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Baked Ricotta Chicken Recipe

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★★★★★

4.4 from 788 reviews

A comforting and flavorful baked ricotta chicken recipe featuring seared chicken breasts topped with a creamy ricotta and garlic mixture, baked in a savory marinara sauce until perfectly cooked and bubbling. This dish offers a rich Italian-inspired dinner option that’s easy to prepare in a single skillet.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

  • 1¾ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 4 breasts)
  • 2–3 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil or avocado oil
  • Kosher salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste

Ricotta Mixture

  • 1 cup ricotta cheese
  • 3–4 garlic cloves, minced (use 3 if large cloves)
  • 1½ teaspoons Italian seasoning

Sauce

  • 24 oz marinara sauce

Optional

  • Fresh parsley, chopped for garnish

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prepare Chicken: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels and season both sides generously with kosher salt and black pepper to enhance their flavor.
  2. Sear the Chicken: Heat a cast iron or oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat and add 2-3 teaspoons of your chosen oil. Once hot, sear the chicken breasts for 2-3 minutes per side until they develop a light golden-brown crust, which locks in moisture and flavor.
  3. Prepare Ricotta Mixture: While the chicken sears, combine the ricotta cheese, minced garlic, and Italian seasoning in a bowl. Stir well to evenly distribute the flavors.
  4. Assemble in Skillet: Remove the seared chicken breasts from the skillet and set the pan aside on a heat-safe surface. Spoon the marinara sauce around the bottom of the skillet to create a flavorful base. Then, evenly spread about ¼ cup of the ricotta mixture on top of each chicken breast.
  5. Bake the Chicken: Place the skillet in the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes. Bake until the ricotta topping is slightly browned and bubbling, and a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the chicken reads at least 165°F (74°C) to ensure it is fully cooked.
  6. Serve: Remove from the oven and let the chicken rest briefly. Serve warm with the marinara sauce spooned over or under the chicken, garnished with chopped parsley if desired.

Notes

  • Use a cast iron or other oven-safe skillet for best results, as this allows you to sear and then bake without transferring the chicken.
  • If you don’t have Italian seasoning, a mix of dried oregano, basil, and thyme can be used instead.
  • Make sure the chicken is fully cooked by checking the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
  • Ricotta cheese can be substituted with cottage cheese for a slightly different texture.
  • Leftover chicken can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Keywords: baked ricotta chicken, ricotta chicken recipe, baked chicken breasts, Italian chicken recipe, easy chicken dinner, skillet chicken bake

Find it online: https://dailysimplerecipe.com/baked-ricotta-chicken-recipe/