Easy Baked Chicken Parmesan Recipe for Weeknight Meals
This Baked Chicken Parmesan combines juicy, tender chicken breasts with rich marinara sauce and a topping of mozzarella and Parmesan, all brought together with garlic croutons for a satisfying crunch. A fresh sprinkle of basil adds brightness, making it an easy, flavorful twist on a classic favorite.
Servings 6
Ingredients
- 6 skinless boneless chicken breast halves
- 2 cups prepared marinara sauce
- ¼ cup chopped fresh basil
- 1 8 ounce package shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese divided
- 1 5 ounce package garlic croutons
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic crushed and finely chopped
- ¼ Tsp crushed red pepper flakes or to taste
Instructions
- Set the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Drizzle olive oil over the bottom of a 9x13-inch casserole dish, then sprinkle with garlic and red pepper flakes.
- Place the chicken breasts in a single layer at the bottom of the dish.
- Pour marinara sauce over the chicken, then sprinkle basil on top. Add half of the mozzarella cheese, followed by half of the Parmesan cheese, and finish with a layer of croutons.
- Add the remaining mozzarella cheese, followed by the rest of the Parmesan cheese on top.
- Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake until the cheese and croutons turn golden brown and the chicken is cooked through, approximately 35 minutes to an hour.
- The exact time will vary based on the size and thickness of your chicken breasts.
- To ensure the chicken is safe to eat, use an instant-read thermometer to check that the thickest part of the breast reaches a minimum temperature of 160°F (70°C).
- Serve hot and enjoy!
Notes
- Feel free to add extra marinara sauce if desired. Please note that imitation Parmesan won’t provide the same flavor; it's best to get some authentic Parmigiano-Reggiano for the best results!