Description
Succulent chicken embraces crisp asparagus in this elegant French-inspired “asparagus wrapped chicken” dish. Delicate herb-infused layers blend perfectly, promising a restaurant-quality meal you can easily craft at home.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 12 asparagus spears, trimmed
- 4 slices turkey bacon or regular bacon (optional)
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (optional)
Seasoning Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Finishing Ingredients:
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Carefully align the oven rack and warm the oven to a crisp 375°F (190°C), preparing a parchment-lined baking sheet for the culinary creation.
- Transform chicken breasts into elegant cutlets by gently pounding them to uniform thickness, then carefully slicing each breast lengthwise to create delicate portions.
- Massage olive oil across the chicken’s surface, ensuring complete coverage, then generously dust with a harmonious blend of garlic powder, paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper.
- Arrange three tender asparagus spears precisely in the center of each chicken cutlet, optionally crowning them with a whisper of mozzarella cheese.
- Artfully roll the chicken around the asparagus, creating elegant bundles secured with toothpicks or wrapped in a crispy bacon embrace for enhanced flavor complexity.
- Position the wrapped chicken bundles seam-side down on the prepared baking sheet, maintaining their elegant shape.
- Slide the baking sheet into the preheated oven and roast for 25-30 minutes, verifying doneness by ensuring the chicken reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- For bacon-wrapped variations, activate the broiler for a final 2-3 minutes to achieve a perfectly crisp exterior.
- Carefully remove toothpicks before presenting the dish, pairing with roasted vegetables, cauliflower rice, or a vibrant fresh salad to complete the meal.
Notes
- Choose thin, fresh asparagus spears for the best texture and flavor in the dish.
- Pound chicken evenly to ensure consistent cooking and prevent dry spots during baking.
- Use a meat thermometer to guarantee chicken reaches safe internal temperature without overcooking.
- Experiment with different cheese options like feta or goat cheese for unique flavor variations.
- For a low-carb version, skip bacon and focus on herbs and seasonings to enhance taste.
- Wrap asparagus tightly to prevent uneven cooking and maintain moisture in the chicken.
- Prep ingredients beforehand to streamline the cooking process and reduce kitchen stress.
- Consider marinating chicken in lemon juice and herbs for extra tenderness and zesty flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 40g
- Cholesterol: 90mg