Spinach Ricotta Chicken Bake Recipe
This Spinach Ricotta Chicken is a delicious and creamy baked chicken breast dish, filled with a rich mixture of ricotta, parmesan, fresh spinach, and Italian seasonings. Covered with marinara sauce and topped with melted parmesan, it's a perfect family-friendly meal ready in just 30 minutes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
- Total Time: 30-35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients
Chicken & Seasonings
- 1 ½ lb chicken breast (3-4 pieces), pounded to even thickness (approx. 1 inch)
- ½ tsp cracked pepper
- ½ tsp sea salt
- 3 garlic cloves, minced (separated)
Filling
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 cup fresh chopped spinach
- ½ cup parmesan cheese, shredded
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes
Topping & Sauce
- 1 ½ cups marinara sauce
- Extra parmesan cheese for topping (about ¼ to ⅓ cup)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F (218°C) to ensure it reaches the right temperature for baking the chicken evenly and thoroughly.
- Prepare Filling Mixture: In a bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, shredded parmesan, chopped fresh spinach, one minced garlic clove, Italian seasoning, and crushed red pepper flakes. Mix well until all ingredients are fully incorporated to create a flavorful filling.
- Season Chicken: Lightly oil a 9x13 inch baking dish. Arrange the pounded chicken breasts evenly in the dish. Season the tops with sea salt, cracked black pepper, and the remaining two minced garlic cloves for added aroma and taste.
- Add Filling & Sauce: Evenly spread the ricotta and spinach mixture over the top of each chicken breast. Then, completely cover the chicken breasts with the marinara sauce to keep them moist and add a tangy tomato flavor.
- Bake Chicken: Place the baking dish in the oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the thickest part of the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). For thicker chicken breasts, extend baking time as needed. In the final few minutes of baking, sprinkle extra shredded parmesan on top and return to the oven to melt and brown slightly.
- Rest & Serve: Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for about 5 minutes to help juices redistribute. This step ensures moist, tender chicken. Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
- Pounding the chicken breasts to an even thickness ensures they cook evenly and stay juicy.
- You can substitute fresh spinach with frozen spinach; if using frozen, thaw and drain excess water before mixing.
- If your chicken breasts are large or very thick, adjust baking time accordingly to ensure they are cooked through.
- Leftover chicken keeps well in the refrigerator and flavors develop even more after sitting overnight.
- For a spicier kick, increase the crushed red pepper amount or add red pepper flakes on top before baking.
Find it online: https://recipefeastful.com/spinach-ricotta-chicken-bake-recipe/
