Description
Spinach Ricotta Chicken is a creamy, cheesy, and protein-packed baked dish that’s perfect for weeknights. Juicy chicken breasts are topped with a flavorful ricotta and spinach mixture, covered in marinara sauce, and finished with melted parmesan for a dinner the whole family will love.
Ingredients
1 ½ lb chicken breast
½ tsp cracked pepper
½ tsp sea salt
3 garlic cloves, minced (separated)
1 cup ricotta cheese
1 cup fresh chopped spinach
½ cup parmesan cheese, shredded
1 tsp Italian seasoning
¼ tsp crushed red pepper
1 ½ cups marinara sauce
Extra parmesan for topping (about ¼ – ⅓ cup)
Instructions
Preheat oven to 425°F.
In a bowl, mix ricotta, chopped spinach, ½ cup parmesan, 1 minced garlic clove, Italian seasoning, and crushed red pepper until combined.
Spray a 9×13 baking dish with oil. Lay chicken breasts in the dish and season with salt, pepper, and remaining 2 garlic cloves.
Spread the ricotta-spinach mixture evenly over each chicken breast.
Pour marinara sauce over the chicken until fully coated.
Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until chicken reaches 165°F internally (longer if using thick breasts).
In the last few minutes of baking, top with extra parmesan and bake until melted.
Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
For thick chicken breasts, pound them to an even thickness for quicker cooking.
Frozen spinach can be used—just thaw and squeeze out excess moisture.
Tastes even better the next day, so make extra for leftovers!
Serve over pasta, rice, or roasted veggies for a full meal.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 25 mins
- Category: Main course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 385 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 780 mg
- Fat: 21 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 7 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 41 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg