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Sliced involtini di pollo fanned on a plate showing molten provolone and prosciutto layers with wine pan sauce pooled around the pieces

Pan-Seared Involtini di Pollo with Prosciutto Filling

Prosciutto and provolone stuffed chicken breasts, seared then oven-finished, sliced into a quick white wine pan sauce.
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 278

Ingredients
  

For the chicken rolls
  • 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 170 g each); pounded to 0.5 cm / 1/4 inch
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 4 slices thin prosciutto slices
  • 4 slices provolone cheese about 100 g total
  • 2 cups baby spinach (60 g); wilted and squeezed dry
  • 1/4 cup fresh breadcrumbs (30 g)
  • 2 tbsp parmesan, grated
  • 1 clove garlic minced
  • 4 fresh sage leaves to 6, chopped; or rosemary
For searing and the pan sauce
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter divided
  • 1/2 cup dry white wine (120 ml)
  • 1/2 cup chicken stock (120 ml)
  • 1 tsp lemon juice
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped for garnish

Method
 

Prep and stuff the rolls
  1. Place each chicken breast between two sheets of plastic wrap and pound to an even 0.5 cm / 1/4 inch thickness with a meat mallet.
  2. Season both sides of each cutlet with salt and pepper.
  3. In a bowl, mix the wilted, squeezed-dry spinach with breadcrumbs, parmesan, garlic, and chopped sage.
  4. Lay a slice of prosciutto over each cutlet, top with a slice of provolone, then spread a spoonful of the spinach filling across the center, leaving a 1 cm border.
  5. Roll each cutlet tightly from the short end and secure with a toothpick through the seam, or tie with kitchen twine.
Sear, bake, and finish the sauce
  1. Heat the oven to 200 C / 390 F.
  2. Heat olive oil and 1 tbsp butter in a 30 cm / 12-inch oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
  3. Sear the rolls seam-side down in two batches of two so the pan doesn't crowd, 2 to 3 minutes per side, turning until golden brown all over, about 8 minutes per batch.
  4. Return all four rolls to the skillet and transfer to the oven. Bake 15 to 18 minutes until an instant-read thermometer reads 165 F / 74 C at the thickest point.
  5. Lift the rolls onto a plate, tent loosely with foil, and rest 5 minutes.
  6. Set the skillet back over medium heat, pour in the wine, and scrape up the browned bits with a wooden spoon. Simmer 2 minutes until reduced by half.
  7. Stir in the chicken stock, remaining 1 tbsp butter, and lemon juice. Simmer 3 to 4 minutes until the sauce coats the back of a spoon.
  8. Remove the toothpicks, slice each roll on the diagonal, spoon the sauce over, and scatter with chopped parsley.

Notes

  • Pound chicken to an even 0.5 cm thickness before filling
  • Sear in two batches to avoid crowding the skillet
  • Pull rolls at 165 F / 74 C internal, not by time alone
  • Rest sliced rolls 5 minutes so the cheese sets slightly before cutting