Description
A lighter take on classic chicken Parmesan, this Easy Cottage Cheese Chicken Parm Bowl features seasoned chicken, creamy cottage cheese, marinara, and melted cheeses for a protein-rich and comforting meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 6–8 oz each)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder (for chicken)
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon salt (for chicken)
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper (for chicken)
- 2 cups full-fat cottage cheese
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder (for cottage cheese)
- ¼ teaspoon salt (for cottage cheese)
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper (for cottage cheese)
- 1 ½ cups marinara sauce
- 1 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil leaves, for garnish (optional)
- Red pepper flakes, for a little kick (optional)
- Panko breadcrumbs, for crunch (optional)
Instructions
- Pound the chicken breasts to about ½-inch thickness for even cooking.
- Season chicken with garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, salt, and pepper.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet and sear the chicken for 4–5 minutes per side until golden brown.
- Let the chicken rest for at least 5 minutes before slicing.
- Mix cottage cheese with garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and prepare individual oven-safe bowls.
- Spoon marinara into the bottom of each bowl.
- Layer cottage cheese on top of the marinara.
- Distribute sliced chicken over the cottage cheese.
- Add more marinara over the chicken.
- Top with mozzarella and Parmesan cheese, and optional Panko and red pepper flakes.
- Bake for 20–25 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbling.
- Let cool for 5–10 minutes before serving with fresh basil and extra Parmesan.
Notes
Use full-fat cottage cheese for the creamiest texture; searing the chicken ensures flavor and moisture. For a vegetarian option, substitute chicken with roasted eggplant or portobello caps.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 40g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
Keywords: chicken parm, cottage cheese, protein bowl, Italian comfort food, weeknight dinner