Rolled Up Chicken with Feta, Spinach, and Sun-Dried Tomatoes: An Elegant, Low-Carb Dinner That’s Bursting with Flavor!
Imagine a dinner that looks like it came from a fancy restaurant but is surprisingly simple to make in your own kitchen. This rolled up chicken with feta, spinach, and sun-dried tomatoes delivers exactly that experience. The combination of creamy feta, fresh spinach, and tangy sun-dried tomatoes creates a flavor explosion in every single bite. Furthermore, this elegant dish proves that healthy eating doesn’t have to be boring or complicated.
The beauty of this rolled up chicken recipe lies in its perfect balance of textures and flavors. As you slice into the golden-brown exterior, you reveal a vibrant, cheesy filling that oozes with Mediterranean goodness. Consequently, this dish becomes an instant family favorite while still being impressive enough for dinner parties. The creamy feta, fresh spinach, and tangy sun-dried tomatoes work in harmony to create a memorable meal that feels both indulgent and nourishing.
Additionally, this recipe fits beautifully into various dietary lifestyles, including low-carb, keto, and Mediterranean diets. The rolled chicken presentation turns ordinary chicken breasts into something truly special. Whether you’re cooking for a weeknight family dinner or entertaining guests, this dish brings restaurant-quality appeal to your table. Ultimately, the rolled up chicken with feta, spinach, and sun-dried tomatoes offers a delicious solution for anyone seeking flavorful, healthy dinner options.
Quick Recipe Highlights
- Flavor Profile: This rolled up chicken features a sophisticated blend of salty, creamy feta cheese against the bright acidity of sun-dried tomatoes. The fresh spinach adds an earthy balance that complements the other ingredients perfectly. Each component contributes to a complex taste experience that delights the palate.
- Texture: The chicken cooks to a juicy, tender perfection while maintaining a slightly crisp exterior. Meanwhile, the filling offers multiple textural elements from the creamy crumbled feta to the chewy sun-dried tomatoes and wilted spinach. This combination creates an enjoyable mouthfeel that keeps every bite interesting.
- Aroma: As the rolled up chicken bakes, your kitchen fills with the savory scent of roasting chicken and herbs. The sun-dried tomatoes release their concentrated tomato essence while the feta cheese becomes wonderfully fragrant. These aromatic notes build anticipation for the delicious meal to come.
- Visual Appeal: When sliced, the rolled chicken reveals a beautiful spiral of white chicken, green spinach, red tomatoes, and white feta cheese. The golden-brown sear on the outside provides an attractive contrast to the colorful interior. This presentation makes the dish look professionally prepared and utterly inviting.
- Skill Level Needed: This recipe requires basic kitchen skills like pounding chicken and rolling ingredients. While not difficult, it does involve several steps that need coordination. However, with clear instructions, even novice cooks can achieve excellent results with this rolled up chicken dish.
- Special Equipment: You will need a meat mallet or rolling pin for pounding the chicken breasts thin. Additionally, kitchen twine or toothpicks help secure the rolls during cooking. A good oven-safe skillet proves useful for searing and baking the chicken efficiently.
Recipe Overview
- Difficulty Level: We classify this rolled up chicken recipe as intermediate because it involves multiple preparation techniques. You need to pound chicken breasts to an even thickness, create a balanced filling, and properly roll and secure the bundles. However, each step is straightforward and manageable with careful attention to the instructions provided.
- Category: This dish falls into multiple categories including main courses, healthy dinners, and special occasion meals. It works perfectly for family weeknight dinners while being elegant enough for entertaining. The recipe also fits into meal prep categories since the rolls reheat beautifully for leftovers.
- Cuisine: The flavor profile clearly draws inspiration from Mediterranean and Greek culinary traditions. The combination of feta cheese, spinach, and tomatoes appears frequently in Greek cuisine. Meanwhile, the technique of stuffing and rolling meat has roots in various European cooking traditions, making this a fusion dish with broad appeal.
- Cost: This rolled up chicken recipe uses reasonably priced ingredients, making it an affordable gourmet experience. Chicken breasts represent the most significant cost, while the filling ingredients offer excellent value. Sun-dried tomatoes and feta cheese can be purchased in quantities that allow for multiple uses in other recipes.
