Baked Italian Chicken Thighs

These Italian chicken thighs are baked with ricotta, Parmesan, mozzarella, and marinara sauce for a tasty weeknight meal perfect served with pasta.

• Preparation Time: 5 mins
• Cooking Time: 30 mins
• Total Time: 35 mins
• Calories: 378 Calories

Ingredients

• salt to taste
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
• 1 pound skinless, boneless chicken thighs
• 0.125 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 0.75 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 0.25 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 1.5 cups marinara sauce
• 0.5 cup low-fat ricotta cheese

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).

Step 2

Season chicken thighs on both sides with garlic powder and salt.

Step 3

Combine ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, and salt in a small bowl; set aside.

Step 4

Heat olive oil in an oven-proof skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken thighs, smooth-side down, in hot oil until the bottoms are browned, 3 to 4 minutes. Flip thighs over and remove the skillet from heat. Top each thigh with an equal amount of ricotta cheese mixture. Spoon marinara sauce on top and around chicken thighs.

Step 5

Bake in the preheated oven until chicken is no longer pink in the center and the juices run clear, about 25 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the centers of thighs should read at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).

Step 6

Top each thigh with mozzarella cheese and continue baking until cheese is melted, 2 to 3 minutes. Garnish with parsley to serve.