Hey y'all! Get ready to elevate your dinner game with this irresistible Cottage Cheese Chicken Parm Bowl. It's packed with juicy chicken, creamy cottage cheese, tangy marinara, and a sprinkle of parmesan—making it a wholesome and delicious twist on a classic you can enjoy any night. Whether you're meal prepping, feeding the family, or just craving comfort food with a healthy spin, this recipe is about to become your new go-to. Let's get cooking!
Why You'll Love This
- High in protein and lower in carbs for a satisfying, lighter meal.
- Ready in just 30 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights.
- Creamy cottage cheese adds a rich and unique twist to classic chicken parm.
- Customizable with your favorite pasta, grains, or veggies.
- Meal-prep friendly and great for leftovers the next day.
Ingredients
- 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 lb), cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 1 cup low-fat cottage cheese
- ½ cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- 2 cups cooked brown rice or whole wheat pasta (for serving)
- Fresh basil, chopped, for garnish
Directions
Prep the Chicken
- Pat the chicken dry and cut into bite-sized pieces.
- Toss the chicken with olive oil, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until evenly coated.
Cook the Chicken
- Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add the seasoned chicken and sauté for 6-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through.
- Remove skillet from heat.
Assemble the Parm Bowl
- Preheat your broiler on high.
- In four oven-safe bowls or one large baking dish, layer the cooked chicken on top of the cooked rice or pasta.
- Spoon marinara sauce evenly over the chicken.
- Dollop cottage cheese over sauce, followed by mozzarella and parmesan cheese.
Broil and Serve
- Place bowls or baking dish under the broiler for 3-4 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Carefully remove from oven and garnish with chopped fresh basil before serving.
Notes
- Patting the chicken dry ensures a better sear and flavor.
- If you want extra crunch, sprinkle some whole wheat breadcrumbs on top before broiling.
- Use pre-cooked rotisserie chicken to save time on busy nights.
Variations
- Low Carb: Swap brown rice or pasta for cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles.
- Spicy: Add crushed red pepper flakes to the marinara sauce for a kick.
- Vegetarian: Substitute chicken with breaded eggplant or crispy tofu.
Required Equipment
- Large nonstick skillet
- Oven-safe bowls or a baking dish
- Cooking spoon or spatula
- Cutting board and chef's knife
Storage Instructions
- Let leftovers cool, then transfer to airtight containers.
- Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheat in the microwave or oven until thoroughly warmed.
Serving Suggestions
- Pair with a crisp green salad and garlic bread.
- Serve alongside steamed veggies like broccoli or green beans.
- Top with extra fresh basil and a drizzle of olive oil for added flavor.
Pro Tips
- For perfectly juicy chicken, don't overcrowd the skillet while cooking.
- Drain cottage cheese slightly with a paper towel for a thicker, creamier texture.
- Grate your own parmesan for maximum flavor and melt.
FAQ
- Can I make this dish ahead of time?
- Yes! Assemble everything ahead, refrigerate, then broil just before serving for the best texture.
- Is cottage cheese a good substitute for ricotta?
- Absolutely—cottage cheese offers a lighter, higher-protein alternative with a similar creamy texture.
- How can I make this dairy-free?
- Use dairy-free cheese alternatives and your favorite plant-based protein in place of chicken.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 4
Ingredients
- 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 lb), cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 1 cup low-fat cottage cheese
- ½ cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- 2 cups cooked brown rice or whole wheat pasta (for serving)
- Fresh basil, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
-
1Pat the chicken dry and cut into bite-sized pieces.
-
2Toss the chicken with olive oil, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until evenly coated.
-
3Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat.
-
4Add the seasoned chicken and sauté for 6-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through.
-
5Remove skillet from heat.
-
6Preheat your broiler on high.
-
7In four oven-safe bowls or one large baking dish, layer the cooked chicken on top of the cooked rice or pasta.
-
8Spoon marinara sauce evenly over the chicken.
-
9Dollop cottage cheese over sauce, followed by mozzarella and parmesan cheese.
-
10Place bowls or baking dish under the broiler for 3-4 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
-
11Carefully remove from oven and garnish with chopped fresh basil before serving.
Approximate Information for One Serving
Nutrition Disclaimers
Number of total servings shown is approximate. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.
Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving using the ingredients listed, not including any optional ingredients. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.
To determine the weight of one serving, prepare the recipe as instructed. Weigh the finished recipe, then divide the weight of the finished recipe (not including the weight of the container the food is in) by the desired number of servings. Result will be the weight of one serving.
Did you make this recipe?
Please consider Pinning it!
Leave a Reply