Description
Baked Ricotta Chicken is a comforting Italian-inspired dish featuring tender chicken breasts topped with a creamy ricotta and parmesan mixture, layered with rich marinara sauce, and melted mozzarella cheese. This easy-to-make casserole is perfect for a family dinner and delivers a delicious blend of cheesy, garlicky flavors with a crispy, golden finish when broiled.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 large chicken breasts (cut in half lengthwise)
- Salt & pepper to taste
Cheese Mixture
- 1 cup ricotta cheese (whole milk preferred)
- 1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Sauce and Topping
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese (shredded)
- Fresh basil (optional, for serving)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F and position the oven rack to the top third, preparing for even baking and melting of cheese.
- Prepare Chicken: Cut the chicken breasts in half lengthwise to create four thin cutlets. Season each piece generously with salt and pepper on both sides.
- Make Cheese Mixture: In a medium bowl, combine ricotta cheese, freshly grated parmesan, minced garlic, and Italian seasoning. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well blended.
- Layer Marinara: Pour half of the marinara sauce evenly into a 9×13 inch casserole dish, creating a flavorful base for the chicken.
- Arrange Chicken and Cheese: Place the seasoned chicken cutlets side by side over the marinara sauce. Spread the ricotta cheese mixture evenly on top of each chicken piece to ensure creamy coverage.
- Add More Marinara: Spoon the remaining marinara sauce over each piece of chicken, coating the cheese topping and sealing in moisture.
- Bake Covered: Cover the casserole dish tightly with foil to trap steam and tenderize the chicken. Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.
- Uncover and Add Mozzarella: Carefully remove the foil from the dish. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese over the chicken. Return the uncovered dish to the oven, baking for an additional 15 minutes or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Optional Broil: For a golden brown cheese topping, broil the chicken for 2-3 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning.
- Rest and Serve: Remove from oven and let the chicken rest for a few minutes. Season with extra salt and pepper if desired, and garnish with fresh basil before serving.
Notes
- You can substitute whole milk ricotta with part-skim ricotta for a lighter option, but whole milk ricotta yields a creamier texture.
- For a spicier version, add red pepper flakes to the ricotta mixture or marinara sauce.
- Check chicken doneness with a meat thermometer to ensure it reaches 165°F for safe consumption.
- Leftovers keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat nicely in the oven or microwave.
- Fresh basil adds bright flavor and color but can be omitted if unavailable.