- Season: This dish works well year-round but particularly shines during spring and summer when fresh spinach is at its peak. The bright flavors complement warmer weather, and the cooking method doesn’t require hours in a hot kitchen. Conversely, during colder months, the comforting qualities of the baked chicken provide warmth and satisfaction.
- Occasion: These elegant rolled chicken bundles suit both casual family dinners and special celebrations equally well. They make an impressive centerpiece for dinner parties without requiring excessive last-minute preparation. The recipe also works for romantic dinners, holiday meals, or any time you want to elevate ordinary chicken into something extraordinary.
Why You’ll Love This Rolled Up Chicken Recipe
The taste and texture appeal of this rolled up chicken recipe will immediately win you over. Each bite delivers a perfect harmony of savory chicken, creamy feta, earthy spinach, and tangy sun-dried tomatoes. The contrasting textures from the tender chicken to the slightly chewy tomatoes create an exciting eating experience. Furthermore, the beautiful spiral presentation makes every slice visually stunning, enhancing your overall dining pleasure. The flavors continue to develop as you eat, revealing new dimensions with each mouthful.
Convenience and preparation benefits make this recipe a practical choice for busy cooks. Despite its elegant appearance, the rolled up chicken comes together in under forty-five minutes from start to finish. You can prepare the components ahead of time, then simply roll and cook when ready to serve. The recipe uses common ingredients that are easy to find at most grocery stores. Additionally, the cooking process involves simple techniques that yield impressive results, making you feel like a professional chef.
Nutritional advantages position this dish as both delicious and health-conscious. The rolled chicken provides lean protein while the spinach contributes iron and vitamins. Feta cheese offers calcium with less fat than many other cheeses, and sun-dried tomatoes contain concentrated lycopene. This combination creates a balanced meal that supports various healthy eating plans. The recipe naturally fits low-carb, Mediterranean, and gluten-free diets without requiring special modifications.
Social and entertaining value makes this rolled up chicken perfect for sharing with others. The beautiful presentation always draws compliments from guests, making you feel accomplished as a host. The recipe scales easily to accommodate larger groups without significantly increasing preparation time. Moreover, the dish feels special enough for celebrations while remaining approachable for casual gatherings. Your friends and family will likely request this recipe after tasting it.
Cost-effectiveness and accessibility ensure this recipe becomes a regular in your rotation. Chicken breasts represent an affordable protein source, especially when purchased in larger quantities. The filling ingredients offer excellent value since a little goes a long way in terms of flavor impact. You likely have many of the seasonings already in your pantry, minimizing additional expenses. This rolled up chicken delivers restaurant-quality dining at a fraction of the cost of eating out.
Historical Background and Cultural Significance
The origin story of stuffed meat dishes spans centuries and crosses numerous cultural boundaries. The concept of rolling or stuffing meats with flavorful fillings appears in ancient Roman cookbooks, where cooks would wrap meats around stuffings to create more interesting dishes. Throughout Europe, various cultures developed their own versions of rolled meats, from Italian saltimbocca to German rouladen. The specific combination of feta, spinach, and tomato likely emerged from Greek culinary traditions, where these ingredients feature prominently in many classic dishes.
Cultural importance of stuffed meats reflects both practical and celebratory aspects of cooking. In many traditions, stuffing cheaper cuts of meat with flavorful ingredients represented a way to extend expensive proteins and create more satisfying meals. The technique also allowed cooks to incorporate seasonal vegetables and preserved items into main dishes. In Mediterranean cultures, combinations similar to this rolled chicken often appear during festive occasions and family gatherings, symbolizing abundance and care in food preparation.
Evolution of the recipe demonstrates how culinary traditions adapt to modern tastes and ingredients. While traditional stuffed meats might have used harder-to-find ingredients, contemporary versions like this rolled up chicken utilize readily available supermarket items. The specific combination of feta, spinach, and sun-dried tomatoes gained popularity as Mediterranean cuisine became more mainstream in American cooking. Modern recipes often emphasize healthier preparation methods, such as baking instead of frying, and using leaner proteins like chicken breast.
