In a world increasingly focused on wellness, finding delicious yet nutritious recipes that cater to the whole family can be a game-changer. This easy, ground chicken roll recipe is a shining example, offering a versatile, kid-friendly meal that can be savored any time of the day – from a light breakfast to a satisfying dinner.
Embracing healthier eating habits isn’t just a trend; it’s a fundamental shift towards a more vibrant and energetic life. Opting for clean, whole ingredients allows us to truly enjoy our days and contribute to a better, more sustainable lifestyle for ourselves and our loved ones. This recipe is designed with that philosophy in mind, proving that healthy eating can be both simple and incredibly flavorful.
Why You’ll Love This Easy Chicken Roll Recipe
This ground chicken roll is more than just a meal; it’s a culinary hack for busy families. It’s incredibly straightforward to prepare, making it a perfect weeknight solution or a fantastic option for meal prep. While the recipe calls for lean ground chicken, you have the flexibility to substitute it with ground turkey, ground beef, or even a combination of meats, allowing for endless variations to suit your taste and dietary preferences.
What truly makes this recipe a family favorite is its innovative approach to incorporating wholesome ingredients. Stuffed with a delightful mix, in my household, it’s my kids’ beloved green olives that take center stage. You can easily customize the filling with whatever your children enjoy – be it finely diced bell peppers, shredded carrots, or even a mild cheese. The magic lies in shaping the mixture into a neat log and slicing it like deli meat. This presentation encourages even the pickiest eaters to try something new, transforming a healthy meal into an appealing, bite-sized delight that they’ll happily devour. Its versatility and kid-appeal make it a truly winning dish.
Amira’s Expert Tips for the Perfect Chicken Roll
Crafting this ground chicken roll is exceptionally simple, and these tips will help you achieve the best results:
- For Added Richness: I sometimes incorporate a small amount of cream cheese into the chicken mixture. This isn’t just for flavor; it lends a wonderful creaminess and helps bind the mixture, resulting in a more tender and moist roll. However, if you prefer a leaner option or don’t have cream cheese on hand, feel free to omit it – the recipe will still be delicious.
- Subtle Onion Flavor: To ensure the onions are not too prominent, especially for children who might object to their texture, I recommend sautéing them gently in olive oil for just a minute or two until they soften and become translucent. This mellows their flavor and makes them virtually undetectable in the final dish.
- Garlic Timing is Key: For a fresher, less intense garlic flavor that suits breakfast or lunch, I add the crushed garlic *after* turning off the heat from the sautéed onions. The residual heat is enough to bloom the garlic’s aroma without cooking it to a point where it tastes like traditional Middle Eastern kofta, which often has a more pronounced, cooked garlic profile. If you’re planning to serve this for dinner and prefer a deeper flavor, you can add the garlic earlier with the onions.
- Serving for Dinner: While this roll is excellent cold or reheated, for a truly elevated dinner experience, I highly recommend lightly searing the slices in a pan or grilling them on the stovetop. This adds a beautiful golden-brown crust and a delightful textural contrast that enhances the overall flavor.
The Versatility of Ground Chicken in Healthy Cooking
Ground chicken is a powerhouse ingredient for healthy eating. It’s a lean protein source, often lower in saturated fat than other ground meats, making it an excellent choice for a balanced diet. Its mild flavor acts as a perfect canvas, readily absorbing spices and seasonings, allowing for incredible culinary creativity. Beyond being a healthy option, ground chicken is also incredibly economical and quick to cook, making it ideal for budget-conscious families and busy schedules. From meatballs and patties to delicious stuffed rolls like this one, its adaptability ensures you never run out of exciting meal ideas.
Customizing Your Chicken Roll: Endless Flavor Combinations
While green olives offer a delightful briny burst, the beauty of this chicken roll lies in its adaptability. Consider these exciting variations to keep your meals fresh and exciting:
- Cheesy Delight: Mix in shredded mozzarella, cheddar, or a blend of your favorite cheeses for a gooey, savory center.
- Vibrant Veggies: Finely chop spinach, bell peppers, carrots, or mushrooms and incorporate them into the mixture for added nutrients and color. Ensure vegetables are finely diced to ensure they blend seamlessly into the roll.
- Mediterranean Twist: Add sun-dried tomatoes, feta cheese, and a sprinkle of dried oregano for a taste of the Mediterranean.
- Spicy Kick: A pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce can give your chicken roll a pleasant heat.
- Herbaceous Freshness: Fresh parsley, cilantro, or dill can significantly brighten the flavor profile.
Don’t be afraid to experiment with your family’s favorite ingredients to create a unique chicken roll that everyone will love!
My Personal Experience: A Lesson in Simple Joys and Healthy Choices
Just last night, my husband returned home from a brief but essential visit to Egypt for family matters. The evening prior, my eldest child, with a sparkle in their eye, proposed a wonderful idea: “Why don’t we try to make a surprise for Dad to cheer him up?” I was immediately intrigued and encouraged them, saying, “Okay, I’m all ears!”
