Plank Chicken Rolls Done 2 Ways

This dish is so fun and so tasty because you can use the planks and have variety in preparation.  You can do the whole family the same way or easily split up the ingredients to "experiement".  Whether your preferred method is in the oven or on the grill, both cooking methods will give you fabulous and tasty results.  For ease during the weekday with kids running around and the husband rushing home, or during the winter when I dread going outside, I like the oven, but for a relaxing, more festive weekend dinner in the summer the grill is great.  Any style plank works well.  Use the flavor you like best or vary it and try different ones each time to see how the flavor changes.  Some, like hickory, are more smoky and flavorful while the black cherry I used is more sweet and mild.  You can even change the flavoring depending on the medium you soak the plank in, from apple juice, water, a combination, or diluting a non-flamable liquor such as a white or red wine with water.  Play and have fun with it!

Plank Chicken Rolls Done 2 Ways

 

METHOD 1 Ingredients:

2 chicken cutlets (thin sliced chicken breasts)

2 slices mozzarella cheese, Polly-O brand preferred, each slice cut 1/8 inch thick and ½-1inch wide

10 leaves baby spinach

6-8 leaves basil

olive oil

1 Tbsp Lawry’s Perfect Blend Seasoning and Rub for Chicken and Poultry or see mix below

METHOD 2 Ingredients:

2 chicken cutlets (thin sliced chicken breasts)

2 slices smoked mozzarella cheese, each slice cut 1/8 inch thick and ½-1inch wide

10 leaves baby spinach

6-8 leaves basil

2 thinly sliced pieces of prosciutto

olive oil

1 Tbsp Lawry’s Perfect Blend Seasoning and Rub for Chicken and Poultry or see mix below

Seaoning:

1 Tbsp fine ground sea salt,

1 Tbsp garlic powder,

½ Tbsp pepper

1 tsp paprika

1 tsp dried rosemary, ground

1 tsp dried thyme, ground

1 tsp celery seed, ground

1/8 tsp red pepper, ground

½ tsp sugar

Combine seasoning ingredients.  Pulse in mini cusinart or blender for easier process until fine ground.

Additional Items:

1 Cedar plank for 2 roll ups (each cutlet = 1 roll up) – in the photo depicted these were Black Cherry planks but a Hickory, Oak, Cedar or any food grade plank of your favorite variety will work well

Toothpicks

1 Gallon Apple Juice (optional) – soaks 2 planks

For Both Methods:

Soak planks in apple juice or water for minimum 1 hour prior to cooking.  The apple juice will cut the smoky flavor of the plank and make a more mellow and sweet aroma while imparting the flavor of the plank.  Try half juice half water if you prefer.

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.  If grilling, preheat grill to High heat.

Pound each cutlet so it is a bit thinner and wider than as is.

Method 1:

On each cutlet place one layer of spinach leaves, leaving edges clear.  Repeat with layer of basil.  Starting at the point you are going to begin your roll place one slice of cheese then roll over once, place another piece of cheese on seam of that roll, and continue process until cutlet is completely rolled up.  Secure top and tail ends of roll up with toothpicks.  Brush with olive oil and sprinkle with rub mixture.  Remove cedar plank from soaking, place on baking pan.  Put chicken on planks and place in oven.  Reduce heat to 400 degrees and bake for approximately 15-20 minutes.   

This can also be cooked on the grill.  Start grill on high heat and reduce to med-hi when plank and chicken rolls are placed on. 

Remove toothpicks, slice and serve warm.

Method 2:

On each cutlet place one layer of single slice of proccuitto.  Next layer spinach leaves, leaving edges clear.  Repeat with layer of basil.  Starting at the point you are going to begin your roll place one slice of smoked mozzarella cheese then roll over once, place another piece of cheese on seam of that roll, and continue process until cutlet is completely rolled up.  Secure top and tail ends of roll up with toothpicks.  Brush with olive oil and sprinkle with rub mixture.  Remove cedar plank from soaking, place on baking pan.  Put chicken on planks and place in oven.  Reduce heat to 400 degrees and bake for approximately 15-20 minutes.   

This can also be cooked on the grill.  Start grill on high heat and reduce to med-hi when plank and chicken rolls are placed on.  

Remove toothpicks, slice and serve warm.

Each Method Yields 2 Servings