Description
This Chicken Parmesan Casserole is a comforting, easy-to-make baked dish featuring tender chicken breasts seasoned with a savory blend, layered with marinara sauce, melted Italian cheese, and a crunchy crouton topping. Perfect for a weeknight dinner, it combines classic flavors of chicken parmesan in a convenient casserole form.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 chicken breasts
- 1 tablespoon Livia’s Seasoning Salt (a blend of salt, pepper, and garlic)
Topping & Sauce
- 1½ cups marinara sauce
- 1½ cups shredded Italian blend cheese
- 2 cups croutons
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Prepare the chicken: Trim any excess fat from the chicken breasts and slice or pound them to an even thickness to ensure uniform cooking. Arrange them in a single, even layer in a 9×13 inch baking pan.
- Season the chicken: Season both sides of the chicken breasts generously with Livia’s seasoning salt, which includes salt, pepper, and garlic for added flavor.
- Add sauce and toppings: Pour an even layer of marinara sauce over the chicken breasts. Optionally, add extra seasoning if desired. Then evenly sprinkle the shredded Italian blend cheese over the sauce, followed by an even layer of croutons on top to add a crunchy crust.
- Bake the casserole: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 35 to 40 minutes. Check halfway through baking to monitor the croutons; if they begin to brown too quickly, cover the pan loosely with aluminum foil to prevent burning.
- Check doneness: The dish is done when the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). This ensures the chicken is fully cooked and safe to eat.
- Serve: Serve the bake immediately, pairing it with your favorite sides like pasta or fresh basil for garnish to enhance the dish’s flavor.
Notes
- To ensure even cooking, pound chicken breasts to the same thickness before baking.
- If croutons brown too fast, covering the dish with foil halfway through baking helps prevent burning.
- Using a meat thermometer guarantees perfectly cooked chicken at safe temperatures.
- Pair this bake with pasta, steamed vegetables, or a fresh salad for a complete meal.
- For a lower-carb version, substitute croutons with crushed pork rinds or almond flour topping.
Keywords: Chicken Parmesan, Casserole, Baked Chicken, Italian Cheese, Comfort Food