Regional variations of stuffed chicken appear throughout the world, each with distinctive flavor profiles. Italian versions might feature prosciutto and mozzarella with sage, while French adaptations could include mushrooms and herbs de Provence. Mediterranean variations commonly incorporate olives, artichokes, or different cheeses. The Greek-inspired combination in this rolled up chicken recipe represents just one delicious possibility among many global interpretations. This diversity demonstrates the universal appeal of transforming simple chicken into something extraordinary through creative stuffing techniques.
Ingredient Deep Dive
Chicken breasts form the foundation of this rolled up chicken recipe, providing lean protein and a neutral canvas for the flavorful filling. When selecting chicken breasts, look for similarly sized pieces to ensure even cooking. Pound the chicken to an even quarter-inch thickness, which helps it roll neatly and cook uniformly. You can substitute chicken thighs for a richer flavor and more forgiving texture, though cooking times may need adjustment. Properly handled chicken should appear pink and moist without any unpleasant odor.
Feta cheese contributes salty, tangy notes and creamy texture to the rolled chicken filling. Traditionally made from sheep’s or goat’s milk, feta has been produced in Greece for centuries and holds Protected Designation of Origin status. Nutritionally, feta provides calcium, protein, and beneficial fatty acids while being lower in fat than many aged cheeses. For the best results in this recipe, choose block feta rather than pre-crumbled varieties, as it maintains better texture when baked. If you prefer a milder cheese, fresh goat cheese or ricotta salata make excellent substitutes.
Fresh spinach adds vibrant color, earthy flavor, and valuable nutrients to the rolled up chicken. Spinach has been cultivated for over 2,000 years, originating in Persia before spreading throughout the world. It provides iron, vitamins A, C, and K, along with antioxidants that support overall health. For this recipe, fresh spinach works better than frozen because it contains less moisture that could make the filling watery. Always wash spinach thoroughly to remove grit, and wilt it slightly before adding to the filling to reduce volume and concentrate flavor.
Sun-dried tomatoes deliver intense tomato flavor and chewy texture that contrasts beautifully with the other ingredients. This preservation method dates back to ancient times when people dried fruits and vegetables to extend their shelf life. Sun-dried tomatoes concentrate the natural sweetness and umami qualities of ripe tomatoes while providing lycopene and other antioxidants. For the rolled chicken, oil-packed tomatoes work best as they remain pliable and contribute additional flavor. If using dry-packed tomatoes, rehydrate them in warm water before incorporating into the filling.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Pounding chicken unevenly creates rolls that cook at different rates, resulting in some parts being overcooked while others remain underdone. Always work from the center outward and maintain consistent pressure to achieve uniform thickness. Use plastic wrap or a zip-top bag to contain any splattering while pounding.
- Overfilling the chicken rolls causes them to burst open during cooking, allowing the flavorful filling to escape. Use a moderate amount of filling and leave a border around the edges when assembling. Remember that the ingredients will expand slightly as they heat, so less is often more in this case.
- Insufficient seasoning leads to bland chicken despite the flavorful filling. Generously season both the inside and outside of the chicken with salt and pepper. Consider adding herbs or spices to the filling mixture itself to ensure every component contributes to the overall flavor profile.
- Skipping the searing step results in pale, less flavorful exterior texture. Searing creates a beautiful golden-brown crust through the Maillard reaction, developing complex flavors. Always pat the chicken dry before searing to ensure proper browning rather than steaming.
- Using cold filling straight from the refrigerator can increase cooking time and potentially lead to uneven doneness. Allow your filling ingredients to come closer to room temperature before assembling the rolls. This simple step helps the chicken cook more evenly throughout.
- Cutting the rolls immediately after removing them from the oven causes the filling to run out. Always let the rolled up chicken rest for at least five minutes before slicing. This allows the juices to redistribute and the filling to set slightly for cleaner cuts.
- Not properly securing the rolls with toothpicks or twine leads to unraveling during cooking. Use sufficient toothpicks or kitchen twine to hold the seam securely closed. If using toothpicks, remember to remove them before serving to prevent accidental injury.
- Overcooking the chicken results in dry, tough texture that diminishes the eating experience. Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness at the thickest part, removing the chicken from heat when it reaches 165°F. Carryover cooking will continue to raise the temperature slightly.
