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Baked Ricotta Chicken with Marinara and Mozzarella Recipe

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★★★★

4 from 71 reviews

Baked Ricotta Chicken is a hearty and flavorful dish featuring tender chicken breasts topped with a creamy ricotta and parmesan mixture, smothered in marinara sauce, and baked to melty perfection with mozzarella cheese. Perfect for a comforting dinner, this recipe combines Italian-inspired flavors with an easy, all-in-one casserole method.

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 Toppings

  • 2 cups marinara sauce
  • 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
  • Fresh basil, optional, for serving

Instructions

  1. Prepare Oven and Chicken: Preheat your oven to 375°F and move the rack to the top third of the oven. Cut the chicken breasts in half lengthwise to make four thinner cutlets, then season each piece generously with salt and pepper.
  2. Make Cheese Mixture: In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, freshly grated parmesan, minced garlic, and Italian seasoning. Mix thoroughly until well incorporated.
  3. Layer Marinara Sauce: Pour half of the marinara sauce into a 9×13-inch casserole dish and spread it evenly to create a flavorful base layer.
  4. Assemble Chicken and Ricotta: Arrange the seasoned chicken cutlets side-by-side over the marinara sauce in the casserole dish. Evenly spread the ricotta cheese mixture on top of each chicken piece to cover them.
  5. Add Remaining Sauce: Spoon the remaining marinara sauce over each piece of ricotta-covered chicken, ensuring they are well coated.
  6. Bake Covered: Tightly cover the casserole dish with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes in the preheated oven to start cooking the chicken and blend flavors.
  7. Add Mozzarella and Continue Baking: Remove the casserole dish from the oven, carefully take off the foil, then sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the chicken. Return the dish to the oven, uncovered, and bake for an additional 15 minutes or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
  8. Optional Broil for Browning: For a golden brown cheese topping, broil the casserole for 1-2 minutes, watching closely to avoid burning.
  9. Rest and Serve: Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before serving. Adjust seasoning with extra salt and pepper if needed, and garnish with fresh basil for added flavor and color.

Notes

  • This recipe yields extra marinara sauce which pairs wonderfully when served over pasta, rice, or mashed potatoes.
  • Oven temperatures and chicken breast sizes vary; use an instant-read thermometer to ensure the chicken is cooked to a safe internal temperature of 165°F.
  • For a lighter option, consider using low-fat ricotta cheese or less mozzarella cheese.

Keywords: Baked Ricotta Chicken, Italian Chicken Recipe, Chicken with Ricotta Cheese, Easy Baked Chicken, Italian Casserole, Comfort Food

Find it online: https://epicrecipebox.com/baked-ricotta-chicken-with-marinara-and-mozzarella-recipe/