Easy Cheesy Chicken Parmesan Casserole
A quick and comforting casserole featuring tender chicken breasts layered with marinara sauce and a blend of mozzarella and parmesan cheeses, perfect for 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
- 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, pounded to even thickness
- 2 cups marinara sauce (recommended: Rao’s or homemade)
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (part-skim or whole milk)
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese (freshly grated)
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (blend of dried basil, oregano, thyme, and rosemary)
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- Black pepper (to taste)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- A handful fresh basil or parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
- ½ cup breadcrumbs (optional, for crunchy topping)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with olive oil or non-stick spray.
- Pat chicken breasts dry and season both sides with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning.
- Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken breasts for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown but not fully cooked.
- Remove chicken from heat and let rest for 5 minutes. Slice into ½-inch thick pieces.
- Spread 1 cup marinara sauce evenly on the bottom of the baking dish.
- Arrange half of the sliced chicken over the sauce. Sprinkle half the mozzarella and parmesan cheeses on top.
- Spoon remaining marinara sauce over the cheese and chicken, then layer the remaining chicken slices.
- Top with the rest of the mozzarella and parmesan cheeses.
- If desired, sprinkle ½ cup breadcrumbs over the cheese layer and drizzle a teaspoon of olive oil over the breadcrumbs.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes until cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden brown, and chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with fresh chopped basil or parsley.
- Serve warm with your favorite sides or a crisp green salad.
Notes
For gluten-free, substitute breadcrumbs with almond flour or gluten-free panko. For dairy-free, use plant-based mozzarella but keep parmesan if possible. Do not skip searing chicken to keep it juicy. Let casserole rest after baking for easier serving. If sauce is watery, simmer to thicken before layering. Tent with foil if cheese browns too fast.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approxima
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 6
- Sodium: 680
- Fat: 22
- Saturated Fat: 10
- Carbohydrates: 12
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 42
Keywords: chicken parmesan casserole, cheesy chicken casserole, easy family dinner, baked chicken recipe, comfort food, weeknight dinner