Quick & Tasty Pesto Chicken Roll-Ups Recipe for Dinner Magic

Tantalizing weeknight dinners call for a game-changing pesto chicken roll-ups recipe that promises to delight your taste buds.

Tender chicken breasts wrapped in vibrant, herbal pesto create a mouthwatering meal that’s both elegant and simple.

The combination of rich, aromatic basil sauce and juicy chicken delivers a perfect balance of flavors in every bite.

Each roll-up brings a burst of Mediterranean-inspired goodness to your plate.

Crispy on the outside and incredibly moist within, these roll-ups make dinner feel like a special occasion.

The recipe comes together quickly, making it ideal for busy evenings when you want something delicious without spending hours in the kitchen.

Dive into this culinary adventure and transform your dinner routine with these irresistible chicken roll-ups.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Calories: 675 kcal

Servings: 5

Ingredients to Roll Up Pesto Chicken

• Chicken Breasts: Select fresh, plump cuts with minimal fat for tender, succulent rolls that absorb flavors beautifully.
• Salt, Pepper, Garlic Powder: Essential seasoning blend to enhance chicken's natural taste and create a robust flavor foundation.

• Basil Leaves: Vibrant green herb that delivers an authentic, aromatic Mediterranean essence to the sauce.
• Garlic: Pungent ingredient that provides a sharp, intense kick to the pesto's overall profile.
• Pine Nuts: Delicate, creamy nuts that contribute a subtle nutty undertone and smooth texture.
• Olive Oil: Rich, extra virgin variety ensures silky consistency and adds depth to the pesto's flavor.
• Parmesan Cheese: Aged cheese that introduces a sharp, salty complexity to both pesto and roll-ups.

• Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Concentrated, sweet-tangy ingredient that adds vibrant color and intense Mediterranean character.
• Mozzarella Cheese: Mild, stretchy cheese that creates a luxurious, melty texture when heated.
• Heavy Cream: Decadent dairy component that transforms the sauce into a rich, velvety coating.

Tools You Need for Pesto Chicken Roll-Ups

• Large skillet: Essential for searing chicken rolls with olive oil.
• Baking dish: Perfect for transferring and baking chicken roll-ups in the oven.
• Cutting board: Needed for slicing and preparing chicken cutlets.
• Sharp knife: Crucial for precise chicken preparation and slicing.
• Meat mallet: Helps pound chicken into even, thin cutlets.
• Toothpicks: Necessary to secure chicken rolls during cooking.
• Measuring spoons: Used for seasoning chicken with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
• Mixing bowl: Optional for preparing pesto cream sauce.

How to Roll and Bake Pesto Chicken

Culinary Adventure

• Flavor Foundation Preparing the chicken breasts and gathering your aromatic ingredients creates the backbone of this delightful dish.
• Chicken Canvas Gently butterfly the chicken breasts, creating a smooth surface ready to be transformed into a rolled masterpiece of flavor and texture.
• Pesto Magic Lavishly spread vibrant green pesto across each chicken canvas, sprinkling sun-dried tomatoes for bursts of Mediterranean sunshine.
• Rolling Technique Carefully roll the chicken into elegant spirals, securing with kitchen twine or toothpicks to maintain their beautiful shape during cooking.
• Sizzling Start Quickly sear the chicken rolls in a hot skillet, creating a golden-brown exterior that locks in the incredible flavors and creates a beautiful caramelized finish.
• Oven Transformation Place the rolls in a baking dish, drizzle with a creamy pesto sauce, and crown with a blanket of melting cheeses that will transform into a bubbling, golden topping.
• Delicious Finale Remove from the oven when the chicken is perfectly cooked and the cheese is melted and slightly crispy, letting the dish rest briefly to ensure maximum juiciness and flavor melding.

Flavor Tips for Pesto Chicken Roll-Ups

• Flavor Boosters: Experiment with different pestos like roasted red pepper, sun-dried tomato, or spinach to transform the dish's taste profile and keep things interesting.
• Herb Magic: Sprinkle fresh basil, oregano, or thyme on top before serving to add a bright, aromatic dimension that elevates the entire meal.
• Protein Swap: Try this recipe with turkey cutlets, pork tenderloin, or even thick white fish for a delightful variation that keeps the core technique intact.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the chicken rolls up to a day in advance and store covered in the refrigerator. This allows flavors to meld and makes weeknight cooking a breeze. Simply pop in the oven when ready to serve.
• Cheese Lover's Dream: For extra richness, mix in some cream cheese with the pesto or swap out mozzarella for provolone or fontina to create a unique cheese experience that will surprise your taste buds.

