Game Changing Cottage Cheese Chicken Parm Bowl
This recipe reimagines the classic chicken parmesan into a quick, high-protein bowl. Tender shredded chicken in marinara sauce is topped with a creamy, seasoned cottage cheese layer and broiled to golden, bubbly perfection for a satisfying and easy weeknight meal.
Equipment
- Oven with a broiler
- Baking Sheet
- 2-4 individual oven-safe bowls
- Large mixing bowl
- Medium mixing bowl
- Spoon or spatula
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Cheese grater
Ingredients
- 3 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded from about 2 large breasts
- 1.5 cups full-fat cottage cheese
- 1.5 cups marinara sauce
- 0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 0.5 tsp garlic powder
- 0.5 tsp onion powder
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- Fresh basil leaves, for garnish
Instructions
- Set your oven's broiler to high. Arrange 2 to 4 individual oven-safe bowls on a baking sheet.
- In a medium bowl, combine the full-fat cottage cheese, half of the grated Parmesan cheese (1/4 cup), Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and onion powder. Season generously with salt and black pepper and mix until well combined.
- In a separate large bowl, add the shredded cooked chicken and pour the marinara sauce over it. Stir until the chicken is evenly coated.
- Divide the saucy chicken mixture evenly among the prepared oven-safe bowls, creating a base layer.
- Spoon the seasoned cottage cheese mixture over the top of the chicken in each bowl. Use the back of a spoon to gently spread it into an even layer, covering the chicken.
- Sprinkle the remaining Parmesan cheese (1/4 cup) over the cottage cheese layer in each bowl.
- Place the baking sheet with the bowls under the broiler. Broil for 3-5 minutes, watching very closely, until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and has golden-brown spots.
- Carefully remove the bowls from the oven. Let them rest for a minute or two, as they will be very hot. Garnish with fresh basil before serving.
Notes
For the best texture and flavor, use full-fat cottage cheese as low-fat versions can be watery. Don't skip the broiler; its high heat is essential for creating the golden, bubbly crust. For variations, try using shredded chicken thighs or browned ground turkey. You can also add sautéed spinach or mushrooms to the chicken mixture. To enhance the flavor, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a grated fresh garlic clove to the cottage cheese mixture, or stir a spoonful of pesto into the marinara sauce.