil, if needed. Stir in the sliced garlic and sauté for about 2 minutes, or until it becomes wonderfully fragrant and lightly golden. Be careful not to burn the garlic. Pour in the crushed tomatoes and bring the sauce to a gentle simmer. Allow it to simmer for 10 minutes to deepen the flavors, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.

Step 7: Simmer the Rollatini. Carefully add the seared chicken rollatini back into the simmering tomato sauce. Ensure they are mostly submerged in the sauce. Cover the pan and let them simmer for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F (74 degrees C). This slow simmer allows the chicken to become incredibly tender and absorb all the wonderful flavors of the sauce.

Step 8: Watch the Sauce Transform. As the rollatini simmer, you’ll notice the sauce will naturally lighten to a slightly orange or pink hue. This is due to the delightful ricotta that has gently mingled with the tomato sauce, adding another layer of creamy richness. Try to stir gently while simmering to avoid burning the sauce at the bottom of the pan and keep the chicken rolls intact.

Step 9: Serve and Enjoy. Once the chicken is cooked through, carefully remove the cooking twine from each rollatini. Transfer the chicken from the sauce to individual serving plates. Garnish with a generous sprinkle of fresh Parmesan cheese and a few fresh basil leaves. The remaining sauce is liquid gold – toss it with your favorite pasta, such as spaghetti or rigatoni, to serve as a perfect side dish. Complete your Italian feast with a fresh salad or your favorite vegetable, like our delightful Italian Cabbage Recipe!

Pro-Tips for Perfect Chicken Rollatini Every Time

Achieve restaurant-quality results with these expert tips and tricks:

1. Make the Ricotta Filling in Advance: To streamline your cooking process, prepare the ricotta filling up to a day ahead of time. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This allows the flavors to meld beautifully and reduces prep time on the day you plan to cook. Read more about ricotta filling tips here!
2. Always Use Cooking Twine: This is perhaps the most crucial tip! Using cooking twine to secure each rollatini is the best way to ensure that the delicious ricotta filling doesn’t leak out excessively during searing and simmering. Without it, the chicken tends to unravel, and you’ll lose that beautiful presentation and much of the creamy filling.
3. Don’t Fully Cook When Frying: Remember, the initial searing step is primarily for achieving a golden-brown crust and building flavor. The chicken doesn’t need to be cooked all the way through at this stage. It will finish cooking slowly and gently in the tomato sauce, reaching a safe internal temperature of 165 degrees F while remaining incredibly tender and moist.
4. Flour Just Before Searing: Avoid coating the chicken in flour too far in advance. If the flour sits on the chicken for too long, it will absorb moisture, becoming soggy. This prevents you from getting that desirable crisp golden brown crust when you fry it, which is essential for texture and flavor.
5. Choose Quality Prosciutto: The prosciutto adds a significant depth of flavor. Invest in good quality, thinly sliced prosciutto for the best taste and texture.
6. Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: When searing the rollatini, cook them in batches if necessary. Overcrowding lowers the pan’s temperature, leading to steaming instead of searing, which means a less crispy crust.

Recipe FAQs

What to Serve with Chicken Rollatini

The beauty of Chicken Rollatini lies in its versatility, making it easy to pair with a variety of sides to create a complete and satisfying meal. The number one accompaniment for this dish is undoubtedly pasta! Serve the tender chicken rollatini alongside the flavorful tomato sauce, mixed with perfectly cooked spaghetti, linguine, or even rigatoni to catch all that deliciousness.

• Fresh Salad: A crisp, refreshing salad provides a wonderful contrast to the rich flavors of the chicken rollatini. Consider a classic Caesar salad, especially with our Traditional Caesar Dressing and crunchy Homemade Italian Parmesan Croutons, or a simple mixed green salad with a light vinaigrette.
• Hearty Vegetables: This dish practically begs for a delicious and easy vegetable side. Complement the meal with some vibrant Italian Lacinato Kale Recipe (Tuscan), savory Sautéed Rapini with Garlic, or our incredibly popular BEST Garlic Parmesan Green Beans! Roasted asparagus or broccoli also make excellent choices.
• Crusty Bread: Don’t forget a good loaf of crusty Italian bread to soak up every last drop of that amazing sauce. Garlic bread would also be a fantastic addition.
• Decadent Dessert: Every good Italian meal deserves a sweet ending! Indulge in our delightful Pistachio Cream Tiramisu for an authentic Italian treat, or opt for something a little different with our Chewy White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookies!

Chicken Rollatini

Vincent DelGiudice