My eldest, thoughtful as always, suggested, “We can buy him a German chocolate cake; he loves that cake so much.” My middle child, ever the analytical thinker, chimed in, “Hmm, Dad loves programming, why don’t we buy him some unlimited programming software?” The concept of “unlimited” still remains a charming mystery to me, highlighting the boundless nature of a child’s imagination!
Then came my youngest, the brilliant and free-spirited thinker, with a suggestion that perfectly encapsulated childhood innocence: “Why don’t we take him to ‘The Good Dinosaur’ movie? Hahaha!” And from there, the ideas cascaded into a delightful stream of childlike dreams. “Or,” he continued, “we could take him to Florida to watch the Dolphin show? Maybe buying him doughnuts, taking him to Krispy Kreme, or even Chuck E. Cheese’s…” His list went on and on, a truly endless parade of his absolute favorite things, starting with dinosaurs and dolphins and culminating in the irresistible allure of chocolate and pizza. For my children, the simple act of visiting a pizza place or indulging in doughnuts holds immense significance; their dreams are pure and uncomplicated, yet their imagination knows no bounds.
Although I was incredibly tempted to indulge in cakes, doughnuts, and all those sugary delights, or perhaps treat him to a fancy dinner out, I firmly decided against it. I gently reminded myself and them that we needed to scale back our consumption of sugar and processed foods. Instead, we focused on crafting a simple, hearty, and wholesome meal to welcome Daddy home, accompanied by a beautiful bouquet of roses to brighten his spirits and make him feel cherished.
Please don’t misunderstand; I’m not inherently against enjoying such treats. However, lately, these indulgences seemed to be appearing more frequently in our home. My personal goal is to help my family cleanse their bodies and empower them to make wiser choices about the food they consume. This way, we can genuinely appreciate and savor those less healthy options from time to time, as a special treat rather than a regular occurrence. It’s all about balance and conscious enjoyment.
Related Recipes to Inspire Your Culinary Journey
- Juicy Chicken Kofta: Expertly spiced and bursting with authentic Middle Eastern flavors, this recipe guarantees a delightful experience that will have your friends and family craving second helpings.
- Flavorful Ground Chicken Patties: These breaded and fried patties are cooked to crispy, golden perfection. This chicken patties recipe is truly a winner for any meal.
I genuinely hope you enjoy preparing and tasting this wonderful recipe. If you do make it, please take a moment to snap a picture and share it with the hashtag #amiraspantry. I absolutely love seeing your culinary creations on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter!
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Chicken Roll with Green Olives
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Ingredients
- 2 lb ground chicken.
- ¼ cup cream cheese.
- 3 garlic cloves – crushed.
- 1 small yellow onion- chopped.
- 2 Tablespoon flour.
- 2 Tablespoon olive oil.
- 1 teaspoon salt – or to your taste.
- ½ teaspoon cardamom powder.
- ½ teaspoon black pepper.
- ½ teaspoon paprika.
- ½ teaspoon ginger powder.
- ¼ cup of green olives, pitted and chopped.
- 4 cardamom pods and 2 bay leaves (for boiling water).
Instructions
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté for 1-2 minutes until it becomes fragrant and slightly softened. Remove the skillet from the heat and immediately stir in the crushed garlic. Continue stirring for about 30 seconds, allowing the residual heat to warm the garlic without burning it. Set aside to cool slightly.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground chicken, all the listed spices (salt, cardamom powder, black pepper, paprika, ginger powder), and the sautéed onion and garlic mixture. Using your hands, mix all the ingredients thoroughly until well combined.
- For an extra smooth and rich texture, take about one-quarter of the ground chicken mixture and process it with the cream cheese in a food processor until fully incorporated and smooth. Then, add this processed mixture back into the main bowl with the rest of the ground chicken and mix everything together again until evenly distributed. This step ensures a uniform texture and flavor throughout the roll.
- Sprinkle the flour over the ground chicken mixture and mix well. Lay out a piece of parchment paper on a clean surface. Evenly spread the ground meat mixture onto the parchment paper to form a rectangle. Arrange the chopped green olives down the center of the meat rectangle. Carefully roll the mixture into a tight log using the parchment paper to guide you. Once formed, wrap the log tightly in another piece of aluminum foil, twisting the ends securely to seal it.
- In a deep pot or Dutch oven, add enough water to fully cover the chicken log. Add the cardamom pods and bay leaves to the water, then bring it to a rolling boil over high heat. These aromatic additions will subtly infuse the chicken with flavor as it cooks.
- Once the water reaches a boil, carefully place the foil-wrapped chicken roll into the pot. Reduce the heat to medium-low, ensuring the water maintains a gentle simmer. Allow the chicken roll to cook for approximately 45 minutes, or until it is thoroughly cooked through.
- Carefully remove the cooked chicken log from the water and place it on a wire rack or plate to cool completely. Once cooled, unwrap the foil and parchment paper.
- When the log has cooled entirely, slice it into desired thickness, resembling deli meat. Serve immediately, or chill for later use.
- Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. This chicken roll is delightful served cold, making it perfect for quick lunches, or gently reheated for a warm meal.
- This versatile chicken roll is fantastic in sandwiches, as a protein-packed addition to salads, or served alongside your favorite side dishes.
- Enjoy your homemade, wholesome chicken roll!