Introduction
Ricotta Chicken is a simple yet elegant dish featuring tender chicken breasts baked under a creamy ricotta mixture with garlic, herbs, and Parmesan. It’s light, flavorful, and pairs beautifully with pasta, rice, or roasted vegetables.
⏱️ Prep Time
- Preparation Time: 10 minutes
- Cooking Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
🧰 Equipment
- Baking dish
- Mixing bowl
- Spoon or spatula
- Measuring cups and spoons
📝 Ingredients (Serves 4)
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup whole-milk ricotta cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Optional toppings:
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella
- Fresh parsley or basil, chopped
📌 Ingredient Notes
- Ricotta: Whole-milk ricotta gives the creamiest texture.
- Chicken: Pound lightly for even cooking.
- Cheese: Parmesan adds savory depth.
👩🍳 Instructions
- Preheat Oven
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease baking dish.
- Season Chicken
- Rub chicken with olive oil, salt, pepper, and paprika.
- Place in baking dish.
- Make Ricotta Mixture
- In a bowl, mix ricotta, Parmesan, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- Assemble
- Spread ricotta mixture evenly over chicken.
- Sprinkle mozzarella on top if using.
- Bake
- Bake uncovered for 25–30 minutes, until chicken reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Serve
- Garnish with fresh herbs and serve warm.
🧾 Nutrition Facts (Approx. per serving)
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Protein: 42 g
- Fat: 22 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Sodium: 620 mg
💡 Tips
- Broil for 2–3 minutes at the end for a golden top.
- Let chicken rest 5 minutes before serving.
- Add lemon zest for brightness.
🔄 Variations
- Spinach Ricotta Chicken: Mix sautéed spinach into ricotta.
- Tomato Ricotta Chicken: Add cherry tomatoes around chicken.
- Low-Carb: Serve with zucchini noodles or cauliflower mash.
- Creamy Lemon: Add lemon juice and zest to ricotta mixture.
