Chicken Involtini with a Hint of Italy
A Taste of Italy Made Simple! Chicken Involtini using Chicken Breast ★
I absolutely adore Italian cuisine, but it can often seem quite challenging to make at home. Let’s try a simplified version of Italian cooking! Brought to you by ‘Every Recipe in the World’ and ‘Man-Gae Recipe’.
Essential Ingredients
- 2 chicken breasts
- 4 slices of spring cheese (or mozzarella, sliced cheese, etc.)
- 1 sprig of thyme
- 1/3 cup white wine (approx. 50ml)
- 1 cup tomato sauce (approx. 150ml)
- 2 cloves garlic
- Pinch of salt
- Pinch of black pepper
- Olive oil for cooking
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Rinse the chicken breasts and pat them dry. Place each chicken breast between two sheets of plastic wrap. Using a meat mallet or the bottom of a heavy pan, gently pound the chicken breast until it’s about 0.5cm (1/4 inch) thick. This tenderizes the meat and helps it cook evenly.
Step 2
Season both sides of the flattened chicken breasts evenly with salt and black pepper. This light seasoning will enhance the natural flavor of the chicken.
Step 3
Place the spring cheese slices (or your chosen cheese) onto one end of each seasoned chicken breast. Carefully roll up the chicken breast tightly, enclosing the cheese. Secure the rolled chicken by inserting toothpicks at intervals to prevent it from unrolling during cooking.
Step 4
Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the thinly sliced garlic and sauté until fragrant, being careful not to burn it. Once the garlic is aromatic, add the chicken involtini to the pan. Sear the chicken on all sides until golden brown and nicely colored.
Step 5
Once the chicken is browned, pour in the white wine. Let it bubble and cook for about a minute, allowing the alcohol to evaporate. Add the sprig of thyme (if using). Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover the pan, and let the chicken cook through for about 5-7 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked completely and the cheese inside is melted and gooey.
Step 6
While the chicken is cooking, gently warm the store-bought tomato sauce in a separate saucepan or in the microwave. Having warm sauce will make the final dish more enjoyable.
Step 7
Carefully remove the cooked chicken involtini from the pan and discard the toothpicks. Let it rest for a minute before slicing it into bite-sized pieces, about 2-3 cm (1 inch) thick. Be gentle to avoid the melted cheese from spilling out too much.
Step 8
To serve, spoon some of the warm tomato sauce onto a plate. Arrange the sliced chicken involtini on top of the sauce. For a beautiful presentation, you can garnish with fresh basil or parsley. Enjoy your delicious Italian-inspired chicken dish!