Serving Ideas for Pesto Chicken Roll-Ups

• Gourmet Plate Companions: Fresh mixed greens with a light lemon vinaigrette complement the rich pesto chicken perfectly.
• Mediterranean Sidekick: Roasted Mediterranean vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, and eggplant add colorful nutrition and enhance the Italian-inspired flavors.
• Carb Comfort: Creamy parmesan risotto or soft garlic focaccia bread provide delicious absorption for the savory pesto sauce, creating a balanced meal experience.
• Wine Pairing Delight: A crisp white wine like Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc cuts through the richness of the cheese and pesto, elevating the entire dining moment.

Storage Tips for Pesto Chicken Roll-Ups

• Smart Refrigeration Strategy: Store leftover chicken roll-ups in airtight containers, keeping them fresh in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Wrap individual portions separately to maintain moisture and prevent flavor mixing.
• Freezing Magic: Prepare extra batches and freeze uncooked roll-ups between parchment paper layers. Seal in freezer-safe bags, lasting up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before cooking for best results.
• Reheating Wisdom: Warm refrigerated roll-ups in the oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes, covering with foil to prevent drying. Avoid microwave reheating to maintain the crispy exterior and tender chicken texture.
• Meal Prep Hack: Create roll-ups in advance during weekend cooking sessions. Prepare multiple portions, separating layers with parchment paper, allowing quick weeknight dinner solutions without compromising flavor or quality.

Creamy Pesto Chicken Roll-Ups Recipe

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4.6 from 39 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Homemade pesto chicken roll-ups combine Italian culinary tradition with simple ingredients for a delightful meal. Fresh basil, tender chicken, and creamy cheese create a perfect balance of flavors you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 3 chicken breasts (sliced horizontally and pounded into cutlets for even thickness)
• 1 cup mozzarella cheese (shredded)
• 1 cup Parmesan cheese (freshly grated)
• 2 cups basil leaves (loosely packed, fresh)
• 3 cloves garlic
• ½ cup Parmesan cheese (grated)
• ⅓ cup olive oil
• ¼ cup pine nuts
• ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes (finely chopped)
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp pepper
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• 2 tbsps olive oil (for searing)
• ½ cup heavy cream

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Instructions

1. Preheat Sanctuary: Ignite the oven to 350°F (175°C), establishing a culinary stage for transforming chicken into a gastronomic masterpiece.
2. Chicken Preparation: Butterfly and tenderize cutlets, creating uniform surfaces that will absorb flavors uniformly and cook with precision, seasoning generously with salt, black pepper, and garlic powder.
3. Flavor Foundation: Lavishly spread pesto across each cutlet, strategically distributing sun-dried tomatoes to introduce bursts of concentrated flavor and textural intrigue.
4. Artful Rolling: Meticulously roll chicken into compact cylinders, securing with toothpicks to maintain structural integrity, then sear in olive oil to develop a golden-brown exterior that locks in moisture.
5. Sauce and Cheese Elevation: Transfer rolls to a baking dish, blending remaining pesto with heavy cream and additional sun-dried tomatoes, then crown with a decadent layer of mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses.
6. Culinary Culmination: Bake until chicken reaches a safe 165°F (74°C), allowing a brief resting period to redistribute juices and harmonize flavors, presenting a succulent and visually stunning dish.

Notes

• Butterfly with Care: Use a sharp knife to cut chicken horizontally, creating even thickness for consistent cooking and better flavor absorption.
• Season Generously: Salt, pepper, and garlic powder penetrate meat deeply, enhancing overall taste profile and creating a flavor foundation.
• Secure Tightly: Use toothpicks strategically to prevent unrolling during cooking, maintaining the structural integrity of chicken roll-ups.
• Rest Before Serving: Allow chicken to sit 3-5 minutes after baking, letting juices redistribute for maximum tenderness and flavor concentration.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 675
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 820 mg
• Fat: 48 g
• Saturated Fat: 14 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 30 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 15 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 50 g
• Cholesterol: 170 mg