Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Place each chicken breast between plastic wrap or parchment. Use a meat mallet to pound to even 1/4-inch thickness. Season both sides with salt and pepper.
- Lay each flattened breast on a clean surface. Place one slice of ham on each, followed by one slice of cheese. Keep fillings centered with 1/2-inch border around edges.
- Starting from the shorter end, roll each breast tightly around the filling. Secure with toothpicks or tie with kitchen twine at 1-inch intervals.
- Set up breading station with three shallow dishes: flour in first, beaten eggs in second, breadcrumbs in third. Dredge each roll in flour, coating completely and shaking off excess.
- Dip floured roll into beaten eggs, turning to coat all sides. Let excess drip off, then roll in breadcrumbs, pressing gently to create even coating. Ensure complete coverage.
- Place breaded rolls on greased baking sheet with space between them. Brush each roll generously with melted butter.
- Bake at 375°F for 25-30 minutes until coating is golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F. Cheese should be melted inside.
- Remove from oven and let rest for 3-5 minutes before removing toothpicks or twine. This allows juices to redistribute.
- For optional Dijon cream sauce: Whisk together cream, Dijon mustard, and pinch of salt in small saucepan over low heat. Warm gently, stirring constantly, until smooth and heated through. Don't boil.
- Slice each roll into 1-inch rounds to show spiral of ham and cheese. Arrange on plates, drizzle with optional sauce, and garnish with fresh parsley.
Notes
Preparation: Pound chicken evenly to 1/4-inch for best rolling and cooking. Chill assembled rolls for 30 minutes before breading for easier handling. Storage: Refrigerate leftovers up to 3 days. Reheat in 350°F oven 15-20 minutes on wire rack. Freezing: Freeze unbaked breaded rolls up to 2 months. Bake from frozen, adding 10-15 minutes. Make-ahead: Assemble rolls morning of or day before, refrigerate, and bake when ready. Pan-frying option: Pan-fry in oil until golden all sides, then finish in oven 15-20 minutes. Variations: Use Gruyere, mozzarella, or provolone cheese. Try prosciutto or Black Forest ham. Add dried herbs to breadcrumbs. Spread Dijon on chicken before filling. Serving: Pairs with mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, rice pilaf, green salad, or steamed broccoli.
