This article walks you through a comforting one‑pan chicken recipe, featuring a creamy cottage cheese sauce that’s healthy and indulgent. We’ll explore why it’s so satisfying, prep tricks, cooking steps, serving ideas, FAQs, and a detailed recipe card. Ready to simplify dinner without sacrificing flavor?
Table of Contents
Why I Love This One‑Pan Cozy Dinner
One cold evening, I wanted dinner fast but comforting. I grabbed chicken breasts, cottage cheese, and garlic, tossed them into one pan, and voilà—dinner was done in under 30 minutes. The creamy cottage cheese sauce melted into the chicken and veggies, and the house filled with warmth. That moment when I took the first bite, I thought, “I hit dinner gold.” Simple, clean, creamy, and just plain delicious.
I often make the Creamy Cottage Cheese Alfredo – Guilt‑Free, so adapting a similar flavor into a cozy one‑pan meal felt like a natural move. It delivers that creamy good feeling without all the heavy cream, making dinner feel both indulgent and mindful.
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One‑Pan Chicken with Creamy Cottage Cheese Sauce
- Total Time: 30 mins
- Yield: 4 servings
Description
A one‑pan dinner featuring juicy chicken and vegetables smothered in a creamy cottage cheese sauce.
Ingredients
2 chicken breasts (or thighs), halved
1 cup bell pepper, sliced
1 cup mushrooms, sliced
2 cups spinach
1 cup full‑fat cottage cheese
3 cloves roasted garlic
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/4 cup chicken broth
Salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
1. Season and sear chicken in olive oil 5‑6 min per side, remove
2. Sauté pepper and mushrooms 3‑4 min
3. Add spinach and wilt
4. Blend cottage cheese, garlic, lemon juice, broth until smooth
5. Return chicken to pan and pour sauce over
6. Cover and simmer 6‑8 min until chicken is cooked through
Notes
Sauce stays creamy after storing
Use low‑fat cottage cheese plus fat if preferred
Make sauce ahead for faster prep
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 20 mins
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Sauté, Simmer
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken + sauce
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 40g
- Cholesterol: 105mg
Keywords: one‑pan chicken cottage cheese sauce
Ingredients & Prep Guide
Chicken & Veggie Pairing
Use boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs. I cut them in half for even cooking. I like adding bell peppers, spinach, or mushrooms—veggies that have texture and soak up the sauce.
Crafting the Cottage Cheese Sauce
Blend full‑fat cottage cheese, roasted garlic, lemon juice and a splash of broth. That gives thickness without heaviness. Season with salt, pepper, and dried parsley.
One‑Pan Prep Tricks
Pat chicken dry and season it first. Prep veggies and sauce before you start cooking. That way, everything moves smoothly in one shot.
Cooking It in One Pan
Sear & Sauté in Harmony
Heat olive oil in a large skillet. Sear chicken 5–6 minutes per side until golden. Remove and tent with foil. In same pan, sauté veggies for 3–4 minutes until just tender.
Add Sauce & Finish
Return chicken to the pan, pour sauce over everything, reduce heat to medium‑low, cover, and simmer 6–8 minutes until chicken hits 74 °C (165 °F) internal temp. The sauce will bubble and thicken.
Serving & Storage Suggestions
Best Side Options
This one‑pan chicken is perfect with rice, pasta, or mashed potatoes. It also works great tucked into a wrap with fresh greens. If you want sides with brightness, try our Vegan Oat Cake with Berries or finish with Mini Lemon Loaf Cakes with Glaze.
Leftovers & Reheat Tips
Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on stove or microwave in low heat, adding broth to loosen the sauce as needed.
FAQ
Can I use low‑fat cottage cheese?
You can, but the sauce won’t be as rich. To make up for it, add a teaspoon of olive oil or butter while blending.
How do I keep the sauce from separating?
Make sure you blend the cottage cheese sauce until totally smooth, and simmer gently—avoid boiling once it’s in the pan.
Is this gluten‑free?
Yes, the recipe is naturally gluten‑free, so it’s safe for most gluten‑sensitive folks.
Conclusion
This one‑pan chicken with creamy cottage cheese sauce checks all the boxes: easy, healthy, comforting, and packed with flavor. It’s a meal you’ll want to come back to again and again. Give it a try tonight—no doubt your kitchen will thank you. And if you’re after more multi‑use comfort, check our cozy Juicy Garlic Butter Chicken Breast – One Pan for a rich, buttery spin.