A few weeks ago when I was making out my rough draft of WEEKLY MEALS…I had PLANNED on making lasagna for dinner tonight…but since we were trying to cut out as much carbs as we can… I decided to try it this way…I DO make another dish that is similar to this dish..but I stuffed spinach and mozzarella cheese inside the chicken instead. I was so HAPPY that my kids ate this DISH UP!! They loved it!! WIN WIN for me TONIGHT!!!
INGREDIENTS
4 pieces of chicken breast
2 cups tomato basil marinara sauce
1 egg
1 cup ricotta cheese
2 tablespoon chopped parsley
1/2 cup parmesan cheese
2 cup mozzarella cheese
SEASON MIXTURE
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
DIRECTIONS
Preheat OVEN to 375 degree. GREASE an OVEN safe baking pan with some oil…and pour in 1 cup of marinara sauce to the bottom of the baking pan. Set aside.
In a small bowl…mix the garlic powder, salt, and pepper together…and set aside.
In another medium size bowl…mix the ricotta cheese, 1 egg, 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, and 1 tablespoon of chopped parsley together. Mix really well then set aside.
Lay each piece of chicken breast on a cutting board and cut a deep pocket or slit into the side of the chicken breast. Season each piece of chicken breast with the salt mixture. Next, stuff each chicken breast with the ricotta mixture then gently fold the chicken breast over and lay it on the prepared baking dish. Repeat for the remainder 3 pieces.
Once all the chicken breast have been stuffed…spoon the remainder of the marinara sauce over the chicken breast and sprinkle the 2 cups of mozzarella cheese and chopped parsley over the chicken breast. Cover the baking pan with foil and bake for about 30 minutes…then UNCOVERED and bake for another 10-15 minutes. Depending on HOW THICK the chicken breast is. ENJOY!!! It goes great with a big Caesar salad!!!
Make a split on the side of the chicken breast
Spoon in about 1 tablespoon of the ricotta mixture
Lay each piece of stuffed chicken breast in the prepared baking pan
Spoon some marinara sauce on top of each piece of chicken breast then sprinkle some mozzarella cheese on top and sprinkle with chopped parsley
Bake at 375degree for 30-40 minutes…depending on how thick your chicken breast is
Serve while its hot…because the melted cheese is so yummy
