Chicken Ricotta Spinach Bake Why This Is So Popular
When you think of comfort food, you probably think of dishes that are creamy, cheesy, and leave you feeling full and happy. That’s exactly what this Chicken Ricotta Spinach Bake delivers—but with a healthy twist. You’re still getting lean protein from the chicken, fibre and nutrients from the spinach, and calcium from the cheese. And because it’s baked, there’s no standing over a frypan or multiple pots on the go.
Here’s why you’ll fall in love with it:
✅ It’s easy to make and ready in under 40 minutes
✅ It uses simple, everyday ingredients
✅ It’s low-carb and naturally gluten-free
✅ It’s full of flavour and texture
✅ It makes delicious leftovers
The creamy ricotta spinach mix gives the chicken an irresistible filling while the tomato passata and melted cheese on top take it into full comfort food territory. And did I mention it all bakes in one dish?
Top Tips for the Best Chicken Ricotta Spinach Bake
I’ve made this Chicken Ricotta Spinach Bake recipe dozens of times, and these little tweaks and tips will help you get the most flavour and perfect bake every single time.
Use firm ricotta
Firm, high-quality ricotta is key to a good texture. If your ricotta is a bit watery, strain it through a cheesecloth for 10–15 minutes before mixing.
Choose fresh baby spinach
Baby spinach blends better and gives a fresher taste. You don’t even need to cook it beforehand if your food processor is decent.
Add a splash of red wine
This is optional, but that little bit of wine in the sauce adds such a rich, deep flavour. Don’t worry, it cooks off in the oven—no boozy aftertaste!
Crank up the heat
Baking at 220°C (fan-forced) helps get a lovely golden top without overcooking the chicken. Just make sure your chicken breasts are evenly sized.
Season well
Don’t forget to season both the ricotta mixture and the tomato sauce generously with salt and pepper. It makes all the difference!
Ingredients You’ll Want to Use
While the basic recipe is super forgiving, using high-quality ingredients will really elevate the dish. Here’s what I recommend:
Chicken breasts – Go for free-range if possible. You can also use chicken thighs for a juicier option.
Ricotta cheese – Firm ricotta gives the best texture. Avoid the super soft kind in tubs.
Parmesan – Freshly grated is best! It adds a nutty, salty kick to the filling.
Pizza cheese – This usually includes mozzarella and cheddar, which melt beautifully.
Tomato passata – Choose one with no added sugar or extra herbs so you can control the flavour.
How to Serve It
This Chicken Ricotta Spinach Bake is packed with flavour and satisfying enough to serve on its own, but I love pairing it with sides for a more complete meal. Here are some of my favourites:
With a simple green salad
A rocket and tomato salad with a balsamic dressing balances the richness of the bake beautifully.
With roasted potatoes
Crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside – roasted potatoes are always a good idea!
With garlic bread
Because mopping up that tomato sauce with buttery garlic bread is pure magic. ✨
With pasta or mash
For something heartier, serve the chicken over creamy mashed potatoes or spaghetti.
Storage Tips: Make Once, Eat Twice (or More!)
This Chicken Ricotta Spinach Bake stores and reheats like a dream. Perfect for meal prep or leftovers the next day.
In the fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave until warmed through.
In the freezer: You can freeze the cooked bake (before adding cheese) for up to 2 months. Defrost overnight in the fridge and reheat in the oven, adding cheese fresh before baking.
Reheating tip: Add a splash of passata or water when reheating to keep the chicken moist and the sauce silky.
Other Recipes to Try If You Love This One
Obsessed with this chicken bake like I am? Here are some other chicken recipes to keep your dinners fresh and delicious:
Chicken Bacon Casserole That’ll Have Everyone Coming Back for Seconds!
Chicken Meatball Noodle Soup That’ll Warm Your Soul
Pesto Chicken and Potatoes: The Ultimate Creamy Weeknight Winner
Honey Mustard Chicken: The Sweet & Creamy One-Pan Wonder You’ll Want on Repeat
Garlic Butter Chicken and Rice: The Ultimate One-Pan Oven-Baked Dinner Recipe
Chicken Pie Made Easy: The Ultimate Cheats Chicken Pie with a Puffy Hat
Don’t Forget to Share Your Creations
If you make this Chicken Ricotta Spinach Bake, I’d love to see it! Snap a pic and tag me on Instagram @steph_cooks_stuff so I can share your beautiful dinner with my community. Seeing your creations always makes my day!
The Final Word on This Chicken Ricotta Spinach Bake
This Chicken Ricotta Spinach Bake is everything I love in a weeknight meal: it’s quick, comforting, easy to customise, and guaranteed to please even the fussiest eaters. Whether you’re hosting mates for dinner or just need something satisfying after a long day, this chicken recipe delivers big flavour with minimal effort.
Now go on—grab that baking dish, stuff those chicken breasts, and enjoy every bite of this cheesy, tomatoey, creamy goodness.
Chicken Ricotta Spinach Bake
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
Description
CHEESY SPINACH & RICOTTA CHICKEN BAKE! 🍗🧀
Need a new way to love chicken breast? This juicy, cheesy, tomatoey bake is bursting with flavour and couldn’t be easier. I stuff the chicken with a creamy spinach and ricotta mix, then bake it right in the sauce. It’s a one-pan wonder that feels a bit fancy but is totally easy enough for a weeknight. Let’s do this!
Ingredients
For the chicken:
- 4 chicken breasts
- 150g firm ricotta
- 1 tbsp crushed garlic
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
- 1 handful spinach
- Salt and pepper
For the sauce:
Instructions
- Pop the ricotta, spinach, garlic, salt, pepper and Parmesan into a food processor and blitz until smooth.
- Grab an ovenproof pan and pour in the passata, garlic, red wine, salt and pepper. Whisk it all together.
- Place the chicken breasts in the sauce upside down, then spoon the ricotta filling over the top of each piece.
- Bake at 220°C for 20 minutes.
- Sprinkle over the pizza cheese, then pop it back in the oven for another 10 minutes until golden and bubbly.
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 20
- Category: Recipes
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: Australian
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely! You can assemble the entire dish (without the cheese topping), cover it, and keep it in the fridge for up to 24 hours. When ready to bake, just pop it in the oven and add the cheese in the last 10 minutes as per the recipe.
Yes! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs are a great option. They’re juicier and a bit more forgiving if you’re prone to overcooking chicken breast. Just increase the cooking time slightly—check they’re fully cooked through before serving.
You can! Look for a dairy-free ricotta substitute (made from almonds or tofu) and use a plant-based cheese for the topping. The taste will be a bit different, but still totally delicious and creamy.