Easy High-Protein Creamy Italian Chicken Bake

Blending cottage cheese right into your favorite marinara sauce. It creates a smooth, creamy sauce with extra protein and no heavy cream.

Easy High-Protein Chicken Bake | Simple Ingredients, Creamy Cottage Cheese Marinara & One-Dish Dinner

This Easy, High-Protein, Creamy Italian Chicken Bake is perfect for busy weeknights. Just a handful of everyday ingredients, about 10 minutes of prep, and one baking dish!

The secret? Blending cottage cheese right into your favorite marinara sauce. It creates a smooth, creamy sauce with extra protein and no heavy cream. Add chicken breast, fresh spinach, Italian seasonings, and a little mozzarella or Parmesan for an easy, satisfying dinner.

Best of all, there's no need to precook the chicken. Just assemble, bake, and enjoy!

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Why You'll Love This Recipe

• High in protein: Cottage cheese adds extra protein to the marinara without changing its texture once blended.

• Simple ingredients: Nothing fancy or hard to find...you probably already have in your kitchen and pantry.

• Easy cleanup: Everything cooks in one baking dish.

• Family-friendly: Classic Italian flavors with a healthier twist.

• Versatile: Serve on its own, over pasta, or with your favorite vegetables.

INGREDIENTS

• 1½ lbs. boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cubed

• 1 jar (approximately 24 oz.) marinara sauce

• 1 cup 2% cottage cheese

• 1 tbsp. minced garlic

• 1 tsp. Italian seasoning

• 1 tbsp. garlic powder

• 3 handfuls fresh spinach, chopped

• 1 cup shredded mozzarella or Parmesan, divided

• Olive oil spray

This easy high-protein Italian chicken bake is made with simple ingredients, tender chicken, spinach, and creamy cottage cheese marinara, and comes out of the oven bubbling and smelling amazing!

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Lightly spray a 9 × 13-inch baking dish with olive oil.

2. Spread cubed chicken evenly in the dish and sprinkle with Italian seasoning.

3. Layer chopped spinach over the chicken.

4. Combine marinara, cottage cheese, minced garlic, and garlic powder in a blender. Blend until smooth.

5. Pour sauce over chicken and spinach. Using tongs, toss to evenly coat, then sprinkle with ½ cup shredded cheese.

6. Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes.

7. After 30 minutes, remove foil, add remaining ½ cup cheese, and bake uncovered for approximately 10 minutes, or until chicken reaches 165°F.

8. Let rest a few minutes before serving. If you want some added crunch, add a few croutons on top when serving.

Hippy Tips

• Choose a good marinara. Look for simple ingredients, olive oil instead of seed oils, and little or no added sugar.

• Blend until smooth. This is what makes the cottage cheese disappear into the sauce while adding creaminess and protein.

• Make it your own. Use mozzarella, Parmesan, or a combination of both. Add onions, mushrooms or zucchini for extra vegetables.

• Enjoy it on its own or serve over zucchini noodles, protein pasta, or cauliflower rice. A simple green salad also makes a great side.