Description
These Pizza Chicken Roll Ups are a delicious twist on traditional pizza, featuring tender chicken breasts rolled with mozzarella cheese and pepperoni, coated in a flavorful breadcrumb mixture, baked to perfection, and topped with marinara sauce and melted cheese. Perfect for a family dinner or a fun meal that combines the best of pizza and chicken in one delightful dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Filling
- 3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Kosher salt and black pepper, to taste
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese (plus more for topping)
- 12 slices pepperoni
Breadcrumb Coating
- ¼ cup seasoned breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
Oil and Marinade
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- Olive oil spray
Sauce and Garnish
- ½ cup marinara sauce
- Fresh chopped basil (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prep: Preheat oven to 450°F (232°C). Line a baking sheet with foil or parchment paper and lightly grease with olive oil spray. In a bowl, combine the seasoned breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese. In another bowl, whisk together olive oil and lemon juice.
- Prepare Chicken: Cut each chicken breast in half horizontally to create six thin cutlets. Place each cutlet between two pieces of wax paper and pound to ¼-inch thickness to ensure even cooking. Season each cutlet with kosher salt and black pepper to taste.
- Fill and Roll: On each flattened chicken cutlet, evenly distribute shredded mozzarella cheese and place 2 slices of pepperoni on top. Roll up each cutlet tightly to enclose the filling. Dip each roll-up first in the olive oil and lemon juice mixture, then coat in the breadcrumb and Parmesan mixture. Place each roll-up seam-side down on the prepared baking sheet. Lightly spray the tops with olive oil spray to help browning.
- Bake: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes, allowing the chicken to cook through and the coating to become golden and crisp.
- Top and Finish: Remove the roll-ups from the oven and spoon marinara sauce over each one. Sprinkle additional shredded mozzarella cheese on top. Return the baking sheet to the oven and bake for an additional 4-5 minutes, or until the cheese has melted and the chicken is fully cooked.
- Serve: Garnish with fresh chopped basil if desired. Serve the pizza chicken roll ups hot for a flavorful and satisfying meal.
Notes
- Pounding the chicken to an even thickness ensures they cook evenly and roll easily.
- Using seasoned breadcrumbs adds extra flavor, but you can use plain breadcrumbs and add your own seasoning.
- These roll ups can be prepared ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator before baking.
- Adjust the amount of pepperoni and cheese to your preference for a more or less indulgent meal.
- For a spicier twist, add crushed red pepper flakes to the breadcrumb mixture.
