High Protein Chicken Parm Cottage Cheese (Printer-Friendly)
Protein-packed twist on classic Italian flavors with melty cheeses and crispy topping
# What You’ll Need:
→ Chicken
01 - 1 large boneless skinless chicken breast (about 7 oz), cooked and chopped
02 - 1/2 tsp garlic powder
03 - 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
04 - 1/4 tsp salt
05 - 1/4 tsp black pepper
→ Sauce & Cheeses
06 - 2/3 cup low-fat cottage cheese
07 - 1/2 cup marinara sauce
08 - 1/4 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
09 - 2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
→ Toppings
10 - 2 tbsp whole-wheat panko breadcrumbs
11 - 1/2 tsp olive oil
12 - Fresh chopped basil, for garnish
# How To Make It:
01 - Turn on your oven broiler or toaster oven to the highest setting.
02 - Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add panko breadcrumbs and toast until golden brown, approximately 2 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
03 - Combine the chopped chicken with garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly to coat evenly.
04 - Divide the seasoned chicken evenly between two large oven-safe bowls. Spoon marinara sauce over the chicken, then top with dollops of cottage cheese.
05 - Sprinkle shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese over the top of each bowl, covering the cottage cheese and sauce.
06 - Place the bowls under the preheated broiler and cook for 3 to 5 minutes, or until the cheese is completely melted and bubbly with light golden spots.
07 - Carefully remove the bowls from the oven using oven mitts. Sprinkle the toasted panko breadcrumbs and fresh chopped basil over the top. Serve immediately while hot.
# Helpful Hints:
01 -
- The cottage cheese creates this incredibly creamy, ricotta-like texture that no one expects in a chicken parm bowl
- You get all the comfort of the classic dish but with 46 grams of protein and barely any prep time
02 -
- Oven-safe bowls are absolutely non-negotiable—regular bowls will crack under the broiler and ruin your dinner
- Broiler times can vary from 2 minutes to 6 minutes depending on your oven, so check at the 3-minute mark and every minute after
03 -
- Room temperature cottage cheese melts more evenly than cold straight from the fridge
- A sprinkle of red pepper flakes over the sauce layer adds just enough warmth to cut through the creaminess