Description
Chicken Braciole is an Italian-inspired dish that transforms thinly sliced chicken breasts into tender, flavorful rolls filled with fresh herbs, cheese, garlic, and breadcrumbs, all simmered in a rich tomato sauce. This easy-to-prepare recipe delivers a healthy, protein-packed meal that’s perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions, impressing with its vibrant taste and elegant presentation.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, thinly sliced or pounded thin
Filling
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/2 cup Parmesan or Pecorino cheese, grated
- 1/3 cup breadcrumbs (use gluten-free breadcrumbs for gluten-free option)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (for filling)
For Cooking
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (for searing)
- 2 cups tomato sauce (simple marinara)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Carefully slice the chicken breasts horizontally or place them between plastic wrap and pound them evenly thin using a meat mallet. This ensures they are easy to roll and cook evenly without drying out.
- Make the Filling: In a bowl, combine minced garlic, chopped fresh basil and parsley, grated Parmesan cheese, breadcrumbs, salt, and pepper. Drizzle in olive oil and mix until the mixture reaches a spreadable consistency.
- Assemble the Rolls: Spread the filling evenly over each pounded chicken breast. Carefully roll each breast up tightly, securing with toothpicks or kitchen twine if necessary to keep the filling sealed inside.
- Brown the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear each rolled chicken piece until golden brown on all sides. This browning step adds flavor and helps seal in the juices.
- Simmer in Tomato Sauce: Transfer the browned chicken rolls to a pan with warm tomato sauce. Cover and let simmer gently over low heat for 25-30 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through and the flavors meld together.
- Serve and Enjoy: Remove toothpicks or twine before serving. Slice the rolls into pinwheels if desired, and spoon sauce over the top. Garnish with fresh basil leaves and a sprinkle of grated Parmesan or a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil for best flavor and presentation.
Notes
- Use a meat mallet between plastic wrap to ensure an even thickness for easier rolling and uniform cooking.
- Don’t skip the searing step, as it creates caramelization that enhances flavor and locks in juices.
- Fresh herbs brighten the filling and improve aroma significantly compared to dried herbs.
- Simmer gently over low heat to avoid drying out or toughening the chicken.
- Let the cooked rolls rest before slicing to keep them juicy and tender.
- For a gluten-free option, substitute breadcrumbs with gluten-free alternatives or crushed nuts.
- You can bake the assembled rolls covered in tomato sauce at 350°F (175°C) for 30-35 minutes as an alternative cooking method.
- Feel free to experiment with cheese types (mozzarella, fontina) or add a spicy kick with red pepper flakes.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Simmering and Searing (Baking alternative)
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 roll (approximately)
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 480 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg