Description
A comforting twist on a classic dish, featuring seared chicken breasts layered with marinara, creamy cottage cheese, and melty mozzarella, finished under the oven for a delicious meal.
Ingredients
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 to 1.25 lb total)
- 1 cup cottage cheese (small-curd preferred)
- 1 cup marinara sauce (homemade or jarred)
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1–2 tablespoons olive oil, for searing
- Fresh basil leaves, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Pat chicken breasts dry and season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Pound to an even thickness if necessary.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sear chicken for 5–7 minutes on each side until golden brown.
- Transfer chicken to an oven-safe dish and top each breast with marinara sauce.
- Dollop cottage cheese over the sauce, then sprinkle mozzarella on top, finishing with grated Parmesan.
- Bake for 20–25 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Let rest for 5 minutes, garnish with fresh basil, and serve.
Notes
Pound chicken to an even thickness for consistent cooking. Blend cottage cheese for a smoother texture if preferred.