Chicken Parmesan Casserole
User Reviews
4.6
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Prep Time
10 mins
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Cook Time
20 mins
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Total Time
30 mins
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Servings
10 servings
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Calories
428 kcal
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
Italian
Chicken Parmesan Casserole
Description
This casserole begins by cooking pasta according to package instructions, then mixing it with marinara sauce. Chicken breast pieces are sauteed with olive oil, salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and garlic until fully cooked and tender. The cooked chicken is combined with the sauced pasta and placed into a greased casserole dish. Mozzarella cheese is spread on top, and the dish is baked to melt the cheese and heat through.
While the cheese melts, a topping of melted butter mixed with panko breadcrumbs and freshly grated Parmesan cheese is prepared and spread over the casserole. Baking continues until this topping turns light golden brown, adding a crunchy texture contrasting with the gooey cheese and saucy pasta beneath. This layering creates a balanced dish with moist pasta, flavorful chicken, and varied textures.
Optional fresh basil garnish adds a hint of herbal brightness. This casserole uses panko breadcrumbs specifically to achieve crunchiness not provided by regular breadcrumbs. It can be served hot as a main dish for a filling meal.
Leftovers store well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days or freeze for up to four months. Note that the breadcrumb topping may lose some crispness upon reheating.
Ingredients
- 1 pound fusilli pasta cooked according to package directions and drained (rotini, bowtie, penne, ziti, small shells, or a small-shaped pasta may be substituted
- 25 ounces marinara sauce
- 3 to 4 tablespoons olive oil
- 1.25 to 1.50 pounds chicken breast diced into bite-sized pieces, boneless, skinless
- salt to taste, Kosher salt and freshly ground
- black pepper to taste, Kosher salt and freshly ground
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning or to taste
- 3 to 4 cloves garlic finely minced or pressed
- 2 mozzarella cheese heaping cups, shredded
- 3 tablespoons butter melted, unsalted
- ½ cup panko breadcrumbs do not use regular breadcrumbs because they won't get crunchy
- ⅓ cup Parmesan Cheese freshly grated
- basil optional for garnishing, fresh
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400F, spray a 3 1/2 quart casserole dish (about 9x13-inches) with cooking spray, cook pasta according to package directions, drain, return to pot, and toss with the marinara sauce; set aside.
- While pasta is cooking, to a large skillet add the oil, chicken, generously season with salt and pepper, Italian seasoning (I call for 1 tablespoon not teaspoon because this is ultimately flavoring a big recipe but reduce to taste if desired), and cook over medium-high heat for about 5 minutes, or until chicken is done; stir and flip intermittently to ensure even cooking.
- Add the garlic and cook for about 1 minute, or until fragrant; stir nearly constantly.
- Add the chicken and any cooking juices to the large pot with the pasta and marinara sauce and stir to combine.
- Turn mixture out into prepared casserole dish, evenly sprinkle with the mozzarella, and bake for about 10 minutes, or until cheese is just beginning to turn light golden brown.
- While cheese is melting, to a small microwave-safe bowl add the butter, and heat on high power for about 1 minute to melt.
- Add the panko* and stir to combine; set aside.
- After 10 minutes, or cheese is light golden brown, remove casserole dish from the oven, evenly sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and the buttery-panko breadcrumb mixture.
- Bake for another 5 to 8 minutes, or until cheese and breadcrumbs are as golden browned as desired, optionally garnish with basil, and serve immediately.
Notes
- Substitute pasta shapes like rotini, bowtie, penne, ziti, or small shells as preferred.
- Use panko breadcrumbs to maintain a crunchy topping; regular breadcrumbs will not crisp the same.
- Store leftovers tightly covered in the fridge up to 5 days or freeze up to 4 months; topping texture may soften.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 10servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 428 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1serving | |
| Calories | 428kcal | 21% |
| Carbohydrates | 29g | 10% |
| Protein | 32g | 64% |
| Fat | 19g | 29% |
| Saturated Fat | 7g | 35% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 10g | 59% |
| Cholesterol | 89mg | 30% |
| Sodium | 681mg | 28% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 5g | 10% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.6
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