Italian Chicken Bake 🇮🇹
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 4
Description:
Indulge in the flavors of Italy with this succulent Italian Chicken Bake recipe. It’s a delightful combination of tender chicken breasts, vibrant spinach, creamy ricotta cheese, and gooey mozzarella, all baked to perfection. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced cook, this dish promises an easy and satisfying meal for any occasion.
Ingredients:
| Quantity | Ingredient |
|---|---|
| 4 | Boneless, skinless chicken breast halves |
| 2 tbsp | Olive oil |
| 1 tsp | Garlic powder |
| 2 cups | Fresh spinach |
| 1/2 cup | Low-fat ricotta cheese |
| 1 cup | Shredded mozzarella cheese |
| 1 can | Pasta sauce |
| – | Salt and pepper, to taste |
Instructions:
-
Preheat Oven:
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). -
Prepare Chicken:
Sprinkle the chicken breasts with garlic powder, salt, and pepper. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Brown the chicken breasts for about 3 minutes per side until golden brown. Set aside. -
Prepare Spinach:
While the chicken is browning, rinse the fresh spinach and tear it into smaller pieces. Place the spinach in a microwave-safe bowl, add a tablespoon of water, and microwave on High for 3 minutes. Drain any excess liquid. -
Prepare Ricotta Mixture:
In a mixing bowl, combine the cooked spinach, low-fat ricotta cheese, and any additional seasonings of your choice. Mix well to incorporate the flavors. -
Assemble Bake:
Spread a thin layer of pasta sauce on the bottom of a 2-quart baking dish. Place the browned chicken breasts on top of the sauce. Spoon one-fourth of the ricotta mixture over each chicken breast, followed by a tablespoon of pasta sauce on top of each. Finally, layer the shredded mozzarella cheese over the sauce. -
Bake:
Transfer the baking dish to the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the cheese is bubbly and golden brown. -
Serve:
While the chicken is baking, prepare pasta according to package directions. Serve the baked Italian chicken alongside the pasta, drizzled with additional heated pasta sauce if desired.
Nutrition Facts (Per Serving):
- Calories: 397.6
- Fat: 15.2g
- Saturated Fat: 5.2g
- Cholesterol: 91.3mg
- Sodium: 1280.1mg
- Carbohydrates: 25.4g
- Fiber: 1.2g
- Sugar: 19.2g
- Protein: 38.3g
Keywords:
Poultry, Meat, European, < 60 Mins, Beginner Cook, Easy
Indulge in the flavors of Italy with this succulent Italian Chicken Bake recipe. It’s a delightful combination of tender chicken breasts, vibrant spinach, creamy ricotta cheese, and gooey mozzarella, all baked to perfection. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced cook, this dish promises an easy and satisfying meal for any occasion.
Sprinkle the chicken breasts with garlic powder, salt, and pepper. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Brown the chicken breasts for about 3 minutes per side until golden brown. Set aside.
While the chicken is browning, rinse the fresh spinach and tear it into smaller pieces. Place the spinach in a microwave-safe bowl, add a tablespoon of water, and microwave on High for 3 minutes. Drain any excess liquid.
In a mixing bowl, combine the cooked spinach, low-fat ricotta cheese, and any additional seasonings of your choice. Mix well to incorporate the flavors.
Spread a thin layer of pasta sauce on the bottom of a 2-quart baking dish. Place the browned chicken breasts on top of the sauce. Spoon one-fourth of the ricotta mixture over each chicken breast, followed by a tablespoon of pasta sauce on top of each. Finally, layer the shredded mozzarella cheese over the sauce.
Transfer the baking dish to the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
While the chicken is baking, prepare pasta according to package directions. Serve the baked Italian chicken alongside the pasta, drizzled with additional heated pasta sauce if desired. Enjoy the delightful flavors of Italy with every bite of this comforting and satisfying dish!
