Cottage Cheese Chicken Parm Bowl

Short, Catchy Intro

So you are craving something tasty but too lazy to spend forever in the kitchen huh Same. This Cottage Cheese Chicken Parm Bowl is the perfect middle ground between effort and glory. It gives you that classic chicken parm vibe without a breadcrumb avalanche and with a sneaky protein boost from cottage cheese.

If you have ever loved baked cottage cheese eggs then you will get why cottage cheese is a secret cooking weapon baked cottage cheese eggs

Why This Recipe is Awesome

Okay real talk why should you make this Right now

• It hits that comfort food button but keeps things kind of healthy. Yes you can have both.
• It is idiot proof even I did not mess it up the first time.
• It builds fast which means you get dinner without the inner dialogue that lasts longer than the recipe.
• The cottage cheese keeps the chicken juicy and adds extra protein without taste drama.

If you want a spicy twist later try the sauce idea from my favorite bang bang chicken recipe for extra kick bang bang chicken bowl

Ingredients Youll Need

• 2 medium chicken breasts about 1 pound trimmed and pounded to even thickness
• 1 cup low fat or full fat cottage cheese your call for creaminess
• 1 large egg beaten
• 3 4 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese plus extra for topping
• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs or crushed plain crackers for crunch
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• 1 cup marinara sauce store bought or homemade warm it up first
• 2 tablespoons olive oil for cooking or a nonstick spray if you are lazy
• Cooked brown rice pasta or zucchini noodles for bowls about 3 cups cooked
• Fresh basil or parsley for garnish optional but do it please
• Lemon wedge optional for brightness

Tip always season the chicken well before cooking so the flavor actually shows up

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 400F and line a baking sheet with parchment or foil. Heat makes the crust crisp and the oven handles the finishing touches.

2. Combine the panko parmesan garlic powder Italian seasoning salt and pepper in a shallow bowl. Keep it near your assembly station.

3. In another bowl mix together the cottage cheese egg and a tablespoon of olive oil until smoothish. You can leave a few curds if you like texture.

4. Pat the chicken dry then dip each piece in the cottage cheese mixture pressing lightly so it sticks. Next press the chicken into the breadcrumb mix until coated on both sides.

5. Heat a skillet over medium heat with the remaining olive oil. Sear the chicken 2 to 3 minutes per side until golden. We just want that color not full cooking.

6. Transfer the seared chicken to the baking sheet and bake 12 to 15 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165F and the crumbs are crisp.

7. Remove the chicken and spoon warmed marinara evenly over each piece then sprinkle an extra tablespoon of parmesan on top. Pop back in the oven for 3 minutes until the cheese melts and the sauce bubbles just a bit.

8. Assemble bowls with your base of choice rice pasta or zoodles add a drizzle of olive oil or a splash of lemon then place the chicken on top. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley and more parmesan if you are feeling fancy.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Skipping the sear and going straight to the oven. That sear gives texture and flavor so do not skip it.
• Using watery cottage cheese and not draining it a bit. Pat with a paper towel if it seems sloppy.
• Overcrowding the pan when searing. One crowded pan makes soggy crumbs and no one wants that.
• Forgetting to season the chicken directly. Salt on the chicken makes a huge difference.
• Relying only on sauce for flavor. The crumb mix and parmesan do a lot of heavy lifting so keep them seasoned.

Alternatives & Substitutions

• No panko Go for crushed cornflakes or gluten free crumbs they both get crunchy.
• No cottage cheese Try ricotta in a pinch but expect a softer coating. I like cottage cheese for the protein kick though.
• Want less carbs Use spiralized zucchini or cauliflower rice and still get a satisfying bowl.
• Vegetarian option Swap chicken for thick slices of roasted eggplant coated the same way for a meat free parm vibe.
• Dairy free Skip the parmesan and use nutritional yeast or a dairy free grated cheese you dig. IMO it will taste different but still good.

If you want a saucy alternative flavors check out this bang bang style bowl recipe for inspiration bang bang chicken bowl recipe

FAQ Frequently Asked Questions

Q What if I only have cottage cheese with big curds Do I need to blend it
A Nope you do not have to blend it. The curds add texture and you can leave them. If you prefer a smooth coating pulse for a few seconds in a blender

Q Can I air fry the chicken instead of baking Absolutely air fry at 380F for about 10 to 12 minutes flipping once depending on thickness

Q How do I store leftovers Keep chicken in an airtight container in the fridge up to 3 days reheat in the oven or air fryer to keep crispiness

Q Is this high protein Yes the cottage cheese plus chicken makes this a protein forward meal great post workout

Q Can I make this ahead for meal prep Yes make the chicken then store components separately to keep crumbs from getting soggy when the sauce meets them

Q Any tips for making the coating stick better Press the cottage cheese mix into the chicken and then press the crumbs firmly for better adhesion

Q What should I serve with it Light salad roasted veggies or simple garlic green beans all work nicely

Final Thoughts

Alright chef you now have a crunchy juicy comfort bowl that still plays friendly with your protein goals. This recipe is forgiving so mess around a little and make it yours. Pro move double the sauce so you have leftovers because sauce makes everything better. Now go impress someone or just yourself with dinner you actually earned.

Conclusion

If you want the original version and nutritional details check out Cottage Cheese Chicken Parm Bowl (46 Grams of Protein!)

Cottage Cheese Chicken Parm Bowl

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• Author: admin
• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Diet: High Protein

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Description

A delicious and healthy twist on chicken parmesan that uses cottage cheese for added protein and creaminess, served over your choice of pasta or zucchini noodles.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 medium chicken breasts (about 1 pound), trimmed and pounded to even thickness
• 1 cup low fat or full fat cottage cheese
• 1 large egg, beaten
• 3–4 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese, plus extra for topping
• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs or crushed plain crackers
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• 1 cup marinara sauce (store bought or homemade, warmed)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil (for cooking or nonstick spray)
• Cooked brown rice pasta or zucchini noodles (about 3 cups cooked)
• Fresh basil or parsley, for garnish (optional)
• Lemon wedge (optional)

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Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment or foil.
2. Combine panko, parmesan, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper in a shallow bowl.
3. In another bowl, mix cottage cheese, egg, and a tablespoon of olive oil until smoothish.
4. Pat the chicken dry, dip each piece in the cottage cheese mixture, then press into the breadcrumb mix until coated.
5. Heat a skillet over medium heat with the remaining olive oil. Sear chicken 2 to 3 minutes per side until golden.
6. Transfer the seared chicken to the baking sheet and bake for 12 to 15 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165°F and crumbs are crisp.
7. Remove chicken, spoon warmed marinara evenly over each piece, and sprinkle an extra tablespoon of parmesan on top. Bake for another 3 minutes until the cheese melts.
8. Assemble bowls with your base of choice (rice, pasta, or zoodles), add olive oil or a splash of lemon, place chicken on top, and garnish.

Notes

For best results, season the chicken directly and do not skip the searing step for added flavor and texture.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 serving
• Calories: 400
• Sugar: 6g
• Sodium: 500mg
• Fat: 15g
• Saturated Fat: 5g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 33g
• Fiber: 3g
• Protein: 46g
• Cholesterol: 80mg

Keywords: cottage cheese, chicken parmesan, healthy dinner, protein meal, comfort food