Description
This Chicken & Spinach Ricotta Bake combines tender chicken breasts with creamy ricotta, fresh spinach, and savory marinara for a hearty and family-friendly meal. It is easy to prepare, customizable, and perfect for weeknight dinners or meal prep.
Ingredients
1 ½ lb chicken breast (3-4) pounded to even thickness, approx. 1 inch
½ tsp cracked pepper
½ tsp sea salt
3 garlic cloves, minced (separated)
1 cup ricotta cheese (use Galbani or Whole Foods 365 brand)
1 cup fresh chopped spinach
½ cup Parmesan cheese, shredded (use Tillamook or Cabot)
1 tsp Italian seasoning
¼ tsp crushed red pepper
1 ½ cups marinara sauce
Extra Parmesan for topping about ¼ – ⅓ cup (Tillamook or Cabot)
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 425°F.
2. In a bowl, mix together the ricotta, Parmesan, spinach, one garlic clove, Italian seasoning, and crushed red pepper until fully combined.
3. Spray the bottom of a 9×13 inch pan or large baking dish with oil. Lay the chicken breasts in the pan and season evenly with salt, pepper, and 2 of the garlic cloves.
4. Spread the ricotta and spinach mixture over the top of the chicken breasts evenly.
5. Cover the chicken completely with the marinara sauce.
6. Bake for about 20-25 minutes or until the thickest section of the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. Adjust time for thicker chicken as needed.
7. In the last several minutes, add shredded Parmesan on top of the chicken and continue baking to melt.
8. Allow chicken to rest about 5 minutes before serving. Store leftovers in a sealed container in the refrigerator.
Notes
If chicken breasts vary in thickness, pound thicker pieces slightly for even cooking.
Whole milk ricotta works best, but any type can be used.
If you don’t have spinach, the dish is still delicious without it.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American