Baked Italian Chicken Thighs Recipe: A Flavorful and Easy Dinner Option
Looking for a delicious and quick main dish for your dinner? This Italian chicken thighs recipe is the perfect choice. These juicy chicken thighs are topped with a savory blend of three cheeses and your favorite marinara sauce, creating a mouth-watering meal that everyone will love. Serve them over pasta, rice, or alongside roasted potatoes for a tasty weeknight dinner.
Yield: Serves 4
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Ingredients for Baked Italian Chicken Thighs
For this delicious Italian chicken thighs recipe, you’ll need the following ingredients:
- ½ cup low-fat ricotta cheese
- ¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- 1 pound skinless, boneless chicken thighs
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1½ cups marinara sauce
- ¾ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions for Making Italian Chicken Thighs
1. Preheat and Prepare
First, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). This ensures your oven is hot enough for the chicken to cook evenly.
2. Season the Chicken
Arrange the chicken thighs on a large baking sheet. Rub them with garlic powder, salt, and olive oil. Make sure each piece is evenly coated.
3. Mix the Cheeses
In a medium bowl, combine the low-fat ricotta and Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, and a pinch of salt.
4. Top Chicken with Marinara and Cheese
Next, spoon the marinara sauce evenly over each chicken thigh. Spread the ricotta mixture over the sauce and sprinkle a generous amount of shredded mozzarella on top.
5. Bake to Perfection
Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven. Bake for 35 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and the cheese has melted to a golden brown.
Options for Healthier Cooking
While this Italian chicken thighs recipe is already fairly health-conscious, you can make it even healthier by considering these optional methods:
- Use Less Cheese: Consider using less cheese to reduce saturated fat and calories.
- Marinara Sauce Choice: Opt for a low-sodium marinara sauce to decrease your salt intake.
- Alternative Cooking Method: Use an air fryer to cook the chicken thighs. This can yield great results while allowing excess fat to drip away.
Why You’ll Love This Italian Chicken Thighs Recipe
Firstly, this chicken recipe is extremely versatile. You can pair it with multiple sides, such as pasta or rice, which makes it a perfect choice for meal prep.
Furthermore, the use of fresh parsley and homemade cheese blends enhances the flavor, ensuring this will become a favorite in no time. Most importantly, its quick preparation time makes it ideal for busy weeknights.
So, try this Italian chicken thighs recipe today and let us know how it turned out! Share your variations and experimentations to create a dish that’s uniquely yours.
