Description
Baked Ricotta Chicken is a flavorful and comforting dish featuring tender chicken breasts topped with a creamy ricotta mixture, rich marinara sauce, and melted mozzarella cheese. This easy-to-make recipe combines Italian-inspired herbs and cheeses, baked to perfection for a cheesy, saucy main course that pairs wonderfully with pasta, salad, or roasted vegetables.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder (divided, for seasoning and ricotta mixture)
Ricotta Mixture
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 tablespoons fresh chopped basil (plus more for garnish)
Sauce and Topping
- 1 ½ cups marinara sauce
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking and prepare for baking the chicken.
- Season the Chicken: Place the chicken breasts in the prepared baking dish. Season both sides of each breast with salt, pepper, and a pinch of garlic powder to enhance flavor.
- Prepare the Ricotta Mixture: In a mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, egg, grated Parmesan cheese, fresh chopped basil, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and onion powder. Stir everything together until the mixture is creamy and smooth.
- Apply Ricotta Mixture: Spoon and spread the ricotta mixture evenly over the top of each chicken breast, creating a flavorful layer that will bake into a delicious topping.
- Add Marinara Sauce: Pour marinara sauce around and slightly over the chicken breasts, being careful not to completely cover the ricotta layer to allow it to brown and set.
- Top with Mozzarella: Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly on top of each breast. Optionally, add extra Parmesan cheese or basil for added flavor and presentation.
- Bake Covered: Loosely cover the baking dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes, allowing the chicken to cook through and the flavors to meld.
- Bake Uncovered: Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 10–15 minutes until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and the cheese is golden and bubbly.
- Rest and Serve: Let the baked chicken rest for 5 minutes after removing it from the oven. Garnish with fresh basil before serving for a fresh, aromatic finish.
Notes
- Ensure chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) for safe consumption.
- You can substitute fresh basil with dried basil if fresh is unavailable, but reduce quantity accordingly.
- For a lower-fat version, use part-skim ricotta and mozzarella cheeses.
- This dish pairs well with pasta, steamed vegetables, or a fresh green salad.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