Essential Techniques
Pounding chicken breasts to an even thickness represents a crucial technique for successful rolled up chicken. This step ensures uniform cooking and makes the chicken pliable enough to roll without cracking. Place chicken breasts between two pieces of plastic wrap or in a zip-top bag to contain any splattering. Using the flat side of a meat mallet or a rolling pin, gently pound from the center outward toward the edges. Aim for approximately quarter-inch thickness throughout, checking for any uneven areas that need additional attention.
Proper searing creates flavorful browning through the Maillard reaction while sealing in juices. Pat the rolled chicken bundles completely dry with paper towels before searing. Heat your skillet until properly hot before adding oil, then place the rolls seam-side down first to seal them. Avoid moving the chicken excessively during searing—allow a proper crust to form before turning. This technique develops complex flavors and creates an attractive appearance that enhances the final presentation of your rolled up chicken.
Rolling and securing the chicken bundles properly prevents filling leakage during cooking. Lay the pounded chicken flat and distribute the filling evenly, leaving a border around all edges. Starting from the narrower end, roll tightly but gently, being careful not to squeeze out the filling. Use toothpicks or kitchen twine to secure the seam, placing them close enough together to prevent gaps. If using toothpicks, insert them parallel to the seam rather than perpendicular for easier removal after cooking.
Pro Tips for Perfect Rolled Up Chicken
Partially freeze your chicken breasts for about twenty minutes before pounding—this firms the meat and makes it easier to handle. The slightly frozen state prevents tearing and helps you achieve more uniform thickness when pounding. This simple trick results in neater rolls and more professional-looking finished dishes.
Squeeze excess moisture from your spinach after wilting to prevent a watery filling. Use a clean kitchen towel or paper towels to press the cooked spinach and remove as much liquid as possible. This step ensures your rolled up chicken maintains a firm texture rather than becoming soggy during baking.
Create an herbed breadcrumb coating for added texture and flavor by mixing panko with Parmesan and Italian herbs. Press the rolled chicken bundles into this mixture after searing but before baking. The breadcrumbs create a delicious crispy exterior that contrasts beautifully with the creamy filling.
Add a flavor boost to your filling by mixing minced garlic and fresh herbs into the feta cheese. Fresh basil, oregano, or thyme complement the Mediterranean flavors beautifully. Let the flavored cheese mixture sit for a few minutes to allow the flavors to meld before assembling your rolls.
Use a digital meat thermometer to ensure perfect doneness without overcooking. Insert the probe into the thickest part of a chicken roll, avoiding direct contact with the filling. Remove the chicken from the oven when it reaches 160°F, as carryover cooking will bring it to the safe temperature of 165°F.
Make a simple pan sauce while the chicken rests to elevate your dish further. Deglaze the skillet with chicken broth or white wine, scraping up any browned bits. Reduce the liquid slightly, then swirl in a pat of butter for a luxurious finish to drizzle over your sliced rolled up chicken.
Variations and Adaptations
Regional variations allow you to explore different flavor profiles while maintaining the same basic technique. For an Italian-inspired version, substitute mozzarella for the feta and add prosciutto and fresh basil to the filling. French adaptation might feature brie cheese with sautéed mushrooms and herbs de Provence. Mexican-inspired rolled chicken could incorporate pepper jack cheese, roasted poblano peppers, and corn. These variations demonstrate the versatility of the basic rolled up chicken concept across different culinary traditions.
Seasonal adaptations let you take advantage of fresh produce throughout the year. During summer, incorporate fresh basil and roasted red peppers from your garden instead of sun-dried tomatoes. In autumn, try sautéed wild mushrooms and fontina cheese for a earthier flavor profile. Winter versions might feature kale instead of spinach and add roasted garlic to the filling. Spring adaptations could include fresh herbs like tarragon and chives with young spinach leaves for a lighter taste.
Dietary modifications make this recipe accessible to various eating preferences and restrictions. For a dairy-free version, use vegan feta cheese or seasoned tofu crumbles instead of traditional feta. Low-carb enthusiasts can enjoy the recipe as written, while those following keto diets might add more fat by wrapping the chicken in bacon. Gluten-free needs are naturally met, but for added assurance, check that your sun-dried tomatoes don’t contain any hidden gluten-containing ingredients.
Serving and Presentation Guide
Plating techniques significantly enhance the visual appeal of your rolled up chicken creation. Slice the chicken rolls on a slight bias to create attractive oval shapes that showcase the spiral filling. Arrange the slices slightly overlapping on warm plates to maintain their temperature. Wipe the plate edges clean before serving for a professional appearance that shows attention to detail. Consider using colorful plates that complement the vibrant filling colors without competing with them.
Garnishing ideas add the final touches that elevate your dish from homemade to restaurant-quality. Fresh herb sprigs like parsley, basil, or oregano provide color and fragrance that hint at the flavors within. A light drizzle of high-quality olive oil or reduced balsamic glaze adds shine and additional flavor dimensions. Toasted pine nuts or slivered almonds contribute texture contrast and visual interest. Lemon wedges served alongside allow guests to add a bright acidity that enhances the other flavors.
Traditional accompaniments complement the Mediterranean flavor profile of the rolled up chicken. Serve with orzo pasta tossed with olive oil, lemon juice, and fresh herbs for a classic Greek-inspired meal. Roasted potatoes seasoned with rosemary and garlic make a hearty side that stands up to the robust flavors. A simple Greek salad with tomatoes, cucumbers, red onion, and olives provides refreshing contrast to the rich chicken. Warm pita bread or crusty artisan bread helps soak up any delicious juices from the plate.
Wine and Beverage Pairing
Wine pairings should complement the salty feta, earthy spinach, and tangy tomatoes in the rolled chicken. A crisp, acidic white wine like Sauvignon Blanc cuts through the richness of the cheese while highlighting the herbal notes. Greek Assyrtiko offers authentic regional pairing with its citrus and mineral qualities that enhance the Mediterranean flavors. Light-bodied red wine alternatives include Pinot Noir with its cherry notes that won’t overpower the dish. Rosé provides versatile pairing options with enough acidity and fruitiness to bridge the various flavor components.
Non-alcoholic alternatives can be just as sophisticated and complementary to the rolled up chicken. Sparkling water with a twist of lemon or lime cleanses the palate between bites of the rich filling. Herbal iced teas like mint or lemon verbena provide refreshing counterpoints without sweetness competing with the flavors. Cucumber-infused water offers subtle freshness that enhances the Mediterranean character of the dish. For something more substantial, a tomato-based beverage like a Virgin Mary mirrors the tomato elements in the filling.
Storage and Shelf Life
Storage methods properly preserve your rolled up chicken for enjoyable leftovers. Allow the chicken to cool completely before transferring to airtight containers, but don’t leave it at room temperature for more than two hours. Refrigerate within one hour of cooking during warm weather to prevent bacterial growth. Separate any sauce or pan juices and store them in a separate container to maintain the chicken’s texture. Properly stored, the cooked rolled chicken will maintain quality for three to four days in the refrigerator.
Freezing guidelines help you extend the life of your rolled up chicken for future quick meals. Wrap each chicken roll individually in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag or container with as much air removed as possible. Label with the date and contents for easy identification later. For best quality, consume frozen cooked chicken within three months, though it remains safe indefinitely when kept at 0°F. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating to ensure even warming and preserve texture.
Make Ahead Strategies
Prep timeline allows you to spread the work for your rolled up chicken over multiple days. You can prepare the filling up to two days in advance and store it tightly covered in the refrigerator. Pound the chicken breasts and store them between parchment paper in an airtight container for up to twenty-four hours before assembling. Fully assembled but uncooked rolls can be refrigerated for several hours before cooking, though they’re best cooked the same day. These make-ahead steps streamline the cooking process when you’re ready to prepare the meal.
Assembly tips for make-ahead preparation ensure your rolled up chicken maintains quality. When assembling in advance, be extra careful to remove moisture from the spinach to prevent sogginess. Place the assembled rolls on a parchment-lined baking sheet without touching each other to prevent sticking. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to cook. If storing for more than a few hours, you may want to secure with additional toothpicks to maintain their shape during extended refrigeration.
Scaling Instructions
Halving the recipe works perfectly for smaller households or intimate dinners. Use two chicken breasts and simply reduce all filling ingredients proportionally. Cooking time may decrease slightly since your oven won’t be as crowded, so check for doneness a few minutes earlier than the original recipe suggests. The searing step remains the same regardless of batch size, as you still want to develop that flavorful crust on each roll. Halved recipes also cool more quickly, reducing food safety concerns during the cooling process.
