Chicken Parmesan Casserole (Printable)
Comforting layers of chicken, marinara, and melted cheese with a golden crispy topping
# What You'll Need:
→ Chicken
01 - 3 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded or cubed
→ Sauce & Base
02 - 2 cups marinara sauce
03 - 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs
→ Cheese
04 - 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
05 - 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
→ Topping
06 - 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
07 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
08 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
→ For Baking
09 - Cooking spray or oil for greasing
# How to Make It:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or oil.
02 - Spread the cooked chicken evenly in the bottom of the prepared dish. Pour marinara sauce evenly over the chicken and sprinkle with dried Italian herbs if desired.
03 - Layer mozzarella cheese and half of the Parmesan cheese over the sauce mixture.
04 - In a small bowl, combine panko breadcrumbs with melted butter until evenly moistened. Stir in chopped parsley if using.
05 - Sprinkle breadcrumb mixture evenly over the cheese layer. Top with remaining Parmesan cheese. Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes, or until golden and bubbly.
06 - Let the casserole stand for 5-10 minutes before serving to allow layers to set.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- It delivers all the comfort of Chicken Parmesan without the tedious breading and frying steps
- The casserole style means you get cheesy sauce in every single bite
02 -
- Soggy toppings happen when you skip tossing the panko with melted butter first
- The resting period is crucial for clean squares instead of a messy slide onto plates
03 -
- Room temperature ingredients bake more evenly than cold ones straight from the refrigerator
- Broil for the last 2 minutes if you want an extra golden, crunchier top without overbaking