These Stuffed Cheesy Chicken Bakes, dressed with spinach and ricotta, are not only an easy and delicious choice for dinner but also a pleasing and beautiful meal to impress friends and family.
Preheat the oven to 450°F and lightly grease the bottom of a large baking dish.
2
Place the Italian breadcrumbs and 2 tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese in a shallow bowl, mixing well.
3
Cut the chicken breasts in half horizontally, creating 8 thin pieces.
4
Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat and saute spinach and minced garlic for 2-3 minutes, or until the spinach wilts.
5
In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine sauteed spinach, ricotta cheese, remaining 4 tablespoons of Parmesan cheese, and beaten egg whites.
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Place about 2 tablespoons of the spinach-ricotta filling in the middle of each chicken piece and fold the chicken over the filling.
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Dip each stuffed chicken piece in the breadcrumb mixture, coating each side evenly.
8
Arrange the coated chicken pieces in the prepared baking dish, seam-side down.
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Bake for 25 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through and the breadcrumb coating is golden brown.
10
Remove the dish from the oven, spread marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese slices over each stuffed chicken piece, and bake for additional 5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted.
11
After taking out the dish from the oven, sprinkle chopped fresh basil on top before serving.