Creamy Tuscan Chicken Cottage Cheese Bake Recipe
This Creamy Tuscan Chicken Cottage Cheese Bake is a delicious, cheesy, and hearty dish featuring shredded chicken combined with cottage cheese, spinach, cherry tomatoes, and Italian seasonings. Baked to golden perfection with mozzarella and Parmesan cheese, it’s a comforting meal perfect for weeknight dinners or cozy gatherings.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Tuscan, Italian
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 1 cup spinach, chopped
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon fresh basil, chopped (optional for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the chicken casserole.
- Mix ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded cooked chicken, cottage cheese, chopped spinach, halved cherry tomatoes, shredded mozzarella, grated Parmesan, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Stir everything thoroughly until the mixture is well combined.
- Prepare baking dish: Drizzle olive oil into a 9×13 inch baking dish and spread it evenly to coat the bottom lightly. This prevents sticking and adds flavor.
- Transfer mixture: Pour the chicken and cheese mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly to ensure uniform cooking.
- Bake the dish: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the top turns golden brown and becomes bubbly.
- Cool and garnish: Remove the dish from the oven and let it cool for about 5 minutes. Garnish with chopped fresh basil if desired before serving.
Notes
- Use freshly cooked chicken for best results, but leftover shredded chicken works well too.
- Spinach can be substituted with kale or Swiss chard if preferred.
- For a richer flavor, consider using full-fat cottage cheese and mozzarella.
- Adjust salt according to taste, especially if using pre-seasoned chicken.
- This dish pairs well with a side salad or crusty bread for a complete meal.
- Leftovers can be stored covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated before serving.
Keywords: Tuscan chicken bake, cottage cheese recipe, baked chicken casserole, creamy chicken bake, Italian chicken dish
