Cottage Cheese Chicken Parm Bowl (Printable)
Baked panko chicken with cottage cheese, marinara and melted mozzarella over grains or greens for a high-protein bowl.
# What You'll Need:
→ Chicken
01 - 4 small boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 lb 5 oz / 600 g)
02 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
03 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
04 - 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
05 - 1/2 cup (about 2 oz / 60 g) all-purpose flour (gluten-free if needed)
06 - 2 large eggs, beaten
07 - 3/4 cup (about 2.6 oz / 75 g) panko breadcrumbs (gluten-free if needed)
08 - 1/4 cup (about 0.9 oz / 25 g) grated Parmesan cheese
09 - Cooking spray or olive oil
→ Base & Cheese
10 - 2 cups (about 15.9 oz / 450 g) low-fat cottage cheese
11 - 1 1/2 cups (about 12.8 fl oz / 380 ml) marinara sauce
12 - 1 cup (about 3.9 oz / 110 g) shredded mozzarella cheese
13 - Fresh basil leaves, for garnish
→ Optional Add-ins
14 - 2 cups baby spinach or arugula
15 - 1 cup cooked rice, quinoa, or zucchini noodles (for serving)
# Directions:
01 - Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and lightly coat with cooking spray or olive oil.
02 - Pat chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Season both sides evenly with salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning.
03 - Set up a breading station: dredge each chicken breast in flour, dip in beaten eggs, then coat thoroughly with a mixture of panko breadcrumbs and grated Parmesan. Place on the prepared baking sheet.
04 - Spray the tops of the breaded chicken lightly with cooking spray. Bake for 22–25 minutes until golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
05 - While the chicken bakes, warm the marinara sauce in a small saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally.
06 - Add 1/2 cup cooked rice, quinoa, or zucchini noodles to each bowl if using. Spoon in 1/2 cup cottage cheese and add a handful of baby spinach or arugula if desired.
07 - Slice the baked chicken and arrange over the bowl base. Spoon warm marinara sauce on top, sprinkle with shredded mozzarella, and broil for 2–3 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
08 - Finish with fresh basil leaves and serve immediately while hot.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The cottage cheese adds a ridiculous amount of protein while making every bite feel rich and saucy without heavy cream.
- Breading and baking the chicken takes barely any effort but delivers that golden, crispy crunch you crave from restaurant chicken parm.
- It all comes together in one bowl, which means fewer dishes and a meal that feels composed even on your laziest night.
02 -
- Do not crowd the baking sheet or the chicken will steam instead of getting crispy, so leave space between each piece.
- The cottage cheese will seem unusual at first if you have never tried it warm, but trust the process because it melts into the sauce beautifully.
03 -
- Let the breaded chicken rest for five minutes on the sheet before slicing so the juices redistribute and the crust stays intact.
- Full-fat cottage cheese creates an even creamier bowl, but low-fat works great too if that is what you have on hand.