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.
Ingredients
Scale
- 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)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment or foil.
- Combine panko, parmesan, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper in a shallow bowl.
- In another bowl, mix cottage cheese, egg, and a tablespoon of olive oil until smoothish.
- Pat the chicken dry, dip each piece in the cottage cheese mixture, then press into the breadcrumb mix until coated.
- Heat a skillet over medium heat with the remaining olive oil. Sear chicken 2 to 3 minutes per side until golden.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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