Easy Baked Chicken Parmesan Casserole
Easy dump and bake Chicken Parmesan Casserole is the ultimate comfort food. After making this many times, I’ve discovered the trick to keeping it from drying out. Jump to the recipe card or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Mexican Street Corn Coleslaw and Spinach Strawberry Salad with Pecans.
Why This Easy Baked Chicken Parmesan Casserole Is Pure Comfort
- Perfectly crispy golden cheese top
- Creamy, flavorful tomato sauce
- Easy dump and bake method
- Better than takeout taste
What You'll Need for Easy Baked Chicken Parmesan Casserole
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- marinara sauce
- mozzarella cheese
- parmesan cheese
- breadcrumbs
- garlic powder
- italian seasoning
- salt
- pepper
- Optional: fresh basil
- Optional: red pepper flakes
đź“ť Ingredient Notes
- chicken breasts: You can also use chicken thighs or even ground chicken.
đź›’ Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Food processor — Saves time and effort in preparing the chicken mixture → See on Amazon
- Baking dish — Ensures even cooking and perfect presentation → See on Amazon
How to Make Easy Baked Chicken Parmesan Casserole
- Step 1: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Step 2: In a large bowl, combine chicken, marinara, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
- Step 3: Transfer the chicken mixture to a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Spread evenly.
- Step 4: In another bowl, mix together mozzarella, parmesan, and breadcrumbs. Sprinkle evenly over the chicken mixture.
- Step 5: Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is golden and bubbly, and the chicken is cooked through.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Easy Baked Chicken Parmesan Casserole
- Common mistake and fix: Avoid overcooking the chicken by using a meat thermometer. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C).
- Pro tip: For a crispier top, broil the casserole for 1-2 minutes after baking, keeping a close eye to prevent burning.
- Pro tip: Make it a complete meal by serving with a side of Mexican Street Corn Coleslaw (https://keto.cafof.com/mexican-street-corn-coleslaw/).
Storing & Reheating Easy Baked Chicken Parmesan Casserole
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Make-ahead tip: You can assemble the casserole up to 1 day ahead. Store in the fridge until ready to bake.
Freezing Easy Baked Chicken Parmesan Casserole
Freeze individual portions for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 15-20 minutes, or until heated through. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes, or until heated through. The texture may be slightly different from freshly baked.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicy kick, add some red pepper flakes to the chicken mixture.
- Best substitution: Use shredded cheddar cheese instead of mozzarella for a different flavor profile.
- Make-ahead: This casserole is perfect for meal prepping. Assemble and freeze before cooking, then bake from frozen, adding an extra 10-15 minutes to the cooking time.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or halved to serve more or fewer people.
- Troubleshooting: If the cheese is browning too quickly, cover the dish loosely with aluminum foil to prevent burning.
Want to level up this recipe?
Meat thermometer — Ensures perfectly cooked, safe chicken every time → Check price on Amazon
Easy Baked Chicken Parmesan Casserole
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- marinara sauce
- mozzarella cheese
- parmesan cheese
- breadcrumbs
Seasonings
- garlic powder
- italian seasoning
- salt
- pepper
Optional Toppings
- fresh basil
- red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Step 2: In a large bowl, combine chicken, marinara, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
- Step 3: Transfer the chicken mixture to a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Spread evenly.
- Step 4: In another bowl, mix together mozzarella, parmesan, and breadcrumbs. Sprinkle evenly over the chicken mixture.
- Step 5: Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is golden and bubbly, and the chicken is cooked through.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicy kick, add some red pepper flakes to the chicken mixture.
- Best substitution: Use shredded cheddar cheese instead of mozzarella for a different flavor profile.
- Make-ahead: This casserole is perfect for meal prepping. Assemble and freeze before cooking, then bake from frozen, adding an extra 10-15 minutes to the cooking time.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or halved to serve more or fewer people.
- Troubleshooting: If the cheese is browning too quickly, cover the dish loosely with aluminum foil to prevent burning.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Freezer: Freeze individual portions for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 15-20 minutes, or until heated through.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes, or until heated through. The texture may be slightly different from freshly baked.
- Make ahead: You can assemble the casserole up to 1 day ahead. Store in the fridge until ready to bake.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 450
- Protein: 35g
- Fat: 20g
- Carbs: 25g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 900mg
- Cholesterol: 100mg
- Sat. Fat: 10g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Easy Baked Chicken Parmesan Casserole FAQs
Yes, you can assemble the casserole up to 1 day ahead. Store in the fridge until ready to bake.
Overcooking the chicken is the most common reason for a dry casserole. Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) but not much more.
While you can cook the chicken in the air fryer, the casserole part is best cooked in the oven to ensure even heating and melting of the cheese.
Yes, you can freeze individual portions for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheat in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 15-20 minutes, or until heated through. The texture may be slightly different from freshly baked.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Easy Baked Chicken Parmesan Casserole and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