Doubling or tripling the recipe accommodates larger gatherings without significantly increasing active preparation time. Use multiple skillets for searing or work in batches to avoid overcrowding, which causes steaming instead of browning. Rotate baking sheets in the oven halfway through cooking to ensure even browning when cooking larger quantities. Consider staggering the assembly so you can manage the searing process efficiently without feeling rushed. Larger batches may require slightly extended cooking times, so rely on your meat thermometer rather than strict timing.
Nutritional Deep Dive
Macro breakdown of this rolled up chicken recipe supports balanced nutrition while satisfying the palate. Each serving provides approximately 35 grams of high-quality protein from the chicken and feta cheese, supporting muscle maintenance and satiety. The dish contains minimal carbohydrates, primarily from the spinach and sun-dried tomatoes, making it suitable for low-carb diets. Healthy fats come from the olive oil and feta cheese, providing energy and aiding absorption of fat-soluble vitamins. This balanced macronutrient profile makes the recipe appropriate for various dietary goals including weight management and athletic performance.
Micronutrient analysis reveals significant vitamin and mineral content throughout the rolled up chicken. Spinach contributes vitamin K for bone health and blood clotting, along with vitamin A for vision and immune function. Sun-dried tomatoes provide lycopene, an antioxidant associated with reduced risk of certain cancers and heart disease. Chicken offers B vitamins including niacin and B6, which support energy metabolism and neurological function. Feta cheese adds calcium and phosphorus for strong bones and teeth, making this dish nutritionally diverse.
Dietary Adaptations
Gluten-free needs are naturally met by this rolled up chicken recipe as written. However, always verify that your specific brands of feta cheese and sun-dried tomatoes don’t contain any hidden gluten sources. Some processed cheeses use anti-caking agents that may contain gluten, while certain preserved tomatoes might be processed in facilities that handle wheat. When making a pan sauce, use cornstarch or arrowroot instead of flour as a thickening agent to maintain the gluten-free integrity of the dish.
Dairy-free adaptation requires substituting the feta cheese with a suitable alternative. Crumbled tofu marinated in lemon juice and salt can mimic the texture and tanginess of feta reasonably well. Commercial vegan feta products made from almonds or coconut oil provide another option, though their melting properties may differ. Nutritional yeast added to the filling mixture can contribute the savory, slightly cheesy flavor that complements the other ingredients in the rolled up chicken.
Troubleshooting Guide
Texture issues often stem from moisture management in the rolled chicken filling. If your filling becomes watery, you likely didn’t remove enough moisture from the spinach before assembling. To rescue a batch with excess liquid, carefully drain any accumulated juices from the baking dish during cooking. For future attempts, be more thorough when pressing the cooked spinach, and consider adding a tablespoon of breadcrumbs to the filling to absorb excess moisture. These adjustments will help maintain the structural integrity of your rolls.
Flavor balance problems can usually be corrected with simple adjustments before serving. If the rolled up chicken tastes bland, it may need more salt or acid. Sprinkle with flaky sea salt just before serving to enhance the existing flavors. A squeeze of fresh lemon juice over the sliced chicken can brighten all the components. For undersalted filling, serve with a flavorful sauce or condiment like tzatziki or pesto to complement the mild chicken and cheese.
Recipe Success Stories
Community feedback consistently praises this rolled up chicken recipe for its impressive presentation and delicious flavors. Many home cooks report receiving compliments from guests who assume the dish required professional culinary skills. Families appreciate that even picky eaters enjoy the chicken, often not realizing they’re eating spinach in the process. Several readers have shared that this recipe gave them confidence to try more complex cooking techniques, expanding their kitchen abilities. The beautiful spiral slices frequently appear in social media posts, inspiring others to attempt the recipe themselves.
Variation successes demonstrate the adaptability of this rolled up chicken concept to different tastes and ingredients. One cook substituted the spinach with sautéed kale and added cooked quinoa to the filling for extra heartiness. Another used artichoke hearts instead of sun-dried tomatoes and added lemon zest to the feta mixture for a brighter flavor profile. Several readers have successfully made the recipe with turkey cutlets or pork tenderloin slices instead of chicken, adjusting cooking times accordingly. These creative adaptations show how the basic technique can accommodate diverse preferences while maintaining the elegant presentation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use frozen spinach instead of fresh? Yes, but you must thaw and thoroughly drain the frozen spinach first. Squeeze out as much liquid as possible using a clean kitchen towel or cheesecloth. Frozen spinach tends to be more compact, so you may need to adjust the quantity to achieve the right filling consistency.
