Description
Indulge in a comforting bowl of Chicken Parmesan Casserole, where tender chicken meets rich marinara sauce and gooey melted cheese, all topped with a crispy golden-brown panko crust. Perfect for cozy family dinners or gatherings, this dish is not only easy to prepare but also customizable to suit your taste. Get ready for an explosion of flavor that will have everyone asking for seconds!
Ingredients
Scale
- 3–4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs)
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 2 cups shredded whole milk mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tsp Italian seasoning
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Optional: 2 cups cooked short pasta (e.g., penne)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a large baking dish with nonstick spray or olive oil.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, heat 2 tbsp olive oil. Cook diced chicken until no longer pink, about 7-10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
- Pour marinara sauce over cooked chicken; stir well and simmer for about 5 minutes.
- Layer half the chicken mixture in the greased baking dish. Top with half the mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. If using pasta, add it now.
- In a bowl, mix panko breadcrumbs with olive oil, Italian seasoning, salt, and remaining cheese for the topping.
- Spread the breadcrumb mixture evenly over the layered ingredients and bake for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown and bubbly.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (250g)
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 840mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Keywords: Feel free to substitute chicken with turkey or add spinach for extra nutrition. For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free pasta and breadcrumbs. Enhance flavors by adding fresh herbs like basil or oregano.