Baked Italian Chicken Rollatini is a comforting chicken dinner made with thin, breaded chicken cutlets rolled around savory ham and melted provolone cheese. The chicken bakes in a flavorful mixture of chicken broth and white wine until the breadcrumb coating is golden and crisp.
Each slice reveals layers of tender chicken, ham, and gooey provolone, making this an easy way to turn ordinary chicken into a dinner that feels a little more special.
Recipe at a Glance
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Servings: 6
- Difficulty: Intermediate
- Cuisine: Italian-inspired
- Recipe Category: Chicken Dinner
Why You’ll Love This Baked Italian Chicken Rollatini
- Crispy Parmesan breadcrumbs give the chicken plenty of texture.
- Ham and provolone create a rich, savory filling.
- The rolled presentation makes a simple chicken dinner feel more impressive.
- The ingredients are familiar and easy to find.
- The finished chicken slices beautifully for serving.
- It works for both weeknight dinners and casual entertaining.
Ingredients for Baked Italian Chicken Rollatini
- 6 chicken cutlets
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
- 3/4 teaspoon ground black pepper, plus more to taste
- 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 cup Italian seasoned breadcrumbs, or a combination of breadcrumbs and panko
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 6 slices provolone cheese
- 6 slices ham or prosciutto
- 3 tablespoons softened butter
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup white wine
Ingredient Notes
Chicken cutlets: Thin chicken cutlets are easier to roll and cook more evenly. Pound them to approximately 1/4-inch thickness if needed.
Ham or prosciutto: Either adds a salty, savory layer inside the chicken.
Provolone: Provolone melts well and gives the rollatini its signature cheesy center.
Breadcrumbs and Parmesan: Together they create the crispy, flavorful exterior.
Chicken broth and white wine: These create a flavorful pan sauce around the chicken while it bakes.
Equipment You’ll Need
- Meat mallet or heavy skillet for pounding chicken
- Cutting board
- Two shallow dishes for coating
- 9×13-inch baking dish
- Toothpicks
- Instant-read meat thermometer
How to Make Baked Italian Chicken Rollatini
- Preheat the oven. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Prepare the chicken. Place the chicken cutlets between two sheets of plastic wrap or parchment paper. Pound them to an even thickness of approximately 1/4 inch.
- Season the chicken. Season both sides of the chicken cutlets with the kosher salt and black pepper.
- Prepare the coating. Pour the olive oil into one shallow dish. In another shallow dish, combine the Italian seasoned breadcrumbs and grated Parmesan cheese.
- Coat the chicken. Dip each chicken cutlet into the olive oil, coating both sides and allowing any excess to drip off. Press each cutlet into the breadcrumb and Parmesan mixture until evenly coated.
- Add the filling. Place one slice of provolone cheese and one slice of ham or prosciutto on each breaded chicken cutlet.
- Roll and secure. Starting at one end, roll each chicken cutlet tightly around the filling. Secure with a toothpick to help keep the roll closed during baking.
- Arrange in the baking dish. Place the chicken rollatini in the prepared 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Add the topping. Sprinkle the remaining breadcrumb mixture over the chicken. Top each rollatini with softened butter.
- Add the liquid. Pour the chicken broth and white wine around the chicken rolls in the baking dish.
- Bake. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, until the chicken is crisp and golden brown and the liquid around the edges is bubbling.
- Check for doneness. Use an instant-read thermometer to confirm that the thickest part of the chicken has reached an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Rest and serve. Carefully remove the toothpicks. Let the chicken rest briefly, then slice and serve with the flavorful pan sauce.
Recipe-Specific Tips for the Best Chicken Rollatini
Pound the Chicken Evenly
Keeping the chicken at an even thickness helps it cook consistently and makes rolling much easier.
Don’t Overfill the Rolls
One slice of cheese and one slice of ham or prosciutto per cutlet keeps the filling manageable. Too much filling can cause the rolls to open while baking.
Secure the Chicken Properly
A toothpick helps hold the rollatini together during baking. Remember to remove the toothpicks before serving.
Use a Thermometer
The most reliable way to determine whether chicken is fully cooked is by checking the internal temperature. The thickest part should reach 165°F (74°C).
Let the Crust Brown Naturally
The olive oil, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, and butter work together to create a golden exterior. Avoid covering the baking dish unless the chicken is browning too quickly.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Using Chicken That Is Too Thick
Thick chicken is harder to roll and may cook unevenly. Pound the cutlets to approximately 1/4 inch thick.
Overstuffing the Chicken
Too much cheese or ham can cause the filling to spill out during baking.
Rolling the Chicken Loosely
A loose roll is more likely to open. Roll firmly without squeezing out the filling.
Skipping the Toothpicks
Toothpicks help the chicken maintain its shape while baking.
Guessing Doneness by Appearance Alone
Chicken can look cooked on the outside before the center reaches a safe temperature. Always check the thickest part with a thermometer.
Substitutions
- Provolone: Mozzarella can be used for a milder flavor and a stretchy cheese center.
- Ham: Prosciutto works well for a deeper, saltier flavor.
- Italian breadcrumbs: Plain breadcrumbs can be used if seasoned with Italian herbs.
- Panko: Panko can be mixed with regular breadcrumbs for additional crunch.
- Parmesan: Pecorino Romano can provide a sharper and saltier flavor.
- White wine: If avoiding wine, use additional chicken broth, although the flavor of the pan sauce will be different.
Storage and Reheating
Allow leftover chicken rollatini to cool before storing it in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
For best quality, enjoy refrigerated leftovers within 3 to 4 days.
To reheat, place the chicken in a baking dish and warm in the oven until heated through. An air fryer can also help restore some crispness to the breadcrumb coating.
When reheating chicken, ensure the center reaches 165°F (74°C).
Serving Suggestions
Baked Italian Chicken Rollatini is rich and savory, so it pairs especially well with simple side dishes. Try serving it with:
- Garlic mashed potatoes
- Roasted potatoes
- Buttered pasta
- Roasted broccoli or green beans
- A simple Italian-style green salad
- Rice or creamy polenta
Spoon some of the pan sauce over the sliced chicken before serving for extra flavor.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is chicken rollatini?
Chicken rollatini is made by flattening chicken, adding a filling, rolling it up, and cooking it. This version is filled with ham or prosciutto and provolone, then coated in Parmesan breadcrumbs and baked.
How thin should I pound the chicken?
For this recipe, the chicken should be approximately 1/4 inch thick. This makes it easier to roll and helps the chicken cook evenly.
Can I use mozzarella instead of provolone?
Yes. Mozzarella can be used as a substitute, although provolone provides a slightly stronger flavor.
Can I use prosciutto instead of ham?
Yes. Prosciutto works well and adds a more intense salty flavor.
How do I know when the chicken is fully cooked?
Check the thickest part of the chicken with an instant-read thermometer. It should reach 165°F (74°C).
Why is my filling leaking out?
The chicken may have been overfilled or rolled too loosely. Use a moderate amount of filling, roll tightly, and secure each piece with a toothpick.
Can I make this recipe without white wine?
Yes. You can replace the white wine with additional chicken broth, although the finished pan sauce will have a different flavor.
Final Thoughts
Baked Italian Chicken Rollatini is an easy way to make chicken dinner feel more special without using complicated ingredients. The combination of crispy Parmesan breadcrumbs, savory ham, melted provolone, and flavorful pan sauce makes every slice satisfying.
Serve it with your favorite simple side dish, spoon over some of the pan sauce, and enjoy a comforting Italian-inspired chicken dinner.