Italian Smothered Chicken

Ingredients:

½ teaspoon dried oregano
¼ teaspoon garlic powder
¼ teaspoon salt, divided
¼ teaspoon pepper, divided
4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves (4 ounces each)
2 teaspoons canola oil
1 cup part skim ricotta cheese
1 cup crushed tomatoes
4 slices part skim mozzarella cheese

Directions:

1. In a small bowl, combine the oregano, garlic powder, ⅛ teaspoon salt, and ⅛ teaspoon pepper; rub over chicken.

2. In a large nonstick skillet coated with cooking spray, brown chicken in oil for 3 to 4 minutes on each side.

3. Transfer chicken to an 11 in. x 7 in. baking dish coated with cooking spray.

4. Combine ricotta cheese and remaining salt and pepper; spoon over chicken. Top with tomatoes.

5. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 15 minutes. Top with cheese. Bake 5 to 10 minutes longer or a meat thermometer reads 170°.

Yield: 4 servings

Nutrition Information:

1 serving equals:

252 calories
11 g fat (5 g saturated fat)
85 mg cholesterol
341 mg sodium
6 g carbohydrate
1 g fiber
32 g protein
Diabetic Exchanges: 4 lean meat, ½ fat