Quick Cottage Cheese BBQ Chicken
A high-protein, 25-minute dinner featuring tender chicken topped with creamy cottage cheese, tangy ranch, BBQ sauce, and melted cheddar. Perfect for busy weeknights with no marinating required.
Ingredients
- 1 chicken filet boneless skinless preferred
- ½ cup low-fat cottage cheese 1% or 2% fat works best
- 2 tbsp ranch dressing regular or light version
- 2 tbsp shredded cheddar cheese reduced-fat recommended
- 2 tbsp BBQ sauce your favorite brand
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Cooking spray or oil for pan
Instructions
- Pat chicken filet dry with paper towels and season both sides with salt and pepper.
- Heat a non-stick skillet over medium-high heat with cooking spray or oil. Place chicken in pan and cook undisturbed for 6 minutes.
- Flip chicken and cook for another 5-6 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F. Remove from heat and let rest for 3 minutes.
- While chicken rests, mix cottage cheese and ranch dressing in a small bowl until well combined.
- Slice rested chicken into strips or bite-sized pieces and transfer to an oven-safe dish.
- Spread cottage cheese mixture evenly over chicken pieces.
- Drizzle BBQ sauce over everything and spread with the back of a spoon.
- Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese on top.
- Broil for 2-3 minutes, watching closely, until cheese melts and gets slightly bubbly.
- Serve immediately with your choice of sides.
Notes
Let chicken come to room temperature for 10 minutes before cooking for even cooking.
Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches 165°F internal temperature.
If no broiler available, bake at 400°F for 5 minutes instead.
Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat gently to prevent drying.
Do not freeze - cottage cheese texture becomes grainy after freezing.
Can substitute Greek yogurt for cottage cheese, mozzarella for cheddar, or use chicken thighs instead of breast.
Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches 165°F internal temperature.
If no broiler available, bake at 400°F for 5 minutes instead.
Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat gently to prevent drying.
Do not freeze - cottage cheese texture becomes grainy after freezing.
Can substitute Greek yogurt for cottage cheese, mozzarella for cheddar, or use chicken thighs instead of breast.
