High Protein Chicken Parmesan —25 Minutes, No Breading
Let’s talk about chicken parm, but not how your Nonna made it. You know, with all the breading, frying, and lots of gooey mozzarella. Don’t get me wrong, the traditional recipe is incredible, but we’re flipping the script for this one. This high protein chicken parmesan is a lightened-up, no-breading, cottage cheese version that still hits all the rich, tomatoey, cheesy notes we love. Oh, and did I mention it takes just 25 minutes from start to finish? This healthy chicken parmesan recipe has quickly become a weeknight staple in our house. It’s fast, it’s flavourful, and it absolutely packs in the protein. If you want to eat healthier, increase your protein, or find a filling meal, this is for you.
Ingredients:
- 3 chicken breasts (remove tenders)
- 1 tsp olive oil
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp oregano
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp pepper
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 1/2 cup marinara sauce
- 3 fresh basil leaves
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, shredded
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 450°F.
- Place chicken between parchment paper and roll flat using a rolling pin.
- Drizzle with olive oil and season both sides with garlic powder, oregano, salt, and pepper.
- Bake for 12–15 minutes until cooked through.
- Remove from oven. Top each chicken breast with spoonfuls of marinara, basil, 2–3 spoonfuls of cottage cheese, and a generous sprinkle of parmesan.
- Broil on high for 5–10 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
- Serve hot, ideally with a crisp Caesar salad.
Why This Chicken Parm Works
We’re stripping chicken parm down to the essentials—flavour and texture. No breading, no deep frying, no extra oil. Just juicy chicken breast, a tasty marinara, and a surprising mix of cottage cheese and grated parmesan cheese. This high protein chicken parmesan gets bubbly, golden, and really good under the broiler.
Here’s the kicker: this version is high in protein. It gets this from three strong ingredients—lean chicken breast, cottage cheese, and parmesan. Cottage cheese may not be the first choice for chicken parm, but listen up: it adds creaminess without the fat of regular mozzarella. Plus, it is full of protein to keep you satisfied and energized.
What Makes This a High Protein Chicken Parmesan?
You’re getting upwards of 50 grams of protein per serving, depending on the size of your chicken breast. Let’s break that down:
- Chicken breast: the king of lean protein, coming in hot at around 25–30g per piece.
- Cottage cheese: low-fat, high protein, creamy, and underused in savoury dishes. Every couple of tablespoons adds a nice protein bump.
- Parmesan cheese: often overlooked, but it’s actually higher in protein than you might expect—plus, a little goes a long way in the flavour department. Half a cup adds about 14g protein to the mix!
If you’re tracking macros or trying to meet your protein goals, this easy chicken parmesan recipe is a great choice.
Tips & Tricks
1. Roll your chicken thin: This is the game-changer. By laying the boneless, skinless chicken breasts between two sheets of parchment and giving them a good roll with the pin, you’re creating a thinner piece of chicken that cooks faster and more evenly. Plus, it gives you more surface area to layer up the good stuff.
2. Use quality marinara: This healthy chicken parmesan is simple, so your ingredients really matter. Go for a marinara you love—something garlicky and robust. Or, if you’ve got a homemade jar tucked away, even better.
3. Don’t sleep on cottage cheese: I know it’s a bit of a curveball, but trust me here. Cottage cheese gives you creaminess without weighing the dish down. And when it melts with the parmesan under the broiler? Chef’s kiss.
4. Basil is not optional: Okay, maybe it is technically optional—but if you have it, it adds a pop of freshness. I like to tear up a few basil leaves and tuck them right into the marinara layer.
High Protein Chicken Parmesan —Substitutions and Add-Ons
Can’t do cottage cheese? You could swap in a dollop of ricotta, or even Greek yogurt in a pinch. You won’t get quite the same broiled texture, but you’ll still get that creamy, tangy contrast to the tomato sauce and parmesan.
Turn this healthy chicken parmesan into a full meal? Serve it with a simple caesar salad (I love the crunchy romaine + creamy dressing combo with this dish), or over a bed of zucchini noodles, roasted spaghetti squash, or even some whole grain pasta.
Gluten-Free Friendly: Since there’s no breading involved, this dish is naturally gluten-free. Just double-check your marinara if you’re buying store-bought, as some sauces sneak in flour as a thickener.
A Quick Recap: Why You’ll Love This Easy Chicken Parmesan
- 25-minute cook time – perfect for busy weeknights
- No breading or frying – lighter, faster, and less mess
- High in protein – great for meal prep or post-workout fuel
- Melty, golden top – thanks to cottage cheese and parmesan
- Customizable – make it your own with herbs, sides, or sauces
This easy chicken parmesan recipe is everything we love about comfort food, without the heaviness. Big flavour, lean protein, and absolutely zero compromise on satisfaction.
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