Discover the Cottage Cheese Chicken Parm Bowl, a healthier, easier, and just as satisfying take on the classic Italian-American favorite. This recipe offers a delicious way to enjoy all the comforting flavors of chicken parmesan without the fuss, making it perfect for busy weeknights and anyone looking for a protein-packed meal. Get ready to reinvent your dinner routine with this surprisingly simple and incredibly tasty dish.
Key Ingredients for Cottage Cheese Chicken Parm Bowl
For the Chicken:
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 1 cup whole milk cottage cheese
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup Italian-seasoned breadcrumbs (or panko for extra crisp)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or avocado oil for pan-frying
For the Sauce & Toppings:
- 2 cups marinara sauce (your favorite jarred or homemade)
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- Fresh basil leaves, for garnish
- Optional: Red pepper flakes, extra Parmesan cheese
How to Make Cottage Cheese Chicken Parm Bowl
This Cottage Cheese Chicken Parm Bowl is incredibly easy to prepare, delivering immense flavor and satisfaction in every bite. You’ll be amazed at how quickly you can whip up this restaurant-quality meal at home, boasting a tender, flavorful chicken coated in crispy breadcrumbs, all nestled in a rich marinara sauce. The creamy cottage cheese imparts a subtle tang and moisture to the chicken coating, while the fresh toppings add a burst of vibrant flavor. This entire dish comes together in approximately 35-40 minutes.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Prepare the Chicken: If using chicken breasts, you can either pound them to an even 1/2-inch thickness for quicker and more uniform cooking, or cut them into bite-sized pieces (about 1-inch cubes). If using chicken thighs, trim any excess fat and cut them into similar bite-sized pieces. Pat the chicken pieces thoroughly dry with paper towels. This crucial step helps the coating adhere better and ensures a crispier finish.
Set Up the Breading Station: In a shallow bowl, whisk together the whole milk cottage cheese and the large egg until relatively smooth. Don’t worry if there are a few small lumps of cottage cheese; they will melt during cooking. In a second shallow bowl, combine the grated Parmesan cheese, Italian-seasoned breadcrumbs (or panko), garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix these dry ingredients well to ensure even distribution of seasonings.
Coat the Chicken: Add the prepared chicken pieces to the cottage cheese and egg mixture. Toss gently to ensure each piece is evenly coated. Let them sit in the mixture for about 2-3 minutes to allow the coating to absorb some moisture.
Bread the Chicken: Using a slotted spoon or tongs, lift the coated chicken pieces from the cottage cheese mixture, allowing any excess to drip off. Then, transfer the chicken to the breadcrumb and Parmesan mixture. Press the breadcrumbs onto the chicken pieces to ensure a good coating on all sides. You may need to do this in batches.
Cook the Chicken: Heat the olive oil (or avocado oil) in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is shimmering, carefully add the breaded chicken pieces in a single layer, making sure not to overcrowd the pan. You may need to cook them in batches. Cook for about 3-4 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through. The internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165°F (74°C). Remove the cooked chicken from the skillet and place it on a plate lined with paper towels to drain any excess oil.
Assemble the Bowls: Divide the marinara sauce evenly among your serving bowls. Arrange the cooked chicken parmesan pieces on top of the marinara sauce.
Melt the Cheese: Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese over the chicken pieces in each bowl. You can place the bowls under a broiler for 1-2 minutes (watch carefully!) until the cheese is melted and bubbly, or cover the skillet with a lid for a few minutes to allow the residual heat to melt the cheese if you cooked the chicken in batches and want to rewarm everything.
Garnish and Serve: Garnish each Cottage Cheese Chicken Parm Bowl generously with fresh basil leaves. If desired, add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a touch of heat or an extra sprinkle of Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Why You’ll Love This Cottage Cheese Chicken Parm Bowl
You’ll absolutely adore this Cottage Cheese Chicken Parm Bowl for its incredible flavor profile and ease of preparation. The star here is the unique approach to coating the chicken, using cottage cheese for a surprisingly tender and flavorful crust that is a delightful departure from traditional egg washes, offering a creamy tang that complements the savory breadcrumbs. Making this dish at home is also a fantastic way to save money compared to ordering takeout or dining out, as it utilizes budget-friendly ingredients without compromising on taste or satisfaction. The vibrant marinara sauce and fresh basil topping elevate each bite, creating a comforting and satisfying meal that’s a healthier twist on a beloved classic, making it perfect for a comforting yet guilt-free dinner.
