Description
This Baked Ricotta Chicken delivers a creamy, cheesy delight that melts in your mouth with tender, juicy results. Prepare a simple yet impressive dinner that brings Mediterranean comfort straight to your table.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Proteins:
- 2 large boneless skinless chicken breasts
Cheeses:
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- ½ cup parmesan cheese
- 1 ½ cups mozzarella cheese
Seasonings and Extras:
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- Fresh basil
- Kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F and coat a 9×13 inch baking dish with cooking spray, ensuring every corner gets covered.
- Pat 2 chicken breasts dry with paper towels and slice each horizontally into two even pieces. Season each piece with ½ teaspoon kosher salt and ¼ teaspoon black pepper.
- In a medium mixing bowl, combine 1 cup ricotta, ½ cup parmesan, 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 teaspoon dried basil, and ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning until smoothly blended.
- Spread 2 tablespoons ricotta mixture onto the center of each chicken piece, carefully rolling from one end to the other and securing with 2-3 toothpicks.
- Arrange rolled chicken pieces seam-side down in the prepared baking dish, keeping them slightly separated.
- Pour 2 cups marinara sauce evenly over the chicken, ensuring each piece gets covered with sauce.
- Sprinkle 1 ½ cups mozzarella cheese across the top, distributing it uniformly over the chicken and sauce.
- Slide the baking dish into the preheated 375°F oven and bake for exactly 28 minutes, checking that chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes before extracting toothpicks. Garnish with fresh basil leaves if desired.
Notes
- Slice chicken breasts horizontally to create a larger surface for more ricotta filling and easier rolling.
- Ensure chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F to guarantee safe cooking and prevent dryness.
- Pat chicken dry before seasoning to help the spices adhere better and create a more flavorful exterior.
- For a lower-carb version, swap marinara with a homemade tomato sauce or skip the sauce entirely and add extra herbs.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Category: Baked
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 460 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 26 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 46 g
- Cholesterol: 140 mg