This recipe for Chicken Roulade with Avocado Salad brings elegance and refinement to a special dinner, transforming a simple meal into a memorable experience. The chicken roulade is prepared with great attention to detail, filled with a fine combination of aromatic herbs, creamy cheese, and vegetables, then rolled and baked to achieve a golden crust and a tender interior. The delicate appearance and layered structure of the roulade add a touch of sophistication to every serving, making it ideal for an elegant dinner.
Alongside the chicken roulade, the avocado salad adds vibrant freshness, being a perfect mix of creamy avocado, juicy cherry tomatoes, crisp cucumber slices, and fresh greens. Lightly seasoned with a dressing made of extra virgin olive oil and lemon juice, the salad balances the delicate flavors of the roulade and offers a subtle note of freshness.
This elegant dinner is not only a delight for the taste buds but also a true visual spectacle, presenting harmony between color, texture, and flavor. Served in a refined setting with careful presentation, Chicken Roulade and Avocado Salad will impress any guest, bringing to the plate a combination of elegance and health, perfect for special moments.
Recipe for Chicken Roulade and Avocado Salad
Ingredients:
For the Chicken Roulade:
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
100 g creamy cheese (cream cheese or ricotta)
50 g fresh spinach, finely chopped
1 small red pepper, diced
1 garlic clove, finely chopped
1 tablespoon olive oil
Salt and pepper, to taste
1 teaspoon dried or fresh thyme
1 teaspoon finely chopped parsley
For the Avocado Salad:
2 avocados, diced
10–12 cherry tomatoes, halved
1 large cucumber, thinly sliced
1 small red onion, finely sliced
Fresh lettuce leaves (romaine or butterhead)
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
Juice of 1/2 lemon
Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions:
Preparing the Chicken Roulade:
Preheating the Oven: Set the oven to 180°C.
Preparing the Chicken Breast: Slice each chicken breast horizontally to obtain a thin piece, then lightly pound it with a meat mallet to flatten it evenly.
Preparing the Filling: In a bowl, mix the creamy cheese with spinach, red pepper, garlic, thyme, and parsley. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Assembling the Roulade: Place a spoonful of the cheese mixture on each chicken breast and roll tightly. Secure the edges with toothpicks to prevent them from opening during baking.
Baking the Roulade: Place the roulades on a baking tray lined with parchment paper and brush them lightly with olive oil. Bake in the oven for 25–30 minutes, or until fully cooked and golden.
Resting and Serving: After baking, let the roulades rest for a few minutes before slicing for a more aesthetic presentation.
Preparing the Avocado Salad:
Preparing the Vegetables: In a large bowl, combine the diced avocado, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and sliced red onion.
Seasoning: Add the lettuce leaves and season with olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Toss gently to avoid mashing the avocado.
Serving: Arrange the chicken roulade on a plate alongside the fresh avocado salad. This combination brings a perfect balance of textures and flavors, ideal for an elegant and healthy dinner. Savor every bite of this refined recipe!
Why is chicken roulade an ideal choice for an elegant dinner? Chicken roulade is a sophisticated yet simple option to prepare, impressing with its layered appearance and complex taste. Its customizable filling with cheese, vegetables, and herbs offers a balance of textures and flavors, making it a dish well-suited for special occasions.
How do you choose the best chicken breast for this recipe? Choose fresh chicken breast, firm to the touch and light pink in color, without spots. It should be boneless and skinless to make flattening and rolling easier. Opt for organic meat or trusted sources for a more natural flavor.
How do you obtain the perfect filling for chicken roulade? The perfect filling combines creamy cheese (such as ricotta or cream cheese) with fresh ingredients like spinach, red pepper, and aromatic herbs. Add garlic for a subtle note of intensity and season with salt and pepper to balance the flavors.
What tricks can be used to roll the chicken breast correctly? After evenly flattening the chicken breast, spread the filling across the surface but leave free edges to prevent leakage. Roll the meat tightly and secure the edges with toothpicks or kitchen twine to maintain its shape during baking.
How do you achieve the perfect golden crust on chicken roulade? Brush the roulades with olive oil before baking and set the oven to a constant temperature of 180°C. For extra color, brush with melted butter near the end of cooking. This technique ensures a crispy, golden crust.
How do you keep the avocado fresh in the salad? To prevent avocado from oxidizing, add lemon juice immediately after slicing. This not only preserves its vibrant green color but also enhances the freshness of the salad. Toss gently to avoid mashing the fruit.
What other ingredients can be added to the avocado salad? You can include toasted walnuts for extra crunch, pomegranate seeds for a sweet-tart note, or feta cheese for a saltier taste. These ingredients diversify the texture and flavor, perfectly complementing the chicken roulade.
What wine pairs well with this elegant dinner? A dry white wine, such as Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc, is the ideal choice to accompany the chicken roulade and avocado salad. If you prefer red wine, Pinot Noir, with its delicate notes, harmonizes well with the creamy cheese and seasonings.
How can you transform this recipe to suit different dietary preferences? For a lighter version, replace the creamy cheese with a filling of fresh vegetables, such as mushrooms and zucchini. For a heartier variation, you can add crispy bacon or chopped nuts to the filling.
How do you create an aesthetic presentation for this dish? Slice the chicken roulade into even pieces and arrange them on the plate in a fan shape. Place the avocado salad alongside, garnished with a few parsley leaves or lemon slices. Use a white platter to highlight the vibrant colors of the dishes.
