Baked Ricotta Chicken (Print version)
Tender chicken with creamy ricotta herb topping, baked until golden and bubbly.
# What goes in:
→ Meats
01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
→ Dairy
02 - 1 cup ricotta cheese
03 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
04 - 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
→ Vegetables & Herbs
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (plus extra for garnish)
07 - 1 tablespoon fresh basil, chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried basil)
→ Spices & Seasonings
08 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
09 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
10 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
11 - 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
→ Other
12 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
13 - 1/2 cup marinara sauce (optional, for serving)
# Cooking steps:
01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a baking dish with olive oil.
02 - Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels and season both sides with salt and pepper.
03 - Place the seasoned chicken breasts in the prepared baking dish in a single layer.
04 - In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta, Parmesan, half of the mozzarella, minced garlic, chopped parsley, basil, dried oregano, and crushed red pepper flakes. Mix until well blended.
05 - Spread the ricotta mixture evenly over each chicken breast, then sprinkle the remaining mozzarella on top.
06 - Drizzle the olive oil over the topped chicken breasts.
07 - Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and the tops are golden brown.
08 - Garnish with additional chopped parsley and serve hot, with marinara sauce on the side if desired.
# Tips from flavorandfeast:
01 -
- It transforms basic chicken breasts into something that tastes like you spent far more effort than forty five minutes.
- The ricotta topping stays incredibly moist and creamy, solving the dry chicken problem forever.
- Everything cooks in one dish, which means cleanup is almost nonexistent.
02 -
- If your chicken breasts vary widely in thickness, pound them to an even half inch or the thin ends will dry out before the thick centers cook through.
- Let the baked chicken rest for five minutes before serving because the juices redistribute and the ricotta topping sets slightly.
03 -
- Use a fork to poke a few holes in each chicken breast before topping so the ricotta mixture seeps slightly into the meat for extra flavor penetration.
- Broil for the final two minutes if you want a more deeply browned and bubbly cheese top.