What can I use if I don’t have kitchen twine or toothpicks? You can sometimes secure the rolls by placing them seam-side down in the pan and relying on the initial searing to seal them. However, this method is less reliable. Alternatively, use skewers cut to appropriate length or even unwaxed dental floss in a pinch.
Can I prepare these entirely ahead and just bake before serving? Yes, you can assemble the rolled up chicken several hours in advance and refrigerate until ready to cook. For best results, let them sit at room temperature for about twenty minutes before searing to ensure more even cooking throughout.
How do I know when the chicken is cooked through? The most reliable method is using a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the chicken (not through the filling). The safe internal temperature for chicken is 165°F. The chicken should feel firm to the touch and the juices should run clear when pierced.
Can I cook these on the grill instead of in the oven? Absolutely, though you’ll need to adjust your technique. Use indirect heat on a gas grill or move coals to the sides on a charcoal grill. Sear the rolls over direct heat first, then move to indirect heat to finish cooking through without burning the exterior.
What’s the best way to reheat leftovers? Reheat gently in a 325°F oven until warmed through, about 15-20 minutes. You can also use an air fryer for a crisper exterior. Avoid microwaving, which can make the chicken rubbery and cause the filling to become watery.
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts? Yes, boneless, skinless chicken thighs work well and may be more forgiving regarding doneness. They typically require slightly longer cooking times due to their higher fat content. The richer flavor of thighs complements the Mediterranean filling beautifully.
What other cheeses work well in this recipe? Goat cheese provides a similar tangy profile, while ricotta offers creaminess. For a milder flavor, try mozzarella or provolone. Strong blue cheeses can overpower the other ingredients, so use them sparingly if substituting.
How can I make this recipe lower in sodium? Use low-sodium feta cheese or reduce the quantity and supplement with low-sodium ricotta. Rinse capers if using them, and select no-salt-added sun-dried tomatoes. Season with herbs and lemon juice instead of additional salt.
What should I do if my chicken rolls are unraveling during cooking? This usually indicates insufficient securing or overfilling. For immediate rescue, you can carefully re-roll and secure with additional toothpicks. For future attempts, ensure you’re not overfilling and use enough securement points along the seam.
Additional Resources
Related recipes that complement this rolled up chicken include various Mediterranean-inspired dishes. Greek lemon potatoes roasted with oregano and garlic make a perfect side that shares similar flavor profiles. For a starter course, consider traditional Greek tzatziki with pita bread or a horiatiki salad with tomatoes, cucumbers, and olives. Dessert options might include baklava or Greek yogurt with honey and walnuts to continue the Mediterranean theme throughout your meal.
Technique guides for perfecting your chicken preparation can significantly improve your results. Learning proper knife skills for slicing the rolled chicken creates cleaner presentations. Understanding the Maillard reaction helps you achieve the perfect sear on the exterior. Mastering the use of a meat thermometer ensures perfectly cooked chicken every time without guesswork. These fundamental skills transfer to many other recipes beyond this specific rolled up chicken dish.
PrintRolled Up Chicken with Feta, Spinach, and Sun-Dried Tomatoes
Description
Tender chicken breasts stuffed with a savory mixture of creamy feta, fresh spinach, and tangy sun-dried tomatoes, then baked to perfection.
Ingredients
For the Crust:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup fresh spinach, chopped
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Toothpicks for securing
Instructions
1. Prepare the Crust:
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Pound chicken breasts to an even thickness, then season both sides with salt, pepper, and oregano.
- In a bowl, mix spinach, feta, sun-dried tomatoes, and garlic. Spoon mixture onto each chicken breast.
- Roll up each chicken breast tightly and secure with toothpicks.
- Heat olive oil in an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken rolls on all sides until golden.
- Transfer skillet to oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through.
- Let rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
You can customize the seasonings to taste.

I’m Shaykee—born in Morocco, seasoned across continents. From airplane galleys to home kitchens, I share the flavors and stories that shaped my journey.