Get ready to elevate your chicken dinner game with these incredible Broccoli Cheddar Chicken Roll-Ups! Imagine tender chicken cutlets, pounded thin and stuffed with a creamy, cheesy broccoli mixture, then coated in a crispy, savory cracker crust and baked to golden perfection. It’s a surprisingly elegant yet incredibly easy-to-make dish that’s perfect for a cozy family meal or when you want to impress guests with a gourmet twist on chicken.
Why I Love This Recipe
These Broccoli Cheddar Chicken Roll-Ups are an absolute dream come true for comfort food lovers! What I love most is the satisfying contrast of textures and the explosion of flavors in every bite. The tender chicken wraps around a luscious filling of creamy, savory cheddar, and cream cheese mixed with tender broccoli. But the real star is that unique, crispy cheddar cracker crust – it adds an amazing salty crunch that takes these rolls to the next level. They’re hearty, incredibly flavorful, and make for a beautiful presentation, all with a relatively straightforward process. Plus, it’s a great way to sneak in some greens!
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to create these delicious Broccoli Cheddar Chicken Roll-Ups (for 6 servings):
- 3 ½ cups broccoli, finely chopped, divided (525 g)
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (200 g)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 8 oz cream cheese, 1 package, softened
- 3 chicken breasts (about 1.5-2 lbs total)
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
- 14 oz cheddar cracker (such as Cheez-Its), 1 package (390 g)
- 1 cup all-purpose flour (125 g)
- 2 eggs
Swaps and Notes
- Broccoli: Fresh broccoli is ideal. If using frozen, ensure it’s thawed and squeezed very dry before microwaving. Finely chopped is key for good binding.
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese: Sharp or mild cheddar works best. Other good melting cheeses like Colby Jack or a mix of mozzarella and cheddar can also be used.
- Garlic Powder/Onion Powder: These add a savory depth to the filling.
- Cream Cheese: Ensure cream cheese is softened to room temperature for a smooth, lump-free filling. Full-fat cream cheese is recommended.
- Chicken Breasts: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are used here. You can use chicken tenderloins or turkey breast cutlets as well. Pounding them thinly is crucial.
- Cheddar Crackers: Crackers like Cheez-Its, Goldfish, or similar savory cheddar crackers are perfect for the flavorful crust. They provide a unique salty, cheesy crunch.
- All-Purpose Flour: For dredging the chicken.
- Eggs: For the egg wash, helping the cracker crumbs adhere.
- Seasoning: Adjust salt and pepper to your taste on the chicken.
Preparation
Let’s get these delicious and cheesy Broccoli Cheddar Chicken Roll-Ups ready for baking!
- Prepare the Broccoli Cheddar Filling: In a small, microwave-safe bowl, add 1½ cups (225 g) of the finely chopped broccoli. Microwave for 1 minute to lightly steam it (this ensures it’s tender in the filling). To this warm broccoli, add the 2 cups (200 g) of shredded cheddar cheese, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, and the 8 oz package of softened cream cheese. Mix thoroughly until all the ingredients are well combined and the mixture is smooth and creamy. Set this delicious filling aside until ready to use.
- Prepare the Chicken Cutlets: On a clean cutting board, take each of the 3 chicken breasts. Carefully butterfly them with a sharp knife (slice horizontally almost all the way through, then open like a book). This should give you 6 thinner chicken cutlets. Cover the chicken cutlets with a piece of plastic wrap. Using a rolling pin or a heavy pan, tenderize the chicken by gently beating it until each cutlet is about 1/4 to 1/2-inch thick. This ensures they cook evenly and are easy to roll.
- Season & Fill Chicken: Remove the plastic wrap from the chicken cutlets. Season both sides of each cutlet lightly with salt and pepper to taste. Place a generous scoop of the prepared broccoli cheddar mixture (about 2-3 tablespoons) on top of one chicken cutlet, spreading it evenly until the chicken is mostly covered, leaving a small border around the edges.
- Roll the Chicken: Carefully roll the chicken cutlet up, starting from one of the tapered ends. Roll it tightly to form a compact log. To keep the chicken tightly rolled during baking, use 2 wooden toothpicks to secure the seam and ends. Repeat this process with the rest of the chicken cutlets and filling.
- Preheat Oven & Prep Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 325˚F (165˚C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This will prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
- Prepare Cracker Crumb Coating: In a large plastic bag, place the entire 14 oz package of cheddar crackers. Crush the crackers using a rolling pin or your hands until they have a coarse, sand-like texture (some small pieces are fine). Pour the cracker crumbs into a large shallow bowl. Add the remaining 2 cups (300 g) of finely chopped fresh broccoli to the cracker crumbs. Stir well to combine the broccoli and cracker crumbs.
