Oh, you guys are going to LOVE this! Sometimes, after a long day, all you want is something that tastes like a warm hug, right? That’s exactly what my Chicken Parm Cottage Bowl delivers. It’s like your favorite cozy chicken parm got a delicious makeover, all nestled down on a fluffy cloud of mashed potatoes. It all started when I was craving that classic Italian-American comfort food but wanted something a little more… well, comforting! So I thought, why not put that amazing chicken parm flavor right on top of creamy mashed potatoes? This Chicken Parm Cottage Bowl is seriously my go-to when I need a little bit of delicious happiness in a bowl. It’s just so satisfying!
Why You’ll Love This Chicken Parm Cottage Bowl
It’s ridiculously comforting – like a warm blanket in a bowl!
Super easy to whip up, even on a busy weeknight.
All your favorite chicken parm flavors with practically zero fuss.
It’s hearty and filling, satisfying those serious comfort food cravings.
The creamy mashed potato base is just heavenly with the saucy chicken.
Makes for a fantastic, fuss-free dinner that everyone will adore.
Gather Your Ingredients for the Chicken Parm Cottage Bowl
Alright, let’s get our shopping list together for this amazing Chicken Parm Cottage Bowl! First up, for that glorious potato base, you’ll want about 2 pounds of good old russet potatoes, all peeled and cut into nice, chunky quarters. Trust me, russets are the way to go for fluffy mashed potatoes. For the chicken part, grab about a pound of boneless, skinless chicken breasts – I like to cut mine into bite-sized pieces before I even start cooking. You’ll also need a jar of your favorite marinara sauce, about a cup should do the trick. And of course, we can’t forget the cheese! You’ll need around half a cup of shredded mozzarella and a nice quarter cup of grated Parmesan cheese. For the mash, have about a quarter cup of milk and 2 tablespoons of butter ready. Oh, and some salt and pepper to taste, plus a tablespoon of olive oil for sautéing the chicken.
If you’re looking for other ways to enjoy potatoes, you should check out my Garlic Herb Potatoes or these amazing Garlic Herb Roasted Potatoes!
Essential Equipment for Your Chicken Parm Cottage Bowl
To make this cozy dinner, you won’t need a whole lot of fancy gadgets. A good-sized pot for boiling your potatoes is a must, and you’ll definitely want a trusty potato masher. For cooking the chicken and getting all those delicious flavors melded together, a sturdy skillet works perfectly. Since we’re broiling at the end, make sure it’s oven-safe, or have a nice baking dish ready! I always keep my oven mitts handy too, because broilers get super hot, super fast. Just simple, everyday stuff you probably already have! If you’re ever looking for other easy weeknight meal ideas, check out my Air Fryer Tacos Extravaganza!
Step-by-Step Guide to Making the Chicken Parm Cottage Bowl
Alright, let’s get this delicious Chicken Parm Cottage Bowl made! It’s actually pretty straightforward, I promise. The key is just doing things in the right order.
Preparing the Creamy Mashed Potato Base
First things first, get those potatoes boiling! Toss your peeled and quartered potatoes into a big pot, cover ’em with cold water, and add a good pinch of salt. Let them simmer away until they’re super tender when you poke them with a fork, usually about 15-20 minutes. Once they’re ready, drain them really well. Then, mash ’em up! I like to use my potato masher, and I don’t go crazy; a little rustic texture is nice. Add your milk, butter, salt, and pepper. Give it a good stir until it’s creamy. Don’t over-mash, or they can get gummy!
Cooking the Chicken and Marinara
Now for the star of the show! Cut your chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces – think bite-sized, not too small! Heat up that tablespoon of olive oil in your skillet over medium-high heat. Once it’s shimmering, carefully add the chicken. You want to get a nice brown sear on all sides, so don’t overcrowd the pan; do it in batches if you need to. Cook until the chicken is totally done. Then, pour in that lovely marinara sauce, give it a stir, and let it simmer for about 5 minutes. This just lets all those flavors get cozy together. If you love chicken parm, you’ve gotta try my High-Protein Chicken Parm recipe too! And for another creamy, cheesy delight, check out my Creamy Chicken Parmesan Soup!
Assembling and Broiling the Chicken Parm Cottage Bowl
Okay, we’re almost there! Grab your bowls – oven-safe ones are best here! Spoon a generous layer of those creamy mashed potatoes into the bottom of each bowl. Next, ladle that delicious chicken and marinara mixture right on top. Now for the best part: sprinkle on that shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese. Put your bowls on a baking sheet (this makes them easier to handle) and pop them under a preheated broiler. Watch them closely! You only need about 2-3 minutes, or until the cheese is all melted, bubbly, and maybe even a little golden brown. Careful, it happens fast!
Tips for the Perfect Chicken Parm Cottage Bowl
Okay, want to make this Chicken Parm Cottage Bowl absolutely perfect every single time? I’ve got a few little tricks up my sleeve. First off, don’t skimp on the potato quality! Russets are really the best for that fluffy, creamy mash. Another thing, I sometimes like to toss in a little extra sprinkle of Italian seasoning into the marinara with the chicken – it just amps up those Italian flavors. If you want to get fancy, you could even swap out half the mozzarella for provolone for a little tang! And for my personal touch? I sometimes bake the potatoes a tiny bit longer to get them extra fluffy, and I always sprinkle a little extra Parmesan right on top of that melted mozzarella. Thinking about other cheesy, comforting dishes? You’ll love my Pizza Cottage Cheese Bake and these surprising Crunchy Cottage Cheese Chips!
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for Your Chicken Parm Cottage Bowl
Let’s talk ingredients for our Chicken Parm Cottage Bowl, because the little things really make a difference! For the potatoes, I always reach for Russets. They have a nice starchy texture that makes for the fluffiest mash, way better than waxy potatoes. If you can’t find Russets, Yukon Golds are a decent second choice, but you might need to adjust the milk a bit. When it comes to marinara, use what you love! A good quality jarred sauce is totally fine, or if you’re feeling ambitious, homemade is even better. For the cheese, feel free to play around! Provolone is a fantastic addition alongside or instead of the mozzarella for a sharper flavor. And if you’re keeping it dairy-free, there are some really decent dairy-free mozzarella shreds out there now. For gluten-free needs, there’s nothing to worry about here since we’re not using any grains on the chicken!
If you love creative uses for cottage cheese, you have to see these Spinach Cottage Cheese Flagels!
Serving and Storing Your Chicken Parm Cottage Bowl
This Chicken Parm Cottage Bowl is best served piping hot, right after it comes out of the broiler when that cheese is all melty and gooey! It’s pretty much a meal in itself, but if you want a little something extra, a simple side salad with a light vinaigrette is lovely. For storing leftovers, just pop them into an airtight container in the fridge. They’ll keep well for about 2-3 days. To reheat, I usually pop them back into a toaster oven or a regular oven at a medium temperature (around 350°F or 175°C) until everything is heated through and the cheese is looking happy again. Microwaving works too, but the topping might not get as crisp. And hey, if you’re looking for other easy skillet dinners, you should totally check out my Ground Beef Zucchini Skillet Dinner!
Frequently Asked Questions about the Chicken Parm Cottage Bowl
Got questions about this cozy Chicken Parm Cottage Bowl? I’ve got you covered!
Can I make this ahead of time?
You can definitely prep parts ahead! Mash your potatoes and cook the chicken and marinara sauce earlier in the day. Store them separately in the fridge. Then, just assemble and broil when you’re ready to eat. It makes weeknight dinners so much faster! If you love chicken parm, you should also check out my Chicken Parmesan Zucchini Boats for another easy meal!
What are some healthy substitutions?
For a lighter touch, try using lean ground turkey or even cannellini beans mixed with marinara instead of chicken. You could also add lots of extra veggies to the mash, like finely chopped zucchini or cauliflower, to boost the nutrition. And, of course, using a low-fat mozzarella works too!
Can I use a different type of potato?
While Russets are my favorite for fluffy mash, Yukon Golds can also work. They tend to be a bit creamier but may need a little less milk. Avoid starchy or watery potatoes, as they won’t give you that perfect creamy texture. And if you’re really pressed for time, even some good quality instant mashed potatoes could be a quick fix in a pinch!
How do I prevent the cheese from burning under the broiler?
Keep a super close eye on it! Broilers are intense. If you notice the edges browning too quickly, you can lower the oven rack by one level. I usually just broil for 2-3 minutes and it’s perfect. You can also loosely tent it with foil if the cheese is melting but not browning as fast as you’d like.
Nutritional Estimate for the Chicken Parm Cottage Bowl
Just a heads-up, this is a ballpark estimate because, you know, home cooking can vary! But a typical serving of this amazing Chicken Parm Cottage Bowl usually comes in around 550 calories. You’re looking at roughly 25g of fat, 10g of which is saturated, about 45g of carbs, and a solid 35g of protein. It’s a really satisfying meal! For more ideas on high-protein dishes, check out my high-protein meals collection, and if you’re watching your diet, my diet recipes might be just what you need!
Share Your Chicken Parm Cottage Bowl Creations!
Okay, now that you’ve made your awesome Chicken Parm Cottage Bowl, I’d absolutely LOVE to hear about it! Did you try any fun additions? Did your family rave about it? Drop a comment below and tell me all your delicious details! And if you snap any photos, please tag me on social media – seeing your creations makes my day! You can also always reach out if you have questions or just want to share your cooking wins via my contact page. Happy cooking!
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Chicken Parm Cottage Bowl
- Total Time: 50 min
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A comforting bowl featuring chicken parmesan flavors with a mashed potato base.
Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 lbs potatoes, peeled and quartered
- 1/4 cup milk
- 2 tbsp butter
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Boil potatoes until tender, about 15-20 minutes. Drain.
- Mash potatoes with milk, butter, salt, and pepper until smooth. Set aside.
- Cut chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook until browned and cooked through.
- Stir in marinara sauce and simmer for 5 minutes.
- Spoon mashed potatoes into bowls.
- Top with chicken and marinara mixture.
- Sprinkle with mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses.
- Broil for 2-3 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
Notes
- For a crispier topping, broil for an additional minute.
- You can add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the marinara for a little heat.
- Prep Time: 20 min
- Cook Time: 30 min
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
Keywords: chicken parm, cottage bowl, mashed potato bowl, italian chicken, comfort food