Italian Chicken and Sausage Rolls: A Zesty Delight for Family Dinners
Prepare to elevate your meal game with this robust and flavorful dish that marries the richness of Italian sausage with tender chicken and gooey mozzarella cheese. Perfect for family dinners or impressing your guests, this Italian Chicken and Sausage Rolls recipe is sure to become a household favorite. With a preparation time of just 25 minutes and a cooking time of 40 minutes, you’ll have a hearty and satisfying meal ready in just over an hour. Here’s a step-by-step guide to creating this delightful dish:
Ingredients:
- 4 boneless chicken breast halves
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 1/2 pound hot Italian sausage
- 3/4 pound mild Italian sausage
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 4 ounces mozzarella cheese sticks
- 1/2 cup mushrooms, sliced
- 2 tomatoes, chopped
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup red wine
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano leaves
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Instructions:
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Flatten the Chicken: Begin by pounding the chicken breasts until they are very thin. To avoid a mess, place each chicken breast between two sheets of plastic wrap or in a zip-lock bag before pounding. This technique helps the mallet glide smoothly without sticking.
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Prepare the Sausage: If using sausage links, remove the casings. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the Italian sausages until fully cooked, breaking them apart as they cook. Once done, drain most of the fat, but leave a bit of the flavorful drippings in the pan.
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Assemble the Rolls: Spread a portion of the cooked sausage over each chicken breast, then place a mozzarella cheese stick at one end of the chicken. Carefully roll up each chicken breast, encasing the sausage and cheese, and fold in the sides to seal. This will create a neat, egg-roll-like shape.
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Prepare the Flour Mixture: In a small bowl, combine the flour, salt, and oregano. Dredge each chicken roll in this seasoned flour mixture, ensuring an even coating.
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Brown the Chicken: Heat the pan with the remaining sausage drippings over medium heat. Add the chicken rolls and brown them on all sides. The goal is not to cook them through but to achieve a golden-brown crust. Once browned, remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.
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Cook the Vegetables: In the same skillet, add olive oil if needed and sauté the chopped onion, green bell pepper, red bell pepper, and mushrooms. Cook for about 1-2 minutes, or until they start to soften.
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Simmer the Dish: Return the chicken rolls to the skillet with the vegetables. Add the chopped tomatoes, red pepper flakes, red wine, chicken broth, basil, and black pepper. Stir gently to combine.
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Cover and Cook: Reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet, and let it simmer for 25 to 30 minutes. This will allow the flavors to meld and the chicken to cook through.
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Serve: Once the chicken is tender and cooked through, serve these Italian Chicken and Sausage Rolls hot, garnished with fresh basil if desired. Pair with a simple salad or steamed vegetables for a complete meal.
Nutritional Information (Per Serving):
- Calories: 659.6
- Fat: 40.1 grams
- Saturated Fat: 12.8 grams
- Cholesterol: 137.1 milligrams
- Sodium: 1231.4 milligrams
- Carbohydrates: 19.2 grams
- Fiber: 2.9 grams
- Sugar: 6.2 grams
- Protein: 49.4 grams
This hearty dish is not only rich in flavor but also packed with protein, making it a satisfying option for dinner. Enjoy the delightful combination of savory sausages, tender chicken, and melted mozzarella that comes together in every bite. Perfect for any occasion, Italian Chicken and Sausage Rolls are sure to bring a taste of Italy to your table! 🍗🧀🌶️
