Looking for a quick and delicious dinner that packs a punch of flavor?

These Baked Italian Chicken Thighs are your answer!

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With a rich blend of cheeses and savory marinara sauce, this easy recipe transforms simple chicken thighs into a hearty, comforting meal.

Perfect for busy weeknights, this dish comes together in just 35 minutes and can be paired with your favorite pasta, rice, or roasted potatoes.

Enjoy a taste of Italy right at your dinner table!

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 powderSalt, to taste
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 ½ cups marinara sauce
• ¾ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (Optional)

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Instructions

Step 1: Preheat

• Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Step 2: Prepare the Cheese Mixture

• In a small bowl, mix together the ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, and ⅛ teaspoon of salt.
• Set this aside.

Step 3: Season the Chicken

• Sprinkle garlic powder and salt on both sides of the chicken thighs.

Step 4: Brown the Chicken

• Heat olive oil in an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat.
• Place the chicken thighs, smooth-side down, in the hot oil.
• Cook until the bottoms are browned, about 3-4 minutes.
• Flip the thighs over, then remove the skillet from heat.

Step 5: Add Toppings

• Spread an equal amount of the ricotta cheese mixture on top of each chicken thigh.
• Pour marinara sauce over and around the chicken.

Step 6: Bake

• Place the skillet in the preheated oven and bake for about 25 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through (an internal temperature of 165°F or 74°C) and the juices run clear.

Step 7: Add Mozzarella

• Top each chicken thigh with shredded mozzarella cheese and bake for an additional 2-3 minutes, or until the cheese is melted.

Step 8: Garnish

• If desired, sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley before serving.

FAQs

Can I prepare this dish in advance?

Yes, you can prepare the chicken thighs and cheese mixture up to a day ahead. Store them separately in the refrigerator. When ready to bake, add the marinara sauce and follow the baking instructions.

What should I do if I don’t have an oven-safe skillet?

If you don’t have an oven-safe skillet, you can use a regular skillet to brown the chicken, then transfer the chicken and sauce to a baking dish before placing it in the oven. Make sure the baking dish is well-coated with cooking spray or oil to prevent sticking.

Quick & Easy Baked Italian Chicken Thighs

Baked Italian Chicken Thighs are seasoned and cooked in a savory marinara sauce with a blend of ricotta, Parmesan, and mozzarella cheeses, creating a quick and flavorful weeknight meal.

Print Pin Rate

Cuisine: Italian

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes minutes

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• ▢ ½ cup low-fat ricotta cheese
• ▢ ¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• ▢ ½ tsp Italian seasoning
• ▢ ⅛ tsp salt
• ▢ 1 pound skinless, boneless chicken thighs
• ▢ 1 tsp garlic powder
• ▢ salt to taste
• ▢ 1 tbsp olive oil
• ▢ 1 ½ cups marinara sauce
• ▢ ¾ cups mozzarella cheese shredded
• ▢ 2 tbsp fresh parsley (Optional) chopped

Instructions

Preheat

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Prepare the Cheese Mixture

1. In a small bowl, mix together the ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, and ⅛ teaspoon of salt.

   Set this aside.

Season the Chicken

1. Sprinkle garlic powder and salt on both sides of the chicken thighs.

Brown the Chicken

1. Heat olive oil in an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat.

   Place the chicken thighs, smooth-side down, in the hot oil.

   Cook until the bottoms are browned, about 3-4 minutes.

   Flip the thighs over, then remove the skillet from heat.

Add Toppings

1. Spread an equal amount of the ricotta cheese mixture on top of each chicken thigh.

   Pour marinara sauce over and around the chicken.

Bake

1. Place the skillet in the preheated oven and bake for about 25 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through (an internal temperature of 165°F or 74°C) and the juices run clear.

Add Mozzarella

1. Top each chicken thigh with shredded mozzarella cheese and bake for an additional 2-3 minutes, or until the cheese is melted.

Garnish

1. If desired, sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley before serving.

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