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Baked Ricotta Chicken Recipe

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4.3 from 81 reviews

  • Author: Sky
  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: Serves 4
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Description

This Baked Ricotta Chicken recipe offers a deliciously cheesy and comforting Italian-inspired meal. Tender chicken breasts are layered with a creamy ricotta and parmesan mixture, topped with marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese, then baked to perfection. It's an easy, gluten-free dish perfect for a family dinner or special occasion.

Ingredients

Chicken

  • 2 large boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut in half lengthwise
  • Kosher salt, to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Cheese Mixture

  • 1 cup ricotta cheese
  • 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, freshly grated
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil or 1 tablespoon fresh, minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning

Other Ingredients

  • 2 cups marinara sauce
  • 1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese, grated
  • Fresh basil, for serving (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it is at the right temperature for baking the chicken evenly.
  2. Season Chicken: Liberally season the chicken breasts with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Set them aside while you prepare the cheese mixture.
  3. Prepare Cheese Mixture: In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, freshly grated parmesan cheese, minced garlic, dried or fresh basil, and Italian seasoning. Stir well until all ingredients are evenly blended.
  4. Arrange Marinara Sauce: Spread half of the marinara sauce evenly on the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish to create a flavorful base layer for the chicken.
  5. Layer Chicken and Cheese Mixture: Place the seasoned chicken breasts in the baking dish over the marinara sauce. Then, top each piece of chicken evenly with the ricotta cheese mixture, spreading it carefully to cover the chicken.
  6. Add Remaining Sauce and Bake Covered: Spoon the remaining marinara sauce over the top of the ricotta mixture. Cover the dish tightly with foil to keep moisture in and bake for 20 minutes.
  7. Top with Mozzarella and Continue Baking: Remove the foil, sprinkle the grated mozzarella cheese evenly over the chicken, and return the dish to the oven. Bake uncovered for about 15 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and is cooked through.
  8. Broil for Browning (Optional): For a golden, bubbly cheese topping, broil the chicken on high for 1–2 minutes, watching closely to avoid burning.
  9. Rest and Serve: Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes after removing from the oven to allow juices to settle. Garnish with fresh basil, if desired, and serve hot.

Notes

  • You can substitute fresh basil for dried, but reduce the quantity as fresh herbs have a more intense flavor.
  • Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken is cooked to the safe internal temperature of 165°F.
  • Covering the dish while baking helps keep the chicken moist and tender.
  • To make this recipe lower in fat, use part-skim ricotta and reduced-fat mozzarella.
  • Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently in the oven or microwave.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 35 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Italian

Find it online: https://skysrecipes.com/baked-ricotta-chicken-recipe/