Chicken Roulade Broccoli Cheese (Printable Version)

Tender chicken rolled with broccoli, cheese, and crispy bacon creates an impressive yet simple dinner that looks and tastes restaurant-quality.

# Everything You’ll Need:

→ Meat and Dairy

01 - 4 strips bacon, drippings reserved
02 - 2 large boneless/skinless chicken breasts (or 4 small)
03 - 125g cheddar cheese, shredded
04 - 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese, grated

→ Produce

05 - 100g broccoli, steamed and finely diced

→ Pantry Items

06 - Salt and pepper to taste
07 - 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
08 - ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
09 - ¼ teaspoon paprika
10 - ¼ cup all-purpose flour (optional)

# Steps to Cook:

01 - Preheat oven to 190°C (375°F).
02 - Cook bacon slowly over low heat until crispy. Reserve drippings and set aside. Once cooled, roughly chop the bacon.
03 - Steam or boil broccoli for 5-7 minutes until tender, then dice finely.
04 - Cut chicken breasts in half lengthwise to create thinner slices. Cover with plastic wrap and gently pound to an even thickness of 6mm (¼ inch), being careful not to tear the meat. Position chicken with the smoothest side down.
05 - Distribute cheese evenly over the middle of each chicken piece, followed by broccoli and bacon.
06 - With the narrow side facing you, roll the chicken upward, tucking the stuffing in as you go. Place seam-side down and secure with kitchen twine.
07 - Season chicken rolls with salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and paprika. Optionally sprinkle with flour to help browning and prevent sticking.
08 - Heat 1 tablespoon bacon drippings in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken rolls on all sides until a golden crust forms, about 4-5 minutes total. The center will still be uncooked. Remove kitchen twine if desired.
09 - Transfer to a lightly greased baking dish, seam-side down. Cover and bake for 15 minutes, then uncover and bake for 15 more minutes.
10 - Remove from oven and let rest for 5-8 minutes. Ensure the thickest part of the meat has reached 74°C (165°F) before serving. Serve with mashed potatoes and green beans.

# Extra Suggestions:

01 - If using smaller chicken breasts, use 4 instead of 2. Butterfly the breasts but don't cut the seam completely before pounding and rolling.
02 - Pound chicken no thicker than 6mm (¼ inch) as it will plump during cooking.
03 - The tenderloin may separate from the breast during preparation. It can be removed, saved for another meal, or frozen for future use.
04 - For make-ahead preparation: cook stuffing ingredients, pound chicken, stuff and roll tightly in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for up to 2 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw completely before searing and baking.
05 - Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container and refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months.