Prepare the Cookie Dough:

1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats for easy cleanup.
2. Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
3. Cream the Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
4. Add the Egg and Vanilla: Beat in the egg and vanilla extract, continuing to mix until smooth and well combined.
5. Add the Ricotta and Orange Zest: Stir in the ricotta cheese and orange zest, blending them into the dough. If you like a more pronounced orange flavor, you can add a tablespoon of fresh orange juice here as well.
6. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing just until combined. Be careful not to overmix the dough to ensure the cookies remain tender.
7. Fold in the Chocolate Chips: Gently fold in the chocolate chips, making sure they are evenly distributed throughout the dough.

Shape and Bake the Cookies:

8. Scoop the Dough: Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, drop rounded balls of dough onto the prepared baking sheets. Leave about 2 inches of space between each cookie to allow for spreading.
9. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges of the cookies are golden brown. The centers may still look slightly soft, but they will firm up as they cool.
10. Cool: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.