Italian Chicken Spirals with Rotini
Italian Chicken Spirals with Rotini
Basil-hazelnut stuffed chicken rolls steamed over the pasta pot, sliced into spirals and served on rotini tossed with sun-dried tomatoes, capers and olives.
Prep: 20 minutes · Cook: 25 minutes
What Is Italian Chicken Spirals with Rotini?
Flattened chicken breasts rolled around a basil-hazelnut paste, steamed over the pasta pot, then sliced into pinwheel spirals and served on rotini dressed with sun-dried tomatoes, capers and olives.
Why Make Italian Chicken Spirals with Rotini?
- The spiral slices look far harder than they are
- Steaming over the pasta pot saves a burner
- Hazelnuts give the filling a pesto-like richness
- A complete dinner from one recipe
- Lean cooking with no frying
Unico Products Used in This Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 chicken breasts (skinless, boneless)
- 1 cup fresh basil leaves
- 2 tsp hazelnuts
- 1 clove garlic (crushed)
- 400 g rotini
- 1 tsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tsp capers
- 2 sun-dried tomatoes (chopped)
- 1/2 cup pitted black olives
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- salt and pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- Beat the chicken breasts with a rolling pin to flatten evenly.
- Process the basil and hazelnuts until finely chopped; mix with the garlic and season to taste.
- Spread the basil mixture over the chicken, roll up from a short end, and wrap each roll tightly in foil, sealing the ends.
- Cook the pasta in boiling salted water 8-10 minutes; meanwhile, steam the chicken parcels in a steamer set over the pasta pot, covered, for 10 minutes.
- Drain the pasta and return to the pan with the lemon juice, olive oil, sun-dried tomatoes, capers and olives; heat through.
- Pierce the chicken to check the juices run clear, slice into spirals, arrange over the pasta and serve.
Cooking Tips
- Flatten the breasts evenly for tidy spirals
- Wrap the foil tight so the rolls hold shape
- Seal the foil ends to keep the steam in
- Check the juices run clear before slicing
- Slice with a sharp knife for clean pinwheels
Frequently Asked Questions About Italian Chicken Spirals with Rotini
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1. How do the chicken rolls hold together?
They're wrapped tightly in foil before steaming — the foil acts as the mould.
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2. Can I use a different nut?
Pine nuts or almonds work in place of hazelnuts.
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3. Do I need a steamer basket?
Anything that sits above the boiling pasta water with a lid will do.
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4. Can I prepare the rolls ahead?
Yes — roll and wrap up to a day ahead and refrigerate; steam just before serving.
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5. How do I know the chicken is cooked?
Pierce with a skewer — the juices should run clear, not pink.
Cooking Guides & Tips
Italian Chicken Spirals with Rotini Made Simple
Italian Chicken Spirals with Rotini is dinner-party cooking on a weeknight clock. Unico rotini, sun-dried tomatoes, capers and olives dress the plate beneath the pinwheels.