Creamy Baked Ricotta Chicken (Printable)
Tender chicken baked with a creamy ricotta-parmesan-herb topping for an easy yet elegant dinner.
# What You'll Need:
→ Poultry
01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
02 - Salt and black pepper, to taste
→ Ricotta Mixture
03 - 1 cup ricotta cheese, whole milk preferred
04 - 1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
05 - 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
06 - 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
07 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, plus extra for garnish
08 - 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil (or 1 teaspoon dried)
09 - 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
10 - Zest of 1 lemon
11 - 1/2 teaspoon chili flakes (optional)
→ Finishing
12 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
# How To Make:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a baking dish large enough to fit the chicken breasts in a single layer.
02 - Pat chicken breasts dry and season both sides well with salt and pepper. Arrange in the prepared baking dish and drizzle with 1 tablespoon olive oil.
03 - In a bowl, combine ricotta, Parmesan, mozzarella, garlic, parsley, basil, onion powder, lemon zest, and chili flakes. Season with salt and pepper. Mix until well combined.
04 - Spread the ricotta mixture generously over each chicken breast, covering the tops evenly.
05 - Drizzle the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil over the ricotta topping.
06 - Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes, until chicken is cooked through (internal temperature 165°F) and topping is golden and bubbling.
07 - Let rest 5 minutes, garnish with extra parsley, and serve hot.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The ricotta topping stays incredibly moist while creating this gorgeous golden crust that makes everyone think you worked way harder than you did
- Its one of those rare dishes that tastes fancy enough for dinner guests but is effortless enough for a random Tuesday when you just want something comforting
02 -
- Dont skip resting the chicken because those few minutes let the juices redistribute and keep everything tender instead of running all over your plate
- The topping should be golden and bubbling in spots, but if it starts browning too quickly, loosely tent with foil for the last few minutes
03 -
- Bring your ricotta to room temperature before mixing so it blends smoothly into the other ingredients without any lumps
- If your chicken breasts are uneven thickness, pound them slightly so they cook at the same rate and nobody ends up with dry portions