- Set Up Dredging Stations: Put the 1 cup (125 g) of all-purpose flour into a medium bowl. In another medium bowl, whisk the 2 eggs until well beaten.
- Coat the Chicken Rolls: Using tongs, place one of the filled and toothpick-secured chicken pieces into the flour. Turn the chicken in the flour until it is fully coated, tapping off any excess flour. Next, place the floured chicken in the beaten egg, turning until the chicken is coated. Finally, place the chicken in the broccoli cracker crumb mixture, turning and pressing gently until the chicken is fully coated on all sides. Repeat this dredging process with the remaining chicken rolls.
- Bake: Transfer the coated chicken pieces to the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature reaches 165°F / 74°C) and the cracker crust is golden brown and crispy.
- Cool & Serve: Let the chicken cool slightly for a few minutes on the baking sheet after baking. Then, carefully remove the toothpicks before serving.
Tips for Success
- Pound Chicken Thin: This is crucial! Thin chicken cutlets are easier to roll, cook faster, and are more tender.
- Finely Chop Broccoli (for filling): For the filling, very finely chopped broccoli mixes well and prevents the filling from breaking when rolled.
- Room Temperature Cream Cheese: Ensures a smooth, lump-free filling.
- Seal Tightly: Make sure the chicken is rolled tightly and secured with toothpicks to prevent the filling from oozing out.
- Cracker Crumb Texture: Crush crackers to a coarse, sandy texture, not a fine powder, for best crunch.
- Don’t Overcook Chicken: Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) and is removed promptly to keep it juicy.
- Pat Chicken Dry: After pounding, pat the chicken dry for better adhesion of the breading.
Serving Suggestions and Pairings
These Broccoli Cheddar Chicken Roll-Ups are a complete and satisfying meal, but they pair wonderfully with light sides:
- Roasted Potatoes or Rice: A side of simple roasted potatoes (like our Garlic Herb Roasted Potatoes, Carrots, and Zucchini) or fluffy rice would complement the dish.
- Green Salad: A light green salad with a vinaigrette offers a refreshing contrast.
- Steamed Vegetables: Extra steamed broccoli or green beans for added greens.
- For other incredibly popular cheesy chicken dishes, consider our Chicken and Mozzarella Bake for a simpler baked chicken option.
Storage and Leftover Tips
Cooked chicken roll-ups make great leftovers!
- Refrigeration: Store cooled leftover roll-ups in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. The crust may soften slightly.
- Reheating: For best results, reheat in a preheated oven or toaster oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes, or in an air fryer, until warmed through and the crust is re-crisped. Microwaving is an option, but the crust will be soft.
- Freezing (Unbaked): You can assemble and freeze these before baking! Place unbaked, breaded roll-ups on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze until solid. Once frozen, transfer to a freezer-safe bag. Bake from frozen (no need to thaw) at 375°F (190°C) for 50-60 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through.
More Recipes You Will Love
If you loved the cheesy, comforting, and easy nature of these chicken roll-ups, you’ll definitely want to explore some of our other fantastic chicken-centric recipes:
- For another fantastic cheesy chicken appetizer, check out Easy Cheesy Chicken Sliders with Marinara Garlic Butteror Easy Cheese Stuffed Chicken Wontons with Ranch Golden Crunchy Addictive.
- If you’re a fan of satisfying chicken and cheese dishes, our Ranch Cheddar Chicken Burgers are a great option.
- And for another go-to cozy chicken dinner that’s always a hit, don’t miss These Chicken Enchiladas Are My Go-To for Cozy Crowd-Pleasing Dinners!
- Finally, for a quick and easy weeknight meal that’s a one-pan wonder, our This Mexican Chicken and Rice Casserole Is My Favorite One-Pan Dinner That’s Always a Hit is a winner.
Final Thoughts
These Broccoli Cheddar Chicken Roll-Ups are a brilliant solution for bringing a truly comforting, flavorful, and incredibly satisfying meal to your table with ease. They’re perfect for a cozy night in, promising a tender, cheesy, and crispy experience that will make everyone happy.
Give this recipe a try and let the delicious aromas fill your kitchen! What’s your favorite way to make chicken roll-ups? Share your ideas in the comments below! And for more amazing, easy-to-follow recipes that bring joy to your kitchen, be sure to visit Chefmaniac.com. Happy baking!
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