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Chicken Parmesan Casserole

Chicken Parmesan Casserole
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Chicken Parmesan Casserole is a comforting and flavorful Italian-inspired baked dish featuring thinly sliced chicken breasts layered with marinara sauce, melted mozzarella and parmesan cheeses, and a crispy breadcrumb topping. Easy to prepare and perfect for family dinners or entertaining, it combines tender, juicy chicken with gooey cheese and tangy tomato sauce baked to golden perfection.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Marinara

  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, thinly sliced
  • 2 cups marinara sauce (homemade or your favorite jarred sauce)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil (for sautéing chicken)

Cheeses

  • 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Seasonings and Toppings

  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (basil, oregano, thyme blend)
  • ½ cup bread crumbs
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil (to drizzle over breadcrumbs)
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Prepare the chicken: Slice boneless, skinless chicken breasts into thin cutlets for even cooking. Season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Lightly sauté in olive oil with minced garlic until just cooked through to keep chicken tender and flavorful.
  2. Assemble your layers: Grease a baking dish and spread a thin layer of marinara sauce on the bottom. Arrange a layer of sautéed chicken cutlets over the sauce, then sprinkle generously with shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese. Repeat layering (sauce, chicken, cheeses) until all ingredients are used, finishing with a layer of bread crumbs on top. Drizzle olive oil over the breadcrumbs to achieve a golden, crispy crust.
  3. Bake until bubbly and golden: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the assembled casserole uncovered for 25-30 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and the breadcrumb topping is crunchy and golden brown.
  4. Let it rest before serving: Remove from the oven and allow the casserole to rest for 5-10 minutes. This helps the layers settle and makes it easier to slice and serve without falling apart.

Notes

  • Use a meat mallet to pound chicken breasts evenly thin for faster and uniform cooking.
  • Choose a high-quality marinara sauce with herbs and no added sugar for best flavor.
  • Distribute cheese and sauce evenly during layering to ensure balanced flavor and texture.
  • Allow casserole to rest before serving to firm up and improve slicing.
  • For convenience, assemble ahead of time and refrigerate until ready to bake.

Nutrition

Keywords: Chicken Parmesan, Casserole, Italian, Baked Chicken, Comfort Food, Family Dinner, Easy Recipe, Gluten Free option

Find it online: https://dishesbylina.com/chicken-parmesan-casserole/