Creamy Ricotta Chicken Bake (Printable View)
Creamy ricotta-topped chicken baked with mozzarella and herbs for a comforting weeknight meal.
# Ingredient List:
→ Chicken
01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
→ Ricotta Mixture
02 - 1 cup (240 g) ricotta cheese
03 - 1/2 cup (50 g) grated Parmesan cheese
04 - 1 large egg
05 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (or 1 tablespoon dried)
06 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
07 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
08 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
→ Topping
09 - 1 cup (100 g) shredded mozzarella cheese
10 - 1/3 cup (30 g) breadcrumbs (gluten-free optional)
11 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
12 - 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs
# How to Prepare:
01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a baking dish large enough to hold the chicken breasts in a single layer.
02 - Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels and arrange them in the prepared baking dish.
03 - In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, egg, parsley, garlic, salt, and pepper. Mix until smooth and well blended.
04 - Spoon the ricotta mixture evenly over each chicken breast, spreading it to cover the entire surface.
05 - Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella evenly over the ricotta-covered chicken breasts.
06 - In a small bowl, toss the breadcrumbs with olive oil and dried Italian herbs. Sprinkle the mixture evenly over the mozzarella layer.
07 - Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and the topping is golden brown.
08 - Let the dish rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow the juices to redistribute.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- The ricotta layer keeps the chicken incredibly moist even if you accidentally overcook it by a few minutes.
- It looks like you spent far more time on it than you actually did.
- Everything gets assembled in one dish which means cleanup is almost nonexistent.
02 -
- Do not skip patting the chicken dry because excess moisture makes the ricotta layer slide right off during baking.
- If your ricotta seems wet drain it in a fine mesh strainer for ten minutes before mixing.
03 -
- Pound the chicken to even thickness before baking so the thinnest part does not dry out while the thickest cooks through.
- Broil for the last two minutes if you want an extra crispy top but watch it every second because breadcrumbs go from golden to burnt in a heartbeat.