- September 18, 2025
Chicken Ballotine Recipe – A French Classic for the Home Kitchen
If you’re looking for a sophisticated yet approachable main course, the chicken ballotine recipe is a perfect choice. Originating from French cuisine, a ballotine is a boneless chicken dish that’s stuffed, rolled, tied, and roasted or baked to perfection. It’s elegant enough for holidays or special occasions, yet adaptable for a weeknight dinner. Whether you want an easy chicken ballotine recipe, a classic chicken ballotine recipe, or a gourmet chicken ballotine recipe, this guide has you covered.
What is Chicken Ballotine?
A chicken ballotine is essentially a boneless chicken leg or breast that has been pounded flat, stuffed with a filling, rolled into a cylinder, tied with kitchen twine, and roasted or baked. The technique ensures even cooking while keeping the chicken moist and flavorful. It is often served with pan sauces or gravies, such as a chicken ballotine with red wine sauce recipe or a chicken ballotine with white wine sauce recipe.
Why You’ll Love This Chicken Ballotine Recipe
Elegant Presentation: Perfect for dinner parties, holidays, or festive occasions.
Juicy and Flavorful: Stuffed fillings keep the chicken moist and enhance taste.
Versatile: From stuffed chicken ballotine recipe with sausage or mushroom to vegetable or spinach fillings, there’s a version for every palate.
Customizable Cooking Methods: Roast, bake, or pan-sear to perfection.
Gourmet at Home: Make a restaurant-quality dish with simple techniques.
Ingredients – Classic French Chicken Ballotine Recipe
Here’s what you’ll need for the best chicken ballotine recipe (serves 4):
Chicken:
4 boneless, skin-on chicken breasts or thighs (boneless chicken ballotine recipe)
Salt and pepper to taste
Stuffing Options:
1 cup mushrooms, finely chopped (chicken ballotine with mushroom stuffing recipe)
1 cup fresh spinach, chopped (chicken ballotine with spinach stuffing recipe)
1/2 cup cooked sausage, crumbled (chicken ballotine with sausage stuffing recipe)
1/2 cup cooked rice or breadcrumbs (chicken ballotine with rice stuffing recipe / chicken ballotine with bread stuffing recipe)
2 tbsp onion, minced
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tbsp fresh herbs (thyme, parsley, or tarragon)
Sauce (Optional but Recommended):
1/2 cup chicken stock
1/4 cup white wine (chicken ballotine with white wine sauce recipe)
2 tbsp butter
1 tsp flour (for thickening)
Salt and pepper to taste
Additional Ingredients:
Kitchen twine for tying (chicken ballotine roulade recipe)
Olive oil or butter for searing
Step-by-Step Chicken Ballotine Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Chicken
Lay chicken breasts flat on a cutting board.
Using a meat mallet, gently pound them to an even thickness.
Season both sides with salt and pepper.
Step 2: Prepare the Stuffing
In a skillet, heat olive oil and sauté onions and garlic until translucent.
Add mushrooms, spinach, sausage, or other chosen fillings. Cook until soft.
Stir in herbs and, if desired, breadcrumbs or rice to bind the mixture.
Step 3: Assemble the Ballotine
Place a portion of stuffing onto each chicken breast.
Carefully roll the chicken around the filling.
Tie each roll with kitchen twine to secure (chicken ballotine roulade recipe).
Step 4: Sear the Chicken
Heat a skillet over medium-high heat with olive oil or butter.
Sear the chicken rolls on all sides until golden brown.
Step 5: Roast or Bake
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
Transfer seared chicken to a baking dish and roast 20–25 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). (oven roasted chicken ballotine recipe)
Step 6: Prepare the Sauce (Optional)
In the same skillet used for searing, add white wine and chicken stock.
Scrape browned bits from the pan.
Simmer until reduced, then whisk in butter and a small amount of flour for a rich sauce.
Pour over chicken before serving (chicken ballotine with white wine sauce recipe).
Variations of Chicken Ballotine Recipe
Classic Chicken Ballotine Recipe: Stuffed with mushrooms, herbs, and breadcrumbs for traditional flavor.
Chicken Ballotine with Spinach Stuffing Recipe: Light and fresh with sautéed spinach and herbs.
Chicken Ballotine with Sausage Stuffing Recipe: Rich and savory with crumbled sausage.
Chicken Ballotine with Rice or Bread Stuffing Recipe: Adds texture and absorbs pan sauces beautifully.
Crispy Chicken Ballotine Recipe: Wrap in prosciutto or puff pastry for extra crunch.
Roasted Chicken Ballotine Recipe: Traditional oven-roasted method.
Baked Chicken Ballotine Recipe: Simple, easy, and hands-off cooking.
Chicken Ballotine with Gravy Recipe: Serve with classic pan gravy for added richness.
Chicken Ballotine Christmas Recipe / Holiday Chicken Ballotine Recipe: Festive version with nuts, cranberries, or seasonal herbs.
Healthy Chicken Ballotine Recipe: Skip butter, use lean chicken breast, and load stuffing with vegetables.
French Chicken Ballotine Recipe / Gourmet Chicken Ballotine Recipe: Elegant presentation with wine-based sauce and fresh herbs.
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Pro Tips for the Perfect Chicken Ballotine
Tie Securely: Use kitchen twine to keep stuffing intact during cooking.
Don’t Overstuff: Overfilling makes rolling and cooking difficult.
Use a Thermometer: Ensures perfect doneness at 165°F.
Make Ahead: Ballotines can be assembled and refrigerated before cooking, making it ideal for dinner parties.
Presentation: Slice roulade crosswise to showcase the spiral of chicken and stuffing.
How to Serve Chicken Ballotine
Pair with creamy mashed potatoes or roasted vegetables for a traditional meal.
Serve with a light pan sauce or red wine sauce for elegance.
Slice roulade for buffet-style serving or individual plating.
Great for holiday chicken ballotine recipe presentations at Christmas or festive dinners.
Works well with pasta, rice, or seasonal side dishes.
Nutrition Value (per serving – approx. 1 chicken ballotine)
Calories: 320 kcal
Protein: 35 g
Fat: 14 g
Saturated Fat: 5 g
Carbohydrates: 12 g
Fiber: 2 g
Sugar: 1 g
Cholesterol: 110 mg
Sodium: 400 mg
Vitamin A: 8% DV
Vitamin C: 6% DV
Calcium: 8% DV
Iron: 10% DV
For a healthy chicken ballotine recipe, use lean chicken breast, skip butter, and load stuffing with vegetables to reduce fat and calories.
Common Questions About Chicken Ballotine
Q1: Can I make chicken ballotine without twine?
You can, but tying helps the roulade hold its shape during roasting. Toothpicks may also work.
Q2: Can chicken ballotine be frozen?
Yes, assemble and wrap tightly. Freeze before cooking for up to 3 months. Bake directly from frozen, adding extra cooking time.
Q3: Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Absolutely! Thighs are more forgiving and remain juicy, perfect for a crispy chicken ballotine recipe.
Q4: How do I slice for presentation?
Remove twine and slice crosswise to reveal the spiral of chicken and stuffing. Ideal for gourmet chicken ballotine recipe plating.
Interesting Facts
This chicken ballotine recipe brings French elegance to your home kitchen. From classic chicken ballotine recipe to chicken ballotine with mushroom stuffing recipe or spinach-stuffed roulades, there’s a version for every occasion. Perfect for holidays, dinner parties, or a chicken ballotine dinner recipe, it combines juicy chicken with flavorful fillings, all tied together beautifully.
Whether you’re making an easy chicken ballotine recipe for weeknights or a festive chicken ballotine recipe for Christmas, this dish impresses visually and tastes divine. Pair it with roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, or a velvety wine sauce, and you’ve got a main course that’s both elegant and comforting.
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