Description
Tender Spinach Ricotta Chicken baked with creamy ricotta, fresh spinach, garlic, marinara, and Parmesan. This easy Italian-inspired chicken dinner is cheesy, comforting, and perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
- 1½ lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts (3–4 breasts), pounded to about 1-inch thickness
- ½ teaspoon cracked black pepper
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- 3 garlic cloves, minced and divided
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 cup fresh spinach, chopped
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese, shredded
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper
- 1½ cups marinara sauce
- ¼–⅓ cup additional shredded Parmesan, for topping
- Cooking spray or oil, for the baking dish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425°F. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or oil.
- In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta, ½ cup Parmesan, chopped spinach, 1 minced garlic clove, Italian seasoning, and crushed red pepper. Stir until well combined.
- Arrange the chicken breasts in a single layer in the prepared baking dish. Season evenly with salt, black pepper, and the remaining 2 minced garlic cloves.
- Divide the spinach-ricotta mixture evenly over the chicken breasts and spread it across the tops.
- Pour the marinara sauce over the chicken, covering each piece.
- Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until the thickest part of the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. Thicker chicken breasts may require additional cooking time.
- During the final few minutes, sprinkle the additional Parmesan over the chicken. Return to the oven until the cheese is melted.
- Remove from the oven and let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
For the most even cooking, pound the chicken breasts to approximately 1 inch thick before baking. Cooking time can vary depending on their thickness, so use an instant-read thermometer and cook chicken to 165°F internally.
Whole-milk ricotta gives the topping an especially creamy texture. If using frozen spinach instead of fresh, thaw it completely and squeeze out as much excess moisture as possible.
Serve with spaghetti, garlic bread, roasted vegetables, or a simple green salad. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about ¼ recipe)
- Calories: 480 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 950 mg
- Fat: 23 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 55 g 1
- Cholesterol: 175 mg