Description
Baked Ricotta Chicken is a delightfully cheesy and easy dish that features tender chicken breasts topped with a creamy ricotta and mozzarella cheese mixture, baked in marinara sauce.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 ½ cups jarred marinara sauce
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts, trimmed and pounded to an even ½ inch thickness (approximately 1 ¾ to 2 pounds)
- 1 ¼ cups whole milk ricotta cheese
- 1 cup parmesan cheese, freshly grated
- 2 ½ cups whole milk mozzarella cheese (divided)
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- ¾ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¾ teaspoon Italian seasoning blend
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon fresh basil, chopped (optional garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F.
- Spread half (¾ cup) of the marinara sauce evenly into the bottom of a 9×13 baking dish. Reserve the remaining ¾ cup for later.
- Place the boneless skinless chicken breasts into the baking dish in a single layer and set aside.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, parmesan cheese, ½ cup of mozzarella cheese, egg, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper, stirring until smooth.
- Divide the cheese mixture evenly and spread it over each chicken breast.
- Spoon the remaining marinara sauce over the cheese-coated chicken breasts without mixing it into the cheese too much.
- Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes.
- Remove the foil, sprinkle remaining mozzarella cheese over the chicken, and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes until the cheese is melted and the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 160°-165°F. Optionally broil for 2-3 minutes to brown the cheese.
- Remove from the oven and let it rest for 3-5 minutes. Optionally garnish with fresh basil before serving.
Notes
- Ensure the chicken is pounded to an even thickness for uniform cooking.
- Use fresh, grated parmesan and mozzarella for better flavor.
- Monitor the broiling step closely to avoid burning the cheese.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40-45 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with cheese and sauce
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 50g
- Cholesterol: 150mg