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Looking down at a round dish of baked chicken breast topped with ricotta, mozzarella, and marinara sauce, sprinkled with parmesan and Italian seasoning.

Baked Ricotta Chicken

Cheesy baked ricotta chicken with marinara and mozzarella, ready in 40 minutes for a hearty dinner.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian-American
Servings 4 servings
Calories 540 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 large chicken breasts halved lengthwise
  • Salt & black pepper to taste
  • 1 cup whole-milk ricotta cheese recommended
  • 1 cup freshly shredded parmesan cheese
  • 3 garlic cloves minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon Italian herb blend
  • 2 cups marinara sauce
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • Fresh basil leaves optional, for garnish

Instructions
 

  • Preheat Oven to 375°F:

    Heat oven to 375°F (190°C) and adjust rack to upper third position.

  • Slice and Season Chicken:

    Slice each chicken breast lengthwise into two equal cutlets, then season both sides with salt and pepper.

  • Mix Ricotta Filling:

    In a medium bowl, combine ricotta, parmesan, minced garlic, and Italian seasoning; stir until uniform.

  • Spread Marinara in Dish:

    Spread half the marinara sauce evenly over the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish.

  • Arrange Chicken and Ricotta:

    Place chicken pieces side by side in the dish, then evenly distribute the ricotta mixture on top of each cutlet.

  • Top with Remaining Sauce:

    Spoon remaining marinara sauce over each piece of chicken.

  • Bake Covered for 20 Minutes:

    Cover dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes.

  • Add Mozzarella and Finish Baking:

    Remove from oven, discard foil, and sprinkle mozzarella over the chicken. Return to oven uncovered and bake until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C), about 15 minutes.

  • Broil to Brown Cheese:

    Optionally, switch to broil for 1-2 minutes to brown the cheese, watching carefully to prevent burning.

  • Rest and Garnish:

    Let rest several minutes before serving. Adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if desired, and garnish with fresh basil.
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