Description
Broccoli Cheddar Chicken Rollups are a delicious and comforting dish featuring tender chicken breasts filled with a creamy broccoli and cheddar cheese mixture, coated in a crispy cheddar cracker crust, and baked to golden perfection. This recipe combines savory flavors and textures for a satisfying meal suitable for family dinners or special occasions.
Ingredients
Scale
Filling
- 3 1/2 cups broccoli (525g), finely chopped
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (200g)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 8 ounces cream cheese (225g), softened
Chicken
- 3 chicken breasts
- Salt and pepper to taste
Breading
- 14 ounces cheddar crackers (390g), crushed
- 1 cup all-purpose flour (125g)
- 2 eggs
Instructions
- Prepare broccoli mixture: Microwave 1 1/2 cups of the finely chopped broccoli for 1 minute until slightly softened. In a bowl, combine the microwaved broccoli with shredded cheddar cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, and softened cream cheese. Mix thoroughly until well combined and creamy.
- Prepare chicken: Butterfly the chicken breasts by slicing them horizontally to create thin, even cutlets. Season both sides generously with salt and pepper to enhance flavor.
- Assemble rollups: Place a scoop of the broccoli and cheddar mixture onto each chicken cutlet. Carefully roll up the chicken around the filling and secure with toothpicks to keep the rollups intact during cooking.
- Prepare breading: Crush the cheddar crackers into a coarse crumb texture. Spread the all-purpose flour in one bowl, and whisk the eggs in another bowl separately for dipping.
- Bread chicken: Dip each chicken rollup first in the flour, coating all sides, then dip in the whisked egg mixture, and finally coat thoroughly with the crushed cheddar cracker crumbs.
- Bake: Preheat the oven to 325°F (165°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Place the breaded chicken rollups on the baking sheet, spacing them slightly apart. Bake in the preheated oven for 40 to 45 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked and the crust is golden and crispy.
- Serve: Remove the chicken rollups from the oven and let them cool slightly. Carefully remove the toothpicks before serving. Enjoy warm as a hearty main course.
Notes
- Microwaving the broccoli slightly helps soften it for a smoother filling.
- Butterflying the chicken breasts ensures even cooking and makes rolling easier.
- Using cheddar crackers for breading adds extra cheesy flavor and a unique crunchy texture.
- Ensure chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) for safe consumption.
- You can substitute cream cheese with Neufchâtel cheese for a lower-fat option.
- For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free crackers and flour substitutes.
