Chicken Asparagus Roll-ups are proof that you don't need a complicated recipe with lots of ingredients to have a healthy, tasty and beautiful entree.
Roll, wrap or stuff your chicken...with asparagus. It's an easy way to up the fun factor at dinner that takes very little time. Consider this:
Baked chicken with asparagus lined up next to it. Tasty, but ho hum.
Chicken layered with Swiss cheese and rolled with a few stalks of fresh asparagus in the middle. Delicious, FUN and low-carb too.
See what I mean? We used this technique at our meal assembly kitchen all the time with recipes like Mango Chutney Chicken and Brie Roll-ups and Chicken Cordon Bleu. This type of entree freezes well before cooking too.
So...why aren't you wrapping and rolling more? Let's knock down all the stumbling blocks.
Method
To make chicken asparagus roll-ups, all you need to do is layer a slice of Swiss cheese over a thin-sliced chicken cutlet and roll in some fresh asparagus that has been blanched or cooked for a few minutes in the microwave.
Sprinkle breadcrumbs or almond meal over the top to seal in the juices and bake in the oven.
Ta-Da! You have a tasty, entertainment-worthy presentation that took very little time or effort. Use your extra time to make a fabulous side dish or dessert...or do your nails. Time is on your side and under your control. 🙂
Note for Gluten-Free, Low-Carb and South Beach Diets - Whole wheat panko breadcrumbs add a minimal amount of carbs. However, another option which we love is to dust the top with almond meal!
How to flatten chicken
Don't! Use chicken cutlets instead. The size and of the pieces can vary depending upon what and where you buy them. If needed, and it often is, overlap pieces to achieve the desired size.
Another option is to pound the chicken to about ¼ inch thickness. Place the chicken between two pieces of plastic wrap or in a plastic bag and gently pound.
The key is uniformity. Ultimately, you want the rolls to be about the same thickness so that they cook evenly.
How to check for "done"
Use a meat thermometer to tell when asparagus wrapped chicken is done. Chicken is "cooked through" and safe to eat when it reaches an internal temperature on 165 degrees F. The chicken will not be pink, but it will be moist and juices will run clear if you cut it.
But, you don't want to be cutting into these beautiful roulades before dinner has even started!
Insert a meat thermometer into one of the roll-ups and keep it there until it reaches the proper temperature.
Freezer notes
Prepare chicken asparagus roll-ups up to the point where it would go into the oven or through Step 8. Place the chicken in a freezer-safe container with a lid and jot down the contents. When you are ready to cook the chicken, remove the container to the refrigerator and allow the chicken to defrost overnight and then cook it according to the directions. Use within 2 months.
Any way you happen to roll, it's an easy and fun technique that's always a crowd-pleaser.
If you have some leftover asparagus, toss it into brown rice or couscous. This Rice with Mushrooms and Asparagus by Primavera Kitchen looks like a winner!
Please rate this recipe and tag @DinnerMom or #DinnerMom on social media. We love to see what you are cooking up.
📋 Recipe
Chicken Asparagus Roll-ups
Ingredients
- 16 asparagus stalks hard ends snapped off
- 16 ounces chicken cutlets about ¼ inch in thickness
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 4 slices Swiss cheese
- 4 teaspoons breadcrumbs whole wheat seasoned or panko; see notes for SBD Phase 1
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Place asparagus in a microwave-safe container with 1 Tablespoon water and cover with a lid or plastic wrap.
- Microwave asparagus on high for 1-2 minutes or until asparagus is tender, but still firm. Set aside.
- Place chicken cutlets on a flat surface and sprinkle both sides with salt and pepper.
- Layer a slice of Swiss cheese over each chicken cutlet.
- Place 4 asparagus stalks on top of each slice of Swiss cheese.
- Roll chicken up jelly roll style. Secure with a toothpick, if necessary.
- Sprinkle 1 teaspoon of breadcrumbs over each chicken roll-up, if using.
- Place chicken roll-ups in a baking dish.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the chicken is no longer pink and has reached a temperature of 165 degrees F.
Notes
Nutrition
Becca from It's Yummi!
This looks delicious, Marjory! Pinned and Stumbled!
Heather // girlichef
What a great idea! We love chicken and asparagus, and I bet everybody would get a kick out of seeing this dish on their dinner plates.
Wendy (The Weekend Gourmet)
My husband just discovered he likes roasted asparagus...I should make these for him. We love chicken...and I love easy, esp. on a busy weeknight!!
Courtney @ Neighborfood
Who knew such a classy meal could be so simple? I'm dying over that mango/brie version too. Yummy!
Laura
I can't believe something this amazing is only 5 ingredients. This is going to be a must try on my list.
Liz
What a gorgeous presentation, Marjory!!! Elegant enough for company!!!
Tara
I have always loved these roll-ups with asparagus inside. Yours look so good!!
Laura Dembowski
These are very elegant! They'd be perfect to serve at a dinner party!
Marlene @Nosh My Way
Stunning, and appetizing too.
The Ninja Baker
May I roll in 2 directions? Both your roll-up recipes sound divine! Thank you for sharing this oh so elegant but do-able dish how-to =)
Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom
oh my goodness!!! I love this! and so elegant and delicious! I can't wait to try this!
Deanna Samaan
Yummy! This looks amazing!
Bea
I love these ~ what a great idea. Quick, easy, delicious. Thank you 🙂
Alida
Simple, delicious and brilliant! This is going on our menu for next week!
Katie
These look absolutely fabulous! I love the simplicity, and the presentation is so lovely!
Soni
Ooh such a creative and elegant entree dish!!Would love to try it for sure as we love chicken and asparagus!!
Dorothy at Shockingly Delicious
Great technique!
Sarah
This reminds me of an omelette I had once with all these ingredients. This would be excellent on any dinner plate!
Lane @ Supper for a Steal
I love chicken roll ups. Swiss and asparagus sound like a great combo, can't wait to try it out.
Amy Kim (@kimchi_mom)
Easy and elegant!
Stacy
What a great idea, Marjory! Your roll ups are so pretty that I could see them at a fancy dinner party. Guests would be very impressed!
Julie
Awesome idea, and so elegant!
Jane's Adventures in Dinner
What a gorgeous recipe-wonderful for everyday but a gorgeous, 'special' dinner too.
Cindys Recipes and Writings
Looks very elegant, Marjory!
Bobbi's Kozy Kitchen
Chicken, asparagus, and cheese? How can you go wrong with that?? Thanks so much for the dinner inspiration!!
Shaina
Love this! Asparagus is one of my favorite greens. I normally wouldn't think to pair it with swiss, but I think the combo would work well!
Dionne Baldwin
I was hoping that was Swiss cheese when I saw the melty temptation beneath the chicken! YAY! I love chicken roll ups. 🙂 Asparagus is a bonus.
Christy @ Confessions of a Culinary Diva
Delectable five ingredient entrée. Love how you used the thin chicken cutlets to make this.
Candace
Using chicken cutlets makes these even easier. I overlapped two small ones and it worked perfectly!
Dee
Hey Marjory,
I love this recipe! Do you think I could prepare it all and freeze before baking?
Marjory Pilley
You definitely can and we did it all the time at our meal assembly store. Simply prepare up to the point that you would bake it in the oven. Cover with plastic wrap and aluminum foil and freeze covered. When you're ready to enjoy it, remove it to the refrigerator to defrost and then cook as you normally would. It's best to use a dish frozen in this manner within 2 months. I hope you enjoy it!