Easy Cottage Cheese Chicken Parm Bowl Recipe: This dish offers a lighter, protein-packed twist on a classic comfort food, making it a weeknight hero that’s both incredibly satisfying and surprisingly healthy. It’s a perfect example of how simple ingredients can transform into a delicious and wholesome meal, ideal for busy individuals and families alike.
Key Ingredients for Easy Cottage Cheese Chicken Parm Bowl Recipe
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1/2 cup whole milk cottage cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for topping
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, for pan-frying
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- Cooked pasta or zucchini noodles, for serving
- Fresh basil leaves, for garnish (optional)
- Red pepper flakes, for garnish (optional)
How to Make Easy Cottage Cheese Chicken Parm Bowl Recipe
This Easy Cottage Cheese Chicken Parm Bowl Recipe transforms a beloved Italian classic into a streamlined, protein-rich meal that’s ready in a flash. With its creamy, cheesy chicken and rich marinara, this dish offers ultimate satisfaction without the fuss. Expect it to take around 30 minutes from start to finish, making it a perfect weeknight delight.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Trim any excess fat from the chicken breasts. Slice each chicken breast horizontally to create thinner cutlets, or pound them to an even thickness of about 1/2 inch. This ensures they cook quickly and evenly. Season both sides generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Set Up Dredging Stations: Prepare three shallow bowls or plates. In the first bowl, combine the flour with the Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, and a pinch of salt and pepper. In the second bowl, whisk together the egg and the cottage cheese until well combined and relatively smooth. In the third bowl, place the panko breadcrumbs and the 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese.
- Bread the Chicken: Dip each chicken cutlet into the flour mixture, shaking off any excess. Then, dip it into the cottage cheese and egg mixture, ensuring it’s fully coated. Let any excess drip off. Finally, press the chicken cutlet into the panko and Parmesan mixture, coating both sides thoroughly.
- Pan-Fry the Chicken: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is shimmering, carefully place the breaded chicken cutlets into the skillet, being careful not to overcrowd the pan. You may need to cook them in batches. Cook for 3-4 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C). Remove the cooked chicken from the skillet and place it on a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess oil.
- Warm the Marinara Sauce: While the chicken is cooking or resting, gently warm the marinara sauce in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. You can also heat it in the microwave.
- Assemble the Bowls: To assemble your Easy Cottage Cheese Chicken Parm Bowl Recipe, spoon your prepared cooked pasta or zucchini noodles into serving bowls. Top with a generous portion of the warmed marinara sauce. Place one or two of the golden-brown cottage cheese-breaded chicken cutlets on top of the sauce.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle with additional grated Parmesan cheese, fresh basil leaves, and a pinch of red pepper flakes, if desired. Serve immediately and enjoy your delicious and healthy twist on chicken parmigiana!
Why You’ll Love This Easy Cottage Cheese Chicken Parm Bowl Recipe
You’ll adore this Easy Cottage Cheese Chicken Parm Bowl Recipe for its unbelievably tender and flavorful chicken, thanks to the creamy cottage cheese coating that creates a light, crisp crust. This recipe is a true hero for your wallet and your waistline, offering a satisfying, protein-boosted meal that rivals traditional chicken parmigiana without the heavy, fried calories. The vibrant marinara and fresh basil toppings add that signature Italian zest, making every bite a delightful experience.
Forget the usual long ingredient lists and complex steps; this recipe streamlines the process, delivering all the comforting flavors you crave in a fraction of the time and cost. It’s a fantastic way to enjoy a restaurant-quality dish from the comfort of your own kitchen, proving that healthy eating can be exceptionally delicious. Give this Easy Cottage Cheese Chicken Parm Bowl Recipe a try – your taste buds and your budget will thank you!
Storing and Reheating Tips
Leftovers of this Easy Cottage Cheese Chicken Parm Bowl Recipe can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Ensure the chicken has cooled completely before storing to prevent condensation build-up. The pasta or zucchini noodles can also be stored with the chicken and sauce, though they may absorb more liquid over time.
To reheat, you have a few options for optimal taste. For the best texture, gently reheat the chicken cutlets and sauce separately in a skillet over medium-low heat until warmed through. Alternatively, you can microwave individual portions. If reheating pasta or zucchini noodles, it’s best to add a splash of water or broth to prevent them from drying out. For future meals, you can freeze the cooked chicken cutlets (without sauce or pasta) in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Final Thoughts
This Easy Cottage Cheese Chicken Parm Bowl Recipe beautifully marries convenience, health, and incredible flavor, proving that comfort food can be guilt-free. We encourage you to whip up this delightful dish and discover a new favorite weeknight meal that’s both satisfying and simple to create. Enjoy every delicious bite!
Easy Cottage Cheese Chicken Parm Bowl Recipe
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Trim any excess fat from the chicken breasts. Slice each chicken breast horizontally to create thinner cutlets, or pound them to an even thickness of about 1/2 inch. This ensures they cook quickly and evenly. Season both sides generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper.1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, to taste Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- Prepare three shallow bowls or plates. In the first bowl, combine the flour with the Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, and a pinch of salt and pepper. In the second bowl, whisk together the egg and the cottage cheese until well combined and relatively smooth. In the third bowl, place the panko breadcrumbs and the 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese.1/4 cup all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/4 teaspoon onion powder, to taste Salt and freshly ground black pepper, 1/2 cup whole milk cottage cheese, 1 large egg, 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs, 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Dip each chicken cutlet into the flour mixture, shaking off any excess. Then, dip it into the cottage cheese and egg mixture, ensuring it’s fully coated. Let any excess drip off. Finally, press the chicken cutlet into the panko and Parmesan mixture, coating both sides thoroughly.1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, 1/4 cup all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup whole milk cottage cheese, 1 large egg, 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs, 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is shimmering, carefully place the breaded chicken cutlets into the skillet, being careful not to overcrowd the pan. You may need to cook them in batches. Cook for 3-4 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C). Remove the cooked chicken from the skillet and place it on a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess oil.2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- While the chicken is cooking or resting, gently warm the marinara sauce in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. You can also heat it in the microwave.1 cup marinara sauce
- To assemble your Easy Cottage Cheese Chicken Parm Bowl Recipe, spoon your prepared cooked pasta or zucchini noodles into serving bowls. Top with a generous portion of the warmed marinara sauce. Place one or two of the golden-brown cottage cheese-breaded chicken cutlets on top of the sauce.Cooked pasta or zucchini noodles, 1 cup marinara sauce, 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Sprinkle with additional grated Parmesan cheese, fresh basil leaves, and a pinch of red pepper flakes, if desired. Serve immediately and enjoy your delicious and healthy twist on chicken parmigiana!1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, Fresh basil leaves, Red pepper flakes