Baked Ricotta Chicken Delight (Printable Version)
Juicy chicken breasts topped with a creamy ricotta-cheese blend and rich marinara sauce, baked to perfection.
# Everything You’ll Need:
→ Sauce
01 -
1 1/2 cups jarred marinara sauce
→ Protein
02 -
4 boneless skinless chicken breasts, trimmed and pounded to 1/2 inch thickness (approximately 1 3/4 to 2 pounds)
→ Cheese Mixture
03 -
1 1/4 cups whole milk ricotta cheese
04 -
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
05 -
2 1/2 cups whole milk mozzarella cheese, shredded (from an 8-ounce block, divided)
06 -
1 large egg, room temperature
→ Seasonings
07 -
3/4 teaspoon garlic powder
08 -
3/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning blend
09 -
1/2 teaspoon salt
10 -
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
→ Garnish
11 -
1 tablespoon fresh basil, chopped (optional)
# Steps to Cook:
01 -
Preheat the oven to 375°F. Spread 3/4 cup of marinara sauce evenly in the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish. Reserve the remaining 3/4 cup of marinara sauce for later use.
02 -
Place the chicken breasts in a single layer over the marinara sauce in the baking dish and set aside.
03 -
In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella, egg, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Stir until the mixture is smooth and fully blended.
04 -
Divide the cheese mixture evenly among the four chicken breasts, spreading each portion uniformly over the surface.
05 -
Spoon the reserved 3/4 cup marinara sauce evenly over the cheese-coated chicken breasts. Gently spread without mixing into the cheese layer.
06 -
Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes.
07 -
Remove foil, sprinkle remaining shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over each chicken breast, and return to oven. Bake for an additional 15-20 minutes or until cheese is melted and chicken reaches an internal temperature of 160°-165°F.
08 -
Optionally broil the cheese for the last 2-3 minutes to achieve a golden brown finish, monitoring closely to avoid burning.
09 -
Remove from oven and allow to rest for 3-5 minutes before garnishing with chopped fresh basil, if desired.
# Extra Suggestions:
01 -
Pounding chicken breasts evenly ensures uniform cooking. Resting after baking maintains juiciness.