Forget the lengthy process of traditional chicken parmesan; this bowl streamlines everything into a quick and easy meal that’s just as delicious, if not more so. The creamy, slightly tangy cottage cheese coating provides an unexpected depth of flavor and moisture that regular breading often lacks. It’s a comforting hug in a bowl, perfect for weeknights when you crave something hearty but don’t have hours to spend in the kitchen. Ready to transform your dinner game? Give this Cottage Cheese Chicken Parm Bowl a try tonight!
Storing and Reheating Tips
To store any leftover Cottage Cheese Chicken Parm Bowl, allow the assembled bowls to cool completely before transferring them to airtight containers. Store these containers in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Ensure that the basil is added just before serving to maintain its freshness and vibrant color.
When it comes to reheating, you have a couple of great options to bring your Cottage Cheese Chicken Parm Bowl back to its delicious best. For single servings directly from the refrigerator, the microwave is the quickest method. Heat on medium power in 30-second intervals until warmed through, being careful not to overheat and dry out the chicken. For a crispier result, preheat your oven or toaster oven to 350°F (175°C). Transfer the leftovers to an oven-safe dish, cover loosely with foil (to prevent the cheese from burning too quickly), and bake for 10-15 minutes, or until the chicken is heated through and the cheese is melted and bubbly. If you wish to freeze portions for future meals, cool them completely, place them in freezer-safe containers or bags, and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating as described above.
Final Thoughts
The Cottage Cheese Chicken Parm Bowl is a delightful and surprisingly easy meal that brings classic comfort food flavors to your table with a healthier, modern twist. Encourage yourself to try this simple recipe; you’ll be rewarded with a delicious and satisfying dinner that’s perfect for any occasion.
try also :
- Lentil and Sweet Potato Salad
- Cranberry Brie Bites
- Crispy Sweet Potato Bites
- Matcha Cake Recipe
- find more in Pinterest
Cottage Cheese Chicken Parm Bowl
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- If using chicken breasts, you can either pound them to an even 1/2-inch thickness for quicker and more uniform cooking, or cut them into bite-sized pieces (about 1-inch cubes). If using chicken thighs, trim any excess fat and cut them into similar bite-sized pieces. Pat the chicken pieces thoroughly dry with paper towels. This crucial step helps the coating adhere better and ensures a crispier finish.1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- In a shallow bowl, whisk together the whole milk cottage cheese and the large egg until relatively smooth. Don’t worry if there are a few small lumps of cottage cheese; they will melt during cooking. In a second shallow bowl, combine the grated Parmesan cheese, Italian-seasoned breadcrumbs (or panko), garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix these dry ingredients well to ensure even distribution of seasonings.1 cup whole milk cottage cheese, 1 large egg, 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 1/4 cup Italian-seasoned breadcrumbs, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon onion powder, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Add the prepared chicken pieces to the cottage cheese and egg mixture. Toss gently to ensure each piece is evenly coated. Let them sit in the mixture for about 2-3 minutes to allow the coating to absorb some moisture.1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, 1 cup whole milk cottage cheese, 1 large egg
- Using a slotted spoon or tongs, lift the coated chicken pieces from the cottage cheese mixture, allowing any excess to drip off. Then, transfer the chicken to the breadcrumb and Parmesan mixture. Press the breadcrumbs onto the chicken pieces to ensure a good coating on all sides. You may need to do this in batches.1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 1/4 cup Italian-seasoned breadcrumbs
- Heat the olive oil (or avocado oil) in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is shimmering, carefully add the breaded chicken pieces in a single layer, making sure not to overcrowd the pan. You may need to cook them in batches. Cook for about 3-4 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through. The internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165°F (74°C). Remove the cooked chicken from the skillet and place it on a plate lined with paper towels to drain any excess oil.2 tablespoons olive oil or avocado oil
- Divide the marinara sauce evenly among your serving bowls. Arrange the cooked chicken parmesan pieces on top of the marinara sauce.2 cups marinara sauce
- Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese over the chicken pieces in each bowl. You can place the bowls under a broiler for 1-2 minutes (watch carefully!) until the cheese is melted and bubbly, or cover the skillet with a lid for a few minutes to allow the residual heat to melt the cheese if you cooked the chicken in batches and want to rewarm everything.1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- Garnish each Cottage Cheese Chicken Parm Bowl generously with fresh basil leaves. If desired, add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a touch of heat or an extra sprinkle of Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately and enjoy!Fresh basil leaves, Red pepper flakes, Extra Parmesan cheese