Healthy Marry Me Chicken with Cottage Cheese Recipe
Healthy Marry Me Chicken with Cottage Cheese is a flavorful, creamy chicken dish that combines tender, pan-seared chicken breasts with a rich, savory sauce made from cottage cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, and parmesan. This recipe offers a lighter twist on the popular ‘Marry Me Chicken’ by using cottage cheese for added protein and creaminess, perfect for a wholesome weeknight dinner served with pasta or crusty bread.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Chicken
- 1½ pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 4 small)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Sauce
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- Dash of red pepper flakes (optional)
- ¾ cup chicken broth
- ¾ cup cottage cheese
- 3 tablespoons jarred sun-dried tomatoes in oil
- 1 cup fresh baby spinach, packed
- ½ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
Garnish
- Fresh chopped basil
- Additional parmesan cheese
- Chopped sun-dried tomatoes
Instructions
- Prepare and Season Chicken: Pound chicken breasts with a meat mallet until they are an even thickness. Season both sides with salt and black pepper to enhance the flavor and ensure even cooking.
- Cook Chicken: Heat a large, heavy non-stick or cast iron pan over medium-high heat. Add olive oil, then place the seasoned chicken breasts into the pan. Cook undisturbed until golden brown on one side, about 4-5 minutes, then flip and brown the other side for another 4-5 minutes. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.
- Blend Sauce Ingredients: While the chicken cooks, combine cottage cheese, ½ cup of chicken broth, and jarred sun-dried tomatoes in a high-powered blender. Blend until smooth. If the mixture is too thick, add the remaining ¼ cup chicken broth to achieve a creamy consistency. Set this sauce aside.
- Sauté Garlic and Tomato Paste: In the same pan used for the chicken, add minced garlic, tomato paste, dried oregano, and red pepper flakes (if using). Cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant and the tomato paste darkens slightly, stirring frequently to avoid burning.
- Combine Sauce and Simmer: Pour the blended cottage cheese mixture into the pan with the garlic and tomato paste. Whisk until fully combined. If the sauce feels too thick, add the remaining chicken broth or a splash more to loosen it. Bring the sauce to a simmer, then reduce heat to low.
- Return Chicken to Pan and Cook: Nestle the browned chicken breasts back into the sauce. Cover the pan and let the chicken simmer for 10-12 minutes until almost cooked through.
- Add Spinach and Parmesan: Stir fresh baby spinach and freshly grated parmesan cheese into the pan. Replace the lid and continue cooking for about 2 more minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165℉ and the spinach has wilted.
- Finish and Garnish: Remove the pan from heat. Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning if needed. Garnish the dish with fresh chopped basil, additional grated parmesan cheese, and chopped sun-dried tomatoes. Serve warm with pasta, crusty bread, and a fresh salad for a complete meal.
Notes
- To ensure even cooking, pounding the chicken to a uniform thickness is essential.
- If you don’t have fresh basil, dried basil can be used but add it earlier in the cooking process for better flavor infusion.
- For a spicier kick, increase the amount of red pepper flakes or add crushed red chili flakes to the sauce.
- The cottage cheese sauce can be blended ahead of time and refrigerated for up to 24 hours.
- This recipe pairs well with a simple side salad and garlic bread for a full dinner experience.
