Growing up, my mom always made chicken the same way – baked with a sprinkle of salt and pepper. It wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t exactly exciting either. That was just how chicken was done in our house, and I never questioned it.
That all changed when I discovered ricotta chicken at a friend’s dinner party. The creamy cheese and herbs completely changed what I thought chicken could be. Now it’s my go-to when I want something that feels special but doesn’t require fancy cooking skills. Even my kids, who usually turn their noses up at anything new, ask for seconds.
Why You’ll Love This Ricotta Chicken
- Quick weeknight dinner – Ready in just 30-45 minutes, this dish is perfect for those busy evenings when you want something delicious but don’t have hours to spend in the kitchen.
- Simple ingredients – You only need a handful of basic ingredients that are easy to find at any grocery store – chicken, ricotta, marinara, and some seasonings.
- Low-carb friendly – Without any breading or pasta, this protein-rich dish fits perfectly into a low-carb eating plan while still delivering all the Italian flavors you love.
- One-pan meal – Everything cooks in a single pan, which means less cleanup and more time to enjoy your evening.
What Kind of Ricotta Cheese Should I Use?
For this chicken dish, whole milk ricotta is your best bet since it offers a creamier texture and richer flavor than its lower-fat counterparts. Fresh ricotta from your local deli or cheese shop will give you the best results, but good-quality store-bought brands like Galbani or BelGioioso work great too. When shopping, look for ricotta that feels smooth and creamy (not grainy), and give it a quick drain in a fine-mesh strainer if you notice any excess liquid on top. If you’re watching calories, part-skim ricotta can work as a substitute, though you might lose a bit of that luxurious mouthfeel that makes this dish special.
Options for Substitutions
Let me share some helpful swaps for this recipe if you need them:
- Chicken breasts: You can easily swap chicken breasts with boneless chicken thighs – they’ll actually stay a bit more juicy! Just note that thighs might need an extra 2-3 minutes of cooking time.
- Ricotta cheese: If you’re out of ricotta, you can use cottage cheese (just blend it smooth first) or a mixture of cream cheese and Greek yogurt (use equal parts of each). The texture will be slightly different but still tasty!
- Italian herb blend: No Italian seasoning? Mix equal parts dried basil, oregano, and thyme. You can also add a pinch of dried rosemary if you have it.
- Marinara sauce: Any tomato-based pasta sauce works here. You can use regular tomato sauce and add your own seasonings, or even crushed tomatoes with extra Italian herbs and garlic.
- Fresh garlic: If you don’t have fresh garlic, you can use garlic powder – about ½ teaspoon will do the job. Just add it directly to the ricotta mixture.
Watch Out for These Mistakes While Cooking
The biggest challenge when cooking chicken with ricotta is preventing the cheese mixture from becoming watery – to avoid this, make sure to drain any excess moisture from your ricotta by letting it sit in a fine-mesh strainer for about 30 minutes before using. Another common mistake is cooking the chicken at too high a temperature, which can cause the cheese to separate and become grainy; instead, maintain a medium heat and cook the chicken until it reaches 155°F internally before adding the ricotta topping. To get the most flavor from your garlic and herbs, avoid adding them too early in the cooking process – mix them with the ricotta just before topping the chicken, as this preserves their fresh taste and prevents them from burning. For the best results, let the finished dish rest for 5-7 minutes before serving, allowing the cheese to set slightly and the chicken’s juices to redistribute throughout the meat.
What to Serve With Ricotta Chicken?
This saucy ricotta chicken pairs perfectly with your favorite pasta – I like to use spaghetti or penne to soak up all that delicious marinara sauce. If you’re watching your carbs, try serving it over zucchini noodles or roasted spaghetti squash instead. A side of garlic bread or focaccia is great for mopping up any extra sauce on your plate. To add some greens to your meal, try a simple side salad with Italian dressing or some roasted broccoli tossed with olive oil and parmesan cheese.
Storage Instructions
Keep Fresh: This ricotta chicken is perfect for meal prep! Place it in an airtight container and keep it in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. The flavors actually get better as they meld together, making your leftovers extra tasty.
Freeze: You can freeze this dish for up to 3 months in a freezer-safe container. Just keep in mind that the texture of the ricotta might change slightly after freezing, but it’ll still taste good. I like to portion it out before freezing for easy single servings.
Reheat: To warm up your ricotta chicken, pop it in the microwave for 2-3 minutes, or heat it in the oven at 350°F for about 15-20 minutes until heated through. If it seems a bit dry, just add a splash of marinara sauce while reheating to keep it nice and saucy.
| Preparation Time | 10-15 minutes |
| Cooking Time | 20-30 minutes |
| Total Time | 30-45 minutes |
| Level of Difficulty | Medium |
Estimated Nutrition
Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):
- Calories: 1700-1900
- Protein: 130-150 g
- Fat: 90-100 g
- Carbohydrates: 40-50 g
Ingredients
- 1¾ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or about 4)
- Extra virgin olive oil or avocado oil
- Kosher salt and black pepper
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 3 to 4 cloves of garlic, minced (use 3 for bigger cloves)
- 1½ teaspoons italian herb blend
- 24 ounces marinara sauce
- Optional: parsley for decoration
Step 1: Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Chicken
Begin by preheating your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
Take the chicken breasts and pat them dry with a paper towel to ensure a good sear.
Season both sides of the chicken with salt and black pepper to taste.
Step 2: Sear the Chicken
Heat a cast iron or oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat.
Add 2-3 teaspoons of oil to the skillet.
Place the seasoned chicken breasts in the skillet and sear for about 2-3 minutes per side, or until they are just golden brown.
This will help lock in the juices and flavor of the chicken.
Step 3: Prepare the Ricotta Mixture
While the chicken is searing, mix together your ricotta cheese, garlic, and Italian seasoning in a small bowl.
This mixture will add a creamy and flavorful topping to the chicken once baked.
Step 4: Assemble the Dish
Once the chicken is seared, move the skillet to a heat-safe area.
Spoon marinara sauce around the bottom of the pan, creating a nice bed for the chicken.
Place the seared chicken breasts back into the skillet and top each with about 1/4 cup of the ricotta cheese mixture.
Step 5: Bake the Chicken
Place the skillet in the preheated oven and bake at 375°F for 15-20 minutes.
The dish is done when the ricotta on top has browned slightly and is bubbling, and the internal temperature of the chicken reaches at least 165 degrees F, checked with a meat thermometer.
Step 6: Serve the Dish
Carefully remove the skillet from the oven and let it sit for a couple of minutes.
Serve the chicken warm, with the marinara sauce scooped on top or underneath the chicken.
Enjoy the deliciously creamy and flavorful dish!