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easy-baked-ricotta-chicken-recipe

Easy Baked Ricotta Chicken

Juicy boneless chicken breasts topped with a creamy herbed ricotta and Parmesan mixture, baked until golden and bubbly in just 40 minutes.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4 portions
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Italian-American
Calories: 380
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts patted dry with paper towels
  • 1 cup ricotta cheese whole milk preferred
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese freshly grated recommended
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning or a blend of oregano, basil, and thyme
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley chopped, optional
  • 2 tbsp olive oil drizzled over top before baking
  • 1 cup marinara sauce optional, for serving

Equipment

  • Baking dish
  • Medium mixing bowl
  • Meat thermometer
  • Paper towels

Method
 

  1. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F. Lightly grease a baking dish with olive oil to prevent sticking.
  2. Pat each chicken breast completely dry with paper towels. Place them in a single layer in the prepared baking dish.
  3. In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta, Parmesan, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and fresh parsley if using. Stir until smooth and well blended.
  4. Spoon the ricotta mixture generously over the top of each chicken breast and spread to the edges.
  5. Drizzle olive oil evenly over the ricotta-topped chicken.
  6. Bake uncovered for 25 to 30 minutes, until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F and the topping is bubbly and lightly golden. For a deeper color, broil for the last 2 to 3 minutes.
  7. Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes. Warm marinara sauce on the stove if using and serve alongside or spooned over the top.

Notes

You can assemble the dish a day ahead and refrigerate before baking. Add 5 extra minutes to bake time if going straight from the fridge. Chicken thighs can be substituted -- add 5 to 10 minutes to cook time.