Chicken Involtini
Thin chicken breasts rolled with spinach, ricotta, and pine nuts, then braised in a rich tomato sauce. A classic Italian dish that's elegant yet surprisingly easy to prepare.
- Total time
- 45 min
- Servings
- 4
- Calories
- 485
- Protein
- 48g
Ingredients
- 4 pieces boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 3 cups fresh spinach, roughly chopped
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- ⅓ cup pine nuts, toasted
- ½ cup Pecorino Romano cheese, grated
- 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 28 ounces canned crushed tomatoes
- 2 cloves garlic cloves, sliced
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 8 leaves fresh basil leaves
Instructions
- 1
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- 2
Place each chicken breast between plastic wrap and pound to 0.25-inch thickness using a meat mallet.
- 3
Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add spinach and 1 minced garlic clove, sauté until wilted, about 2 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel to cool and drain excess moisture.
- 4
In a bowl, combine ricotta, cooled spinach, pine nuts, Pecorino Romano, remaining garlic, salt, and pepper. Mix until well combined.
- 5
Lay each pounded chicken breast flat. Divide filling evenly among the four breasts, spreading it across the center, leaving a 1-inch border. Roll tightly from one short end, tucking in sides, and secure with toothpicks if needed.
- 6
Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Sear rolled chicken on all sides until golden, about 2 minutes per side. Remove and set aside.
- 7
In the same skillet, add sliced garlic and red pepper flakes, cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add crushed tomatoes and salt, stir to combine.
- 8
Return chicken rolls to the skillet, nestling them into the sauce. Transfer to oven and bake, covered, for 20 minutes until chicken is cooked through (165°F internal temperature).
- 9
Remove from oven, top with fresh basil leaves, and serve immediately over pasta or with crusty bread.
Tools you’ll need
- meat mallet
- plastic wrap
- large oven-safe skillet (12-inch)
- mixing bowl
- paper towels
- toothpicks
- instant-read thermometer
Cook smarter
Get matched recipes for what’s in your fridge
CookSnap is a free iOS app that finds real recipes from the ingredients you already have. No more grocery-list aspirations.
