Craving a satisfying dinner that brings the whole family to the table? We all know how hard it can be to get a home-cooked meal on the table after a long day at work, especially one that everyone will actually eat. That’s where this baked chicken parmesan casserole comes to the rescue – it takes the classic Italian favorite we all love and turns it into an easy, family-style dish that’s perfect for busy weeknights.
This no-fuss casserole combines tender chicken, melted cheese, and savory marinara sauce into one simple dish that you can prep ahead and pop in the oven when you need it. Plus, it’s a great way to enjoy all the flavors of traditional chicken parmesan without having to bread and fry each piece of chicken individually.
Ingredient Substitutions
For the chicken breast halves, boneless, skinless chicken thighs can be used as a juicier, more flavorful alternative. Adjust cooking time slightly as thighs may take longer to cook through. Vegetarians can substitute firm tofu slices or eggplant cutlets, though cooking times and methods will need to be adjusted accordingly. The marinara sauce can be replaced with crushed tomatoes seasoned with Italian herbs for a fresher taste and to control sodium content. Add 1-2 teaspoons of Italian seasoning blend to the crushed tomatoes. For a dairy-free option, replace the mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses with nutritional yeast or cashew-based vegan cheese alternatives. Use about 3/4 the amount of nutritional yeast compared to the original cheese quantities, as it has a stronger flavor. The garlic-flavored croutons can be substituted with a mixture of panko breadcrumbs and garlic powder for a crunchier topping, or use gluten-free breadcrumbs for those with gluten sensitivities.
| Preparation Time | 15-20 minutes |
| Cooking Time | 35-60 minutes |
| Total Time | 50-80 minutes |
| Level of Difficulty | Medium |
Estimated Nutrition
Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):
- Calories: 1500-1700
- Protein: 130-150 g
- Fat: 90-100 g
- Carbohydrates: 80-90 g
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, adjust to taste
- 6 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves
- 2 cups ready-to-use marinara sauce
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
- 1 (8-ounce) package shredded mozzarella cheese, split for use
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese, split for use
- 1 (5-ounce) package garlic-flavored croutons
Step 1: Prepare the Baking Dish
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Coat the bottom of a 9×13-inch casserole dish with olive oil.
Sprinkle garlic and red pepper flakes evenly across the bottom of the dish to add flavor and aroma to your baked dish.
Step 2: Arrange the Chicken and Sauce
Arrange the chicken breasts in a single layer at the bottom of the prepared casserole dish.
Pour marinara sauce evenly over the chicken.
Sprinkle basil over the marinara sauce to infuse the dish with a fresh herbal taste.
Step 3: Layer the Cheese and Croutons
Top the marinara-covered chicken with 1/2 of the mozzarella cheese, followed by 1/2 of the Parmesan cheese.
Add croutons over the cheeses to provide a delightful crunch and texture to the dish.
Step 4: Complete the Cheese Topping
Add the remaining mozzarella cheese and Parmesan cheese to the top of the layered dish.
This will create a deliciously cheesy crust as it bakes.
Step 5: Bake the Dish
Bake the prepared dish in your preheated oven until the cheese and croutons are golden brown and the chicken is tender and cooked through.
This will take about 35 minutes to an hour, depending on the thickness and shape of your chicken breasts.
To ensure the chicken is cooked thoroughly, check that an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of a chicken breast reads at least 160 degrees F (70 degrees C).
Step 6: Serve and Savor
Once done, remove the dish from the oven.
Serve the bubbly, cheesy chicken hot for a comforting and flavorful meal.
Enjoy with your family or guests!
