Baked Ricotta Chicken
Baked Ricotta Chicken is a tasty and comforting meal that has tender chicken breast stuffed with creamy ricotta cheese and tasty herbs. In this article, we’ll talk about how to make this delicious dish that is great for a family dinner or a special event.
Baked Ricotta Chicken is an easy but fancy dish that will please your taste buds. Juicy chicken breast and creamy ricotta cheese, flavored with garlic, herbs, and lemon zest, make every bite taste great. This meal is simple to make and great for a cozy night in or a holiday dinner party.
Ingredients You Will Need
- Breast of Chicken
- Cheese Ricotta
- Garlic and Parmesan Cheese
- Fresh herbs like parsley, basil, or thyme
- Lemon Zest
- Salt
- Pepper
- Olive Oil
Preparation Instructions
First, set your oven to the right temperature. You can use a meat mallet to pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness if they are thick. This will make stuffing them easier. Mix the ricotta cheese, grated Parmesan cheese, minced garlic, chopped fresh herbs, lemon zest, salt, and pepper in a bowl to make the ricotta mixture.
Cut a pocket in the side of each chicken breast with a sharp knife so that the ricotta filling can fit inside. Don’t cut all the way through. Fill each chicken breast with a big spoonful of the ricotta mixture, and then use toothpicks to hold the opening shut.
Put the stuffed chicken breasts in a baking dish with the seam side down and drizzle olive oil over them. If you want, you can add more salt and pepper to the tops of the chicken breasts. Put in the oven that has already been heated and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the chicken is done and the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
Take the Baked Ricotta Chicken out of the oven and let it sit for a few minutes before serving. Add more fresh herbs and lemon zest to the chicken to give it a fresh taste and smell. Roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, or a crisp green salad are some of the best side dishes to serve with chicken.
Tips for Perfect Baked Ricotta Chicken
- For easier stuffing and faster cooking, use chicken breasts that are cut into thin slices.
- To keep your chicken breasts from drying out, change the cooking time based on how thick they are.
- A meat thermometer can tell you if the chicken is fully cooked by checking the temperature inside. It should reach 165°F (75°C).
Recipe Variations
You can change this recipe to fit your tastes. You can add chopped spinach or sun-dried tomatoes to the ricotta mixture to make it taste better and healthier. For a different taste, you can also try using other kinds of cheese, like mozzarella or goat cheese, instead of Parmesan. If you want this recipe to be gluten-free, use gluten-free breadcrumbs or leave them out completely.
Health Benefits of Baked Ricotta Chicken
Not only is Baked Ricotta Chicken tasty, it’s also good for you. Chicken breast is a good source of protein that is low in fat. Ricotta cheese adds protein and calcium. Garlic and fresh herbs are good sources of vitamins and antioxidants, and lemon zest adds a burst of citrus flavor and vitamin C.
How to Make Baked Ricotta Chicken
- Two big chicken breasts cut in half lengthwise
- Salt
- Pepper
- 1 cup of ricotta cheese, whole milk is better
- 1 cup of freshly grated parmesan cheese
- 3 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon of Italian spices
- Two cups of marinara sauce
- 2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese
- Fresh basil (for serving) is optional.
- Set your oven to 375F and move the rack to the top third of the oven.
- Cut the chicken in half lengthwise to make four thinner cutlets. Then add salt and pepper to the chicken.
- Put the ricotta, parmesan, garlic, and Italian seasoning in a medium bowl and mix them together.
- Put half of the marinara sauce in a 9×13 casserole dish and spread it out evenly.
- Put the chicken in the casserole dish next to each other and spread the ricotta mixture on top of each piece.
- Put the rest of the marinara sauce on each piece of chicken.
- Cover the casserole dish tightly with foil and bake it for 20 minutes.
- 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 165°F. This is when the mozzarella should be on top.
- If you want, broil it for a few minutes to brown the cheese, but be careful not to let it burn.
- Before serving, let the chicken sit for a few minutes. Add more salt and pepper if you need to, and if you’re using fresh basil, put it on top.
In the end, Baked Ricotta Chicken is a tasty and filling dish that works for any event. This dish is sure to become a new favorite because it has tender chicken breast stuffed with creamy ricotta cheese and fragrant herbs. Baked Ricotta Chicken is sure to wow everyone, whether you serve it to your family or friends at a dinner party.
Source: saltandlavender.com