Name: Dreamy, Skinny Lasagna Topped Chicken
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 35 min
Ingredients: 2 (1 pound) chicken breasts; 1 cup fat-free ricotta cheese or cottage cheese; 1 egg; 3 teaspoons Italian seasoning, divided; 2 teaspoons fresh garlic, crushed; ½ teaspoon salt; 1 cup light shredded mozzarella, divided; 1¼ cup jarred pasta, marinara or pizza sauce, (I used Classico pizza sauce, divided); Salt and Pepper, to taste; 4 teaspoons Parmesan cheese, grated

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All the delicious flavors you love from lasagna smothered on top of chicken breasts and baked until velvety goodness. No noodles here. Each serving has 311 calories and 9 grams of fat. I’m pretty sure you are going to LOVE this chicken!

Indulge Guilt-Free: Discover the Delight of Dreamy, Skinny Lasagna Topped Chicken!

Craving the comforting flavors of lasagna but seeking a lighter, healthier twist? Look no further than Dreamy, Skinny Lasagna Topped Chicken! This innovative dish delivers all the satisfying tastes of cheesy, saucy lasagna without the heavy pasta. Imagine tender chicken breasts blanketed in a rich, flavorful tomato sauce, creamy ricotta cheese, and gooey melted mozzarella – a lighter take on a classic indulgence. It's a fantastic way to enjoy the beloved lasagna experience while keeping your calorie and carb intake in check. Whether you're following a specific diet, aiming for a healthier lifestyle, or simply seeking a delicious and easy meal, this lasagna-topped chicken offers a flavorful and fulfilling option that will leave you feeling satisfied and guilt-free. Say goodbye to heavy lasagna and hello to a dreamy, skinny, and utterly delicious way to enjoy those comforting flavors!

Ingredient For Dreamy, Skinny Lasagna Topped Chicken

Chicken Breasts (2 pounds): The lean and protein-rich foundation of our dish. Chicken breasts are a fantastic source of high-quality protein, essential for muscle building and satiety. Their mild flavor makes them a versatile base that readily absorbs the delicious flavors of the lasagna-inspired toppings. Using two pounds ensures a satisfying and substantial meal.

Fat-Free Ricotta Cheese or Cottage Cheese (1 cup): This creamy ingredient provides the rich, cheesy texture reminiscent of traditional lasagna filling, but without the added fat. Fat-free ricotta offers a smooth and slightly sweet flavor, while fat-free cottage cheese, when blended or used with its curds, adds a similar creamy element with a slightly different texture. Both options contribute a significant amount of protein and calcium, enhancing the nutritional value of the dish.

Egg (1): Acting as a binder, the egg helps to hold the ricotta or cottage cheese mixture together, creating a cohesive and spreadable topping for the chicken. It also adds a touch of richness and contributes to the overall texture of the cheesy layer.

Italian Seasoning (3 teaspoons, divided): This aromatic blend of herbs, typically including oregano, basil, thyme, rosemary, and marjoram, provides the classic Italian flavor profile that is essential to lasagna. Dividing the seasoning allows us to infuse both the cheesy topping and the chicken itself with these delicious herbaceous notes, creating layers of flavor throughout the dish.

Fresh Garlic, Crushed (2 teaspoons): The pungent and savory aroma of fresh garlic adds a significant flavor boost to our dish. Crushing the garlic releases its oils and intensifies its taste, providing a delicious savory counterpoint to the creamy cheese and the tang of the tomato sauce.

Salt (½ teaspoon): A fundamental seasoning that enhances the natural flavors of all the ingredients. Salt helps to bring out the taste of the chicken, cheese, and sauce, ensuring a well-balanced and palatable dish.

Light Shredded Mozzarella (1 cup, divided): The quintessential melting cheese for lasagna, light shredded mozzarella provides that wonderfully gooey and stringy texture we all love, but with fewer calories and less fat than traditional mozzarella. Dividing the mozzarella allows us to incorporate some into the ricotta mixture for added creaminess and use the rest as a delicious, melty topping.

Jarred Pasta, Marinara or Pizza Sauce (1¼ cup, divided): This convenient ingredient provides the essential tomato-based sauce that is characteristic of lasagna. Marinara offers a classic tomato and herb flavor, while pizza sauce often has a slightly richer and more concentrated tomato taste with additional seasonings. Dividing the sauce allows us to create a flavorful base for the chicken and also to layer it over the ricotta topping, ensuring every bite is infused with that delicious tomato tang.

Salt and Pepper (to taste): These fundamental seasonings allow for personalized flavor enhancement of the chicken. Seasoning the chicken breasts with salt and pepper before topping them ensures they are flavorful on their own and complement the richness of the lasagna-inspired toppings.

Parmesan Cheese, Grated (4 teaspoons): This hard, salty cheese adds a sharp and nutty flavor that is a classic element of Italian cuisine and lasagna. Grated Parmesan sprinkled on top of the mozzarella provides an extra layer of savory flavor and a slightly browned and crispy finish during baking.

Crafting Guilt-Free Comfort: Your Step-by-Step Guide to Dreamy, Skinny Lasagna Topped Chicken

Prepping Your Protein and Baking Stage:

Preheat Your Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (approximately 200 degrees Celsius). This ensures your oven is at the optimal temperature for even cooking.
Prepare the Chicken Breasts: Take 2 (1 pound) chicken breasts. Carefully cut each chicken breast in half horizontally to create a total of 4 thinner chicken breasts. This will help them cook more evenly and quickly.
Butterfly for Even Cooking: Butterfly each of the 4 chicken breasts. To do this, place a chicken breast flat on a cutting board and use a sharp knife to slice horizontally through the center of the breast, almost all the way through, but leaving a small hinge on one side. Open it up like a book. This technique creates a larger, flatter surface area for even cooking and ample space for our delicious toppings.
Arrange in Baking Dish: Lightly grease a baking dish with cooking spray or a touch of oil. Place all 4 butterflied chicken breasts in the prepared baking dish, ensuring they have some space between them for even heat circulation.

Layering the Lasagna-Inspired Goodness:

Create the Creamy Ricotta Topping: In a small mixing bowl, combine 1 cup of fat-free ricotta cheese (or fat-free cottage cheese), 1 egg, 2 teaspoons of Italian seasoning, 2 teaspoons of crushed fresh garlic, and ½ teaspoon of salt. Stir these ingredients together thoroughly until well blended, creating our light and flavorful "lasagna" cheese layer.
Add a Base of Flavorful Sauce: Spoon approximately ¼ cup of your chosen jarred pasta sauce (marinara or pizza sauce, about 1¼ cup total) directly on top of each butterflied chicken breast, spreading it evenly to create a flavorful base for the ricotta mixture.
Spread the Creamy Topping: Spoon the prepared ricotta cheese mixture evenly over the sauce-covered chicken breasts. Aim for about ¼ of the ricotta mixture per chicken breast, spreading it to cover the sauce layer.
Drizzle with More Sauce: Drizzle the remaining pasta sauce (about ¼ cup) artfully over the ricotta-topped chicken breasts. This adds another layer of tomato flavor and visual appeal.
Top with Melty Mozzarella: Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of light shredded mozzarella cheese over the top of each chicken breast. This will create that classic gooey and cheesy lasagna topping as it melts in the oven.
Add Parmesan and Herbs: Sprinkle each mozzarella-topped chicken breast with 1 teaspoon of grated Parmesan cheese for a touch of salty, nutty flavor. Finally, sprinkle the remaining 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning evenly over all the chicken breasts and season lightly with additional salt and pepper to taste, enhancing the overall flavor profile.

Baking to Tender Perfection:

Bake in the Oven: Carefully place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit (74 degrees Celsius). The mozzarella cheese should be melted and bubbly, and the chicken should be tender and opaque throughout.

Serving and Storing Your Skinny Lasagna Delight:

Once cooked, carefully remove the baking dish from the oven and let the chicken rest for a few minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in more tender and flavorful chicken.

Scaling and Freezing Tips:

Easy to Double or Triple: This recipe is incredibly versatile and can easily be doubled or tripled to feed a larger crowd. Simply adjust the ingredient quantities accordingly and use a larger baking dish.
Freezes Beautifully: Leftovers of this Dreamy, Skinny Lasagna Topped Chicken freeze exceptionally well. Allow the cooked chicken to cool completely, then wrap each piece individually in plastic wrap or foil before placing them in a freezer-safe bag or container. To reheat, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and then bake in a preheated oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius) until heated through, or microwave gently.

Helpful Tips About this Recipe

WW Freestyle SmartPoints 6–Blue
WW SmartPoints 6-Green

SKINNY FACTS: for 1 serving
311 calories, 9g fat, 4g sat. fat, 133mg chol, 18g protein, 14g carbs, 1g fiber, 948mg sod, 10g sugar

FACTS: for Freestyle SmartPoints
173 calories, 3g sat. fat, 16g protein, 10g sugar