Description
This Spinach Ricotta Chicken recipe features juicy chicken breasts topped with a creamy mixture of ricotta, parmesan, fresh spinach, and Italian seasonings, all baked in a rich marinara sauce. It’s an easy, flavorful dinner ready in just 30 minutes, perfect for a hearty yet healthy meal that the whole family will enjoy.
Ingredients
Chicken and Seasonings
- 1 ½ lb chicken breast (3-4 breasts, pounded to even thickness, approx. 1 inch)
- ½ tsp cracked pepper
- ½ tsp sea salt
- 3 garlic cloves, minced (separated)
Ricotta Mixture
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 cup fresh chopped spinach
- ½ cup parmesan cheese, shredded
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ¼ tsp crushed red pepper
Additional
- 1 ½ cups marinara sauce
- Extra parmesan cheese for topping (about ¼ to ⅓ cup)
- Cooking oil spray for greasing pan
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 425°F (220°C) to prepare for baking.
- Prepare Ricotta Mixture: In a bowl, combine ricotta cheese, shredded parmesan, fresh chopped spinach, one minced garlic clove, Italian seasoning, and crushed red pepper. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly blended.
- Season Chicken: Lightly spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking oil. Place the pounded chicken breasts evenly in the dish. Sprinkle salt, cracked pepper, and the remaining two minced garlic cloves evenly over the chicken.
- Assemble Dish: Spread the ricotta and spinach mixture evenly over each chicken breast. Then pour the marinara sauce over the top, covering each breast thoroughly.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for about 20-25 minutes, or until the thickest part of the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). For thicker breasts, baking may take longer. During the last few minutes of baking, sprinkle extra shredded parmesan cheese over the chicken and continue baking until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Rest and Serve: Remove from oven and let the chicken rest for about 5 minutes before serving. This allows juices to redistribute for a moist and tender bite. Store any leftovers in a sealed container in the refrigerator; they taste even better the next day.
Notes
- Make sure chicken breasts are pounded to an even thickness to ensure even cooking.
- Use a meat thermometer to check that chicken is cooked through to 165°F for safety.
- Adjust crushed red pepper to your spice preference.
- Leftovers store well and flavors develop further after a day.
- If chicken breasts are very thick, increase baking time accordingly.
- Use fresh spinach for best texture and flavor; frozen can be used but should be thawed and drained well.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
