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Dive into this silky Chicken Parm Cottage Cheese Bowl—it's got all the best parts of classic chicken parmesan but with a smooth creamy twist that’ll fill you up without feeling heavy. Crispy chicken breast, gooey mozzarella and Parm, a big scoop of tangy cottage cheese, spoonfuls of zesty marinara and loads of fresh basil, all stacked in one bowl. It’s comfort food that keeps things light with high-protein cottage cheese.
The first time I threw this together was after a late-night chicken parm craving hit but I couldn’t be bothered to fry and bake everything. It’s my favorite fix now when I need a hit of childhood flavors but just want something quick.
Tasty Ingredients
- Cooked breaded chicken breast, sliced: Brings awesome crunch and juicy flavor Try grabbing store-bought cutlets or homemade for that extra crisp
- Cottage cheese: Makes things extra creamy and brings a punch of protein Go for a thick, full-fat one for best results
- Marinara sauce: Adds punchy Italian flavor Choose a version loaded with herbs and real tomatoes for brightness
- Shredded mozzarella cheese: For those cheesy gooey pulls Use pre-shredded for plenty of melt and stretch
- Real Parmesan cheese, grated: Loads things up with that salty, nutty finish If you can, grab Parmigiano Reggiano for rich flavor
- Fresh basil for topping: Bright, fresh, and looks beautiful Pick leaves that are green and lively
Simple Step-by-Step
- Scoop and Spread:
- Start by dropping your cottage cheese in a bowl and smoothing it out This catches chicken juices and keeps things creamy on the bottom
- Chicken Time:
- Lay the sliced breaded chicken over the cottage cheese Get it snuggled in so your layers don’t slide around
- Marinara Magic:
- Heat up your marinara and pour it on top of the chicken so every bite gets good and saucy
- Cheese Shower:
- Sprinkle on mozzarella first then dust the top with Parmesan The warm sauce and chicken help melt everything together
- Basil Finishing Touch:
- Rip fresh basil right over everything The smell is amazing Dive in while it's warm for melty cheese and super crisp chicken
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The smell of fresh basil takes me right back to grandma’s kitchen She’d grab a few leaves and throw them on anything with tomato sauce It’s the easiest little trick but lifts this whole bowl
Storing Leftovers
Got extras Stash everything in a lidded container and pop it in the fridge for a couple days Warm it up in the microwave in short bursts so the cheese melts again but the chicken doesn’t get rubbery If it looks a bit dry, pour over another spoonful of marinara
Swaps and Alternatives
Want a lighter bowl Try using grilled chicken Turkey cutlets are solid too Any marinara you like will work—even a roasted pepper sauce Shredded provolone or fontina can pinch-hit for mozzarella if needed
How to Serve It
I love it with toasty garlic bread or a crunchy salad for a full meal Feeling brunchy Try a poached egg on top This bowl works perfectly for meal prep and makes a nice grab-and-go lunch too
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Fun Backstory
This mashup got its start in Italian American homes where folks swapped eggplant for chicken and piled on loads of cheese The cottage cheese twist isn’t old-school but brings extra creaminess and protein Serving it all in a bowl makes it easy and kind of new-age
Common Recipe Questions
- → Could I use grilled chicken here instead of breaded?
Definitely, grilled chicken is great if you want something lighter but it still goes really well with the cheese and sauce.
- → Which marinara should I grab?
Pick a good, bold marinara that tastes nice and herby. It adds a lot to the cheese and chicken combo.
- → Does this work for making ahead?
You'll get the best texture if you eat it right away, but you can prep the parts first and just pile it together when you're hungry.
- → Any tips to make this lighter?
Use low-fat cottage cheese, swap the breaded chicken for grilled, and cut back a bit on the mozzarella or Parmesan if you want to drop the fat.
- → Got ideas for what to eat with it?
This is great with a leafy green salad, some garlicky bread, or even steamed veggies to round out the meal.