Description
Tender chicken cutlets baked with herbed ricotta, marinara, and melty mozzarella—an easy and comforting Italian-inspired dinner.
Ingredients
2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cut into 4 cutlets)
Salt & pepper, to taste
1 cup whole-milk ricotta cheese
½–1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp Italian seasoning (or basil/oregano mix)
2 cups marinara sauce
1–2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Fresh basil (optional garnish)
Instructions
Preheat oven to 375 °F (190 °C). Grease a 9×13″ baking dish.
Season chicken with salt and pepper.
In a bowl, mix ricotta, Parmesan, garlic, and Italian seasoning.
Spread half the marinara in the baking dish. Arrange chicken on top.
Spoon ricotta mixture evenly over each cutlet. Pour remaining sauce over the top.
Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes.
Remove foil, sprinkle with mozzarella, and bake uncovered another 15 minutes (or until chicken reaches 165 °F).
Optional: broil 1–2 minutes to brown cheese.
Rest 5 minutes before garnishing with basil and serving.
Notes
Add spinach to the ricotta for a nutritional boost.
Use arrabiata sauce for a spicy variation.
Substitute chicken thighs for a juicier texture.
- Prep Time: ~10 minutes
- Cook Time: ~35 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-Inspired, Comfort Food
