Baked Ricotta Chicken

Baked Ricotta Chicken is a tasty and soothing meal that has tender chicken breast packed with creamy ricotta cheese and tasty herbs. We’ll talk about how to cook this delicious cuisine that would be great for a family dinner or a special event in this article.

This easy but fancy dish, Baked Ricotta Chicken, will surely please your taste buds. The juicy chicken breast and creamy ricotta cheese, which are scented with garlic, herbs, and lemon zest, make each bite taste amazing. This recipe is simple to make and great for a cozy night in or a big dinner party.

Ingredients

• Breast of Chicken
• Cheese Ricotta
• Parmesan Cheese
• Garlic
• Fresh herbs like basil, parsley, or thyme
• Salt & pepper, lemon zest
• Olive oil
• Toothpicks

Preparation Instructions

Set the temperature of your oven to the right level before you start. You can use a meat mallet to pound the chicken breasts to an equal thickness if they are thick. This will make it easier to stuff them. To make the ricotta combination, put the ricotta cheese, grated Parmesan cheese, minced garlic, chopped fresh herbs, lemon zest, salt, and pepper in a bowl and mix them together.

With a sharp knife, cut a pocket in the side of each chicken breast for the ricotta filling. Be careful not to cut all the way through. Fill each chicken breast with a big dollop of the ricotta mixture, then use toothpicks to hold the opening shut.

Put the stuffed chicken breasts in a baking dish with the seam side down and pour olive oil on top. Season the tops of the chicken breasts with additional salt and pepper, if desired. Put the chicken in the oven that has already been heated and bake it for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbling and golden brown.

Take the Baked Ricotta Chicken out of the oven when it’s done and let it sit for a few minutes before serving. Add more fresh herbs and lemon zest to the chicken to give it a blast of flavor and freshness. You can serve the chicken with your favorite side dishes, like mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, or a fresh green salad.

You can change this recipe to fit your tastes. For more taste and nutrition, you can stir in chopped spinach or sun-dried tomatoes with the ricotta. You can also try using different kinds of cheese instead of Parmesan, like mozzarella or goat cheese, to change the flavor. Use gluten-free breadcrumbs or leave them out completely to make this dish gluten-free.

Cooking Tips

• Cut the chicken breasts into tiny slices to make them simpler to fill and cook faster.
• To keep your chicken breasts from drying out, change the cooking time based on how thick they are.
• Check the inside of the chicken with a meat thermometer. It should be 165°F (75°C) when it is thoroughly cooked.

Health Benefits

Not only is Baked Ricotta Chicken tasty, but it’s also good for you. Chicken breast is a good source of protein that isn’t too fatty. Ricotta cheese offers calcium and protein. Fresh herbs and garlic are good sources of vitamins and antioxidants. Lemon zest offers a blast of citrus flavor and vitamin C.

Baked Ricotta Chicken Recipe

• 2 big chicken breasts split in half lengthwise
• Salt & pepper to taste
• 1 cup ricotta cheese whole milk preferred
• 1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
• 3 cloves of garlic, chopped up
• 1/2 teaspoon of Italian spice
• 2 cups marinara sauce
• 2 cups mozzarella cheese shredded
• Fresh basil optional (for serving)

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 375F and move the rack to the top third of the oven.
2. Cut the chicken in half lengthwise to produce four thinner cutlets, then season the chicken with salt & pepper.
3. To a medium bowl, add the ricotta, parmesan, garlic, and Italian seasoning, and mix together.
4. Put half of the marinara sauce in a 9×13 casserole dish and smooth it out evenly.
5. Put the chicken in the casserole dish next to each other, and then sprinkle the ricotta mixture over each piece of chicken.
6. Put the rest of the marinara sauce on top of each piece of chicken.
7. Cover the casserole dish tightly with foil and bake it for 20 minutes.
8. Take the casserole dish out of the oven and take off the foil. Put the chicken back in the oven, uncovered, for 15 minutes or until it reaches 165F and is fully cooked.
9. If you want, you may broil it for a few minutes to brown the cheese (but be careful not to let it burn).
10. Before serving, let the chicken sit for a few minutes. If you want, you can add more salt and pepper to taste. If you’re using fresh basil, add some on top.

In the end, Baked Ricotta Chicken is a tasty and filling meal that works for any occasion. This recipe is guaranteed to become a new favorite because it has soft chicken breast packed with creamy ricotta cheese and fragrant herbs. Whether you serve it for a family dinner or a dinner party with guests, Baked Ricotta Chicken is sure to wow.

Source: saltandlavender.com