Description

Pizza Chicken Roll Ups are a delicious and fun twist on traditional chicken dishes, combining tender chicken breasts rolled with mozzarella cheese and pepperoni, coated in a crispy Parmesan breadcrumb crust, and baked to perfection with marinara sauce and extra cheese on top. Ideal for a family dinner or entertaining guests, these roll ups offer the flavors of pizza in a wholesome chicken dish.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken Roll Ups

Olive oil spray
3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Kosher salt, to taste
Black pepper, to taste
½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese (plus more for topping)
12 slices pepperoni
¼ cup seasoned breadcrumbs
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon olive oil

Topping

½ cup marinara sauce
Fresh chopped basil (optional, for garnish)

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Instructions

Preheat and Prep: Preheat your oven to 450°F (232°C). Line a baking sheet with foil or parchment paper and lightly grease it using olive oil spray. In one bowl, mix the seasoned breadcrumbs and grated Parmesan cheese. In another bowl, whisk together the olive oil and fresh lemon juice to create a dipping mixture.
Prepare Chicken: Take each chicken breast and slice it horizontally to make 6 thin cutlets total. Place each cutlet between two pieces of wax paper and gently pound them until they are about ¼-inch thick. Season both sides with kosher salt and black pepper.
Fill and Roll: Lay each chicken cutlet flat and top with shredded mozzarella cheese followed by two slices of pepperoni. Roll each cutlet tightly into a compact roll. First dip each roll into the olive oil and lemon juice mixture, then coat evenly with the breadcrumb and Parmesan mixture. Arrange the roll-ups seam-side down on the prepared baking sheet and lightly spray the tops with olive oil spray for crispiness.
Bake: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake the chicken roll-ups for 20 minutes until the outside is golden and crispy.
Top and Finish: Remove the tray from the oven and spoon marinara sauce over each roll-up. Sprinkle with additional mozzarella cheese on top. Return to the oven and bake for another 4-5 minutes or until the cheese has melted and the chicken is cooked through.
Serve: Optionally garnish with fresh chopped basil for added flavor and color. Serve hot for a delightful meal that combines all the best flavors of pizza and chicken.

Notes

You can substitute pepperoni with your favorite pizza toppings like cooked sausage or vegetables.
Make sure to pound the chicken cutlets evenly to ensure they cook uniformly.
Use fresh mozzarella for a creamier texture if preferred.
Allow the chicken to rest for a few minutes after baking for juicier results.
These roll ups can be prepared ahead of time and baked just before serving.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Baking
Cuisine: Italian-American