Toasted Almond Chicken Roulade in Orange Cream Sauce

by Lora Wiley-Lennartz
Toasted Almond Chicken Roulade in Orange Cream Sauce

What I love about this gorgeous chicken dish packed with sexy flavor is its seasonal flexibility. For winter months, this Toasted Almond Chicken Roulade in Orange Cream Sauce presents a cheerful addition to any meal on a gloomy winter day. Also, it’s perfect for special occasions like Christmas or Easter. Additionally, it is a total winner and a table stunner for any family special occasion.

orange and blanched almond leaves

Lightly marinate boneless chicken breasts with mild yellow mustard, Then roll them up around a mixture of toasted almond leaves, freshly chopped dill, and orange zest. The chicken roulade is then skillet-simmered in an orange cream white wine sauce. Reduce the calories and fat by using Half & Half or a lighter version of the heavy cream. Spice it up with a sharper-flavored mustard, like Dijon.

Toasted Almond Chicken Roulade in Orange Cream Sauce

Toast Those Almonds! Here’s Why:

Toasting the almonds makes all the difference in flavor. Don’t skip this step in making this Toasted Almond Chicken Roulade in Orange Cream Sauce. It only takes a few minutes to do. Toasting almonds before adding them to a dish offers several benefits that enhance the overall quality of the dish:

  • Enhanced Flavor: Toasting almonds brings out their natural oils and enhances their nutty flavor. This makes them richer in taste.
  • Improved Texture: The toasting process gives almonds a crispier texture, adding a satisfying crunch to dishes.
  • Better Aroma: Toasting releases the nuts’ natural aroma, making them more fragrant and appealing when incorporated into recipes.
  • Visual Appeal: Toasted almonds have a slightly darker, golden-brown color, which can improve the visual presentation of the dish.
  • Versatility: Toasted almonds can complement both sweet and savory dishes. For example: salads and vegetable dishes as well as baked goods and desserts.
  • Nutrient Availability: Toasting can make certain nutrients more bioavailable and easier for the body to absorb.

Overall, toasting almonds is a simple step that can significantly elevate the taste, texture, and appeal of a wide range of dishes.

toasting almonds

This dish has a light flavor combination that packs a punch. It is season-proof. For example, pair it with a simple salad in summer or a side of butter noodles in the colder months.

Toasted Almond Chicken Roulade in Orange Cream Sauce

Toasted Almond Chicken Roulade in Orange Cream Sauce


Course Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine American, German
Keyword Chicken Roulade
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings 6
Author Lora Wiley-Lennartz

Ingredients

  • 6 large boneless chicken breasts
  • Kosher salt & freshly ground black pepper
  • 3 tablespoons mild yellow mustard
  • 1 cup blanched almond leaves
  • 2 oranges plus some extra orange slices for garnish, if desired
  • 1 tablespoon freshly chopped dill plus some sprigs for garnish if desired.
  • 2 medium yellow or white onions
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1/2 cup dry white wine
  • 1/2 teaspoon white granulated sugar
  • 1 cup heavy cream

Instructions

  1. Rinse the chicken breasts and pat them dry with a paper towel. Pound them flat. you don't want to pound them as flat as a schnitzel cut, but flat enough to fill and roll.
  2. Season the chicken with salt and pepper on both sides.
  3. Use a pastry brush to coat the chicken breasts on the inner side with the mild mustard and set the seasoned chicken aside for 10 minutes.
  4. Place the blanched almond leaves in a frying pan over medium heat.
  5. Stir the almonds frequently until they start to brown. Remove and set aside. Warning - do not turn your back on the toasted almonds. They can burn very quickly.
  6. Rinse the oranges and pat dry. Zest both oranges and juice them. Reserve the juice. In a small bowl, mix the toasted almond leaves with the orange zest and the freshly chopped dill. You may want to reserve a few tablespoons of toasted almonds for garnish.
  7. Divide the mixture between the chicken breasts, coating the top sides of each.
  8. Roll the chicken breasts up individually. Tie each of them up with kitchen twine.
  9. Peel the onions and cut into small pieces.
  10. Heat the unsalted butter over medium heat in a large skillet. Cook the onions, stirring frequently until they become transparent.
  11. Add the white wine and the orange juice to the pan, stirring constantly. Season the sauce with kosher salt, freshly ground pepper and the white granulated sugar.
  12. When the sauce is simmering, place the chicken rolls in the pan, cover and cook over medium heat for 10 -15 minutes or until the meat is completely cooked.
  13. Transfer the chicken rolls from the skillet to a warm serving plate. Cover the plate with aluminum foil and store in a warm place.
  14. Slowly add the heavy cream to the pan, stirring constantly until the sauce thickens. If the sauce is too thin, stir in all-purpose flour or cornstarch, one tablespoon at a time.
  15. Remove the chicken rolls from their warm place. discard the aluminum foil. Remove the kitchen twine from each roll and discard. Pour the creamy orange sauce over the top.
  16. If you like, garnish with orange slices, dill springs, and toasted almonds and serve.
Toasted Almond Chicken Roulade in Orange Cream Sauce

Like this Toasted Almond Chicken Roulade in Orange Cream Sauce? Also, check out some of these other delicious recipes:

Plum Havarti Chicken Roulade

PLUM HAVARTI CHICKEN ROULADE

BACON CHICKEN CHEESE ROULADE

Lemon Basil Beef Roulade

LEMON BASIL BEEF ROULADE

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