Garlic Herb Cottage Cheese Skillet Chicken

This Garlic Cottage Cheese Skillet features tender chicken cutlets or bites pan-seared to golden perfection, then simmered in a creamy, garlic-infused cottage cheese sauce. Blending the cottage cheese creates a silky texture that delivers all the richness of heavy cream with double the protein and far fewer calories!

Key Details

• Prep Time: 10 minutes

• Cook Time: 15 minutes

• Total Time: 25 minutes

• Servings: 4

• Diet: High-Protein, Low-Carb / Keto-Friendly

Ingredients

For the Chicken:

• 1.5 lbs (approx. 680 g) Boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cut into bite-sized cubes or thin cutlets)

• 1 tbsp Olive oil

• 1 tsp Italian seasoning (or dried oregano)

• 1/2 tsp Smoked paprika

• Salt and black pepper to taste

For the Garlic Cottage Cheese Sauce:

• 1 cup Whole-milk or low-fat cottage cheese

• 1/4 cup Low-sodium chicken broth (or milk)

• 1/3 cup Grated Parmesan cheese

• 4 cloves Garlic, minced

• 1 tbsp Unsalted butter

• Fresh parsley or basil (finely chopped, for garnish)

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Blend the Sauce:

   In a high-speed blender or food processor, combine the cottage cheese, chicken broth (or milk), grated Parmesan cheese, paprika, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Blend until completely smooth and velvety. Set aside.

2. Sear the Chicken:

   Pat chicken pieces dry with paper towels. Season evenly with Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook for 5–7 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. Transfer chicken to a plate.

3. Sauté the Garlic:

   Lower skillet heat to medium. Melt the butter in the same pan, stirring in minced garlic. Sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant, scraping up any flavorful browned bits from the pan.

4. Combine and Simmer:

   Reduce heat to low. Pour the blended cottage cheese sauce into the skillet. Stir gently with the garlic butter base for 2 minutes until warm and creamy.

5. Finish and Serve:

   Return cooked chicken to the skillet, spooning sauce over each piece. Simmer gently for another 2–3 minutes until sauce thickens slightly. Remove from heat, garnish with fresh parsley, and serve warm!

Chef’s Tips for Success

• Avoid Curdling: Keep heat low when introducing cottage cheese to the pan. High temperatures can cause dairy protein to separate.

• Blended vs. Unblended: Blending cottage cheese removes all curds for a restaurant-style Alfredo texture. If you prefer texture, you can skip blending and stir cottage cheese straight into the warm pan.

• Vegetable Add-ins: Toss in fresh spinach, roasted cherry tomatoes, or sliced mushrooms during step 3 for extra flavor and nutrients.