Easy Cheesy Chicken Parmesan Casserole
A quick and comforting casserole featuring tender chicken breasts, marinara sauce, and a blend of mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses topped with crispy breadcrumbs. Perfect for busy weeknights and family dinners.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients
Scale
- 3–4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 pounds or 680 grams)
- 2 cups (475 ml) marinara sauce
- 2 cups (200 grams) shredded full-fat mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup (100 grams) grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 cup (100 grams) panko breadcrumbs
- Fresh basil or parsley (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Pat the chicken breasts dry and season both sides with salt, pepper, and half the Italian seasoning.
- Heat olive oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet. When hot, add the chicken and sear until golden brown on each side, about 4-5 minutes per side. Remove from pan and set aside.
- Reduce heat to medium and add minced garlic to the pan. Cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Spread a thin layer of marinara sauce evenly on the bottom of an oven-safe baking dish (about 9×13 inches).
- Slice the seared chicken breasts into thick strips or bite-sized pieces and arrange them over the sauce.
- Pour the remaining marinara sauce over the chicken.
- Sprinkle half the mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses over the chicken and sauce.
- Mix the remaining Italian seasoning into the breadcrumbs and sprinkle evenly over the cheese layer.
- Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and golden, and the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving.
- Garnish with chopped fresh basil or parsley if desired.
Notes
If breadcrumbs brown too quickly, tent the casserole loosely with aluminum foil halfway through baking. Use a meat thermometer to avoid overcooking chicken. For gluten-free, substitute breadcrumbs with crushed gluten-free crackers or almond meal. For lower fat, use part-skim mozzarella. Pre-cooked rotisserie chicken can be used to save time.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1/6th of the c
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 6
- Sodium: 600
- Fat: 20
- Saturated Fat: 8
- Carbohydrates: 15
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 30
Keywords: chicken parmesan casserole, cheesy chicken casserole, easy chicken dinner, family dinner recipe, weeknight casserole, comfort food, baked chicken parmesan