Looking for some nutritious comfort food?! ....THIS IS IT! This chicken bake is delicious, creamy, and packed with flavor. It is a well balanced meal on it own, full of protein from the chicken breast and ricotta, as well as nutrients from the spinach and tomatoes, or you can serve with high fiber or pea protein pasta, roasted vegetables, or your favorite salad...your choice- all great pairings! And even better, this is made in just a few steps, with a few ingredients, making it a weeknight favorite.
Ricotta & Spinach Stuffed Chicken Bake
1. Preheat the oven to 425, and prepare the filling for the chicken:
In a small bowl, combine the following ingredients:
2 cups low fat Ricotta ( or the Ricotta of your choice)
1 cup fresh chopped spinach
1 cup shredded parmesan cheese
1 clove minced garlic
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/4 teaspooon crushed red pepper
2. Prepare & Stuff Chicken Breasts
Butterfly 2 large chicken breast slicing them in half vertically, without cutting all the way through, to prepare for stuffing- the more similar in size the better for even cooking
Place the butterflied chicken breasts in an oven safe dish, sprayed with a bit of olive oil
With the chicken breasts laid open, season the chicken the breast with:
garlic salt
pepper
Add the spinach and ricotta mixture- about 3 tablespoons to the inside of each chicken breast, and close. Reserve the rest of the mixture.
Once stuffed, coat the outside of the chicken breast with a bit of olive oil, garlic salt, Italian seasoning, 2 cloves fresh minced garlic, and pepper to taste
3. Top the Stuffed Chicken Breast:
Top the stuffed chicken breasts with the remaining and ricotta and spinach mixture
Then pour your favorite marinara sauce on top
Sprinkle with 2 handfuls of shredded parmesan cheese
4. Bake and Serve:
Put the dish in the pre-heated oven and bake for about 3o minutes. Cooking times can vary based on the size of the chicken breast.
To check if it is fully cooked, use a meat thermometer to ensure the inside temp is at 165 degrees.
Once fully cooked, remove from oven and let sit for 5 minutes.
Top with freshly sliced basil or parsley (optional), and you are ready to serve!
Nutritional Notes:
Low Fat Ricotta Cheese- https://www.eatthismuch.com/food/nutrition/low-fat-ricotta-cheese,501847/
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