Chicken Parmesan Marinara Casserole (Printer-friendly)
Tender chicken baked with marinara sauce, mozzarella, and a crunchy Parmesan breadcrumb topping.
# What You’ll Need:
→ Chicken
01 - 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
02 - 1/2 tsp salt
03 - 1/4 tsp black pepper
→ Sauce & Cheese
04 - 2 cups marinara sauce
05 - 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
06 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
→ Breading Topping
07 - 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
08 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
09 - 1/2 tsp dried Italian herbs
→ Garnish
10 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (optional)
# How to Make It:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
02 - Season chicken pieces with salt and black pepper. Arrange them evenly in the baking dish.
03 - Pour marinara sauce evenly over the chicken.
04 - Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese over the sauce, then top with grated Parmesan cheese.
05 - In a bowl, combine panko breadcrumbs, melted butter, and dried Italian herbs. Mix until evenly coated.
06 - Spread the breadcrumb mixture evenly over the cheese layer.
07 - Bake uncovered for 30 to 35 minutes until chicken is cooked through and topping is golden brown.
08 - Let rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- It comes together in 15 minutes of prep, then the oven does the heavy lifting while you relax.
- Crispy, buttery breadcrumb topping meets melty mozzarella and tender chicken in every bite.
- One dish, minimal cleanup, and enough leftovers that reheated slices taste even better the next day.
02 -
- Don't skip the 5-minute rest—it's the difference between a sloppy, sliding-apart scoop and one that holds together on the plate.
- If your breadcrumb topping isn't browning by minute 30, turn up the oven to 425°F for the last few minutes, or move the rack closer to the top element to encourage crisping.
03 -
- Reