Imagine indulging in a meal that feels like a fine dining experience, yet is effortless to prepare at home. That’s precisely what these cheesy pesto chicken roll-ups offer. Tender chicken breasts are transformed into a delightful dish packed with juicy tomatoes, fragrant basil, and oozing mozzarella cheese.
Ingredients
- Chicken breasts โ 4 large
- Pesto sauce โ 8 tablespoons
- Large tomato โ 1
- Shredded mozzarella cheese โ to taste (about 170 g / 1 cup)
- Garlic salt โ to taste
- Black pepper โ to taste
- Olive oil โ 15 ml (1 tablespoon)
- Butter โ 14 g (1 tablespoon)
- Cherry tomatoes โ 1 cup
- Fresh basil โ for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken
Start by cutting each chicken breast in half length-wise, giving you eight thin cutlets. Pound each cutlet gently until they are an even 3 mm (1/8 inch) thickness. Use a Ziploc bag for a mess-free experience, and if you donโt have a meat mallet, a heavy saucepan works just as well. - Season and Add Ingredients
Lay your chicken cutlets on a large cutting board or baking sheet. Season both sides with garlic salt and black pepper. Turn them over carefully, then spread a tablespoon of pesto sauce evenly on each cutlet. Slice the large tomato into 12 thin rings, then place two slices on each cutlet along with a sprinkle of mozzarella cheese. - Roll and Secure
Gently roll up each cutlet and secure the end with a toothpick to lock in all those wonderful flavors. Trust me, itโs worth the extra minute! - Sear and Bake
Preheat your oven to 220ยฐC (425ยฐF). On medium-high heat, melt the butter with the olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet. Once the butter stops sizzling, add the chicken roll-ups toothpick side up. Sear for four minutes per side until theyโre beautifully brown. - Finish in the Oven
Turn off the stove and sprinkle remaining mozzarella cheese and a cup of cherry tomatoes over the roll-ups. Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake for 13 to 15 minutes, until the chicken is fully cooked. - Garnish and Serve
For an added touch of freshness, garnish with fresh basil just before serving. Enjoy the juicy, cheesy, and absolutely scrumptious chicken roll-ups that youโve created!
Your kitchen will fill with the heavenly aroma of baked pesto and melting cheese. Donโt forget to remove the toothpicks before servingโyour guests will appreciate that thoughtful touch! These roll-ups are bursting with Tuscan flavors, delightfully reminiscent of a traditional Italian dish. Perfect for a cozy family dinner!
