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–+ servings
A cast iron pan with ricotta chicken and marinara sauce.
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5 from 4 votes

Baked Ricotta Chicken

This ricotta chicken is an easy one-pan meal that only requires 5 main ingredients. It's a delicious dinner ready in under 30 minutes!
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Total Time25 minutes
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Italian
Diet: Diabetic, Gluten Free, Low Calorie, Low Fat
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 395kcal
Author: Alicia

Equipment

  • 1 oven-safe/cast iron pan

Ingredients

  • 1¾ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or 4 breasts)
  • Extra virgin olive oil or avocado oil
  • Kosher salt and black pepper
  • 1 cup ricotta cheese*
  • 3-4 garlic cloves, minced (use 3 for large cloves)
  • 1½ teaspoons Italian seasoning
  • 24 oz marinara sauce*
  • Optional: parsley for garnish
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Pat the chicken breasts dry with a paper towel and season both sides with salt and black pepper. Meanwhile, heat cast iron or oven-safe skillet over medium high heat, then add 2-3 teaspoons of oil. Sear the chicken for about 2-3 minutes per side, or until just golden brown.
  • While the chicken is searing, mix together the ricotta, garlic, and Italian seasoning. Once the chicken is seared, remove it and set the pan on a heat-safe area. Spoon the marinara around the bottom of the pan, then top the chicken with about ¼ cup of the ricotta cheese mixture.
  • Bake at 375F for 15-20 minutes or until the ricotta has browned slightly on top and is bubbling, and the chicken registers at least 165 degrees F on a meat thermometer.
  • Serve warm, with the sauce scooped on top or underneath the chicken.

Notes

  • Using a good quality ricotta transforms this dish! My recommendations are Calabro, BelGiosio, Liuzzi, or any brand without added gums (which makes it grainy). 
  • For marinara sauce, I recommend Rao's or Carbone's. Use a "sensitive" sauce if onions are an issue. Recommendations in the post. 
  • I love a strong garlic flavor, so I always use 4 cloves, but I'd use 3 or less if they are very large or you're using a garlic marinara. 

Nutrition

Calories: 395kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 51g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.03g | Cholesterol: 159mg | Sodium: 1089mg | Potassium: 1314mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 1085IU | Vitamin C: 14mg | Calcium: 174mg | Iron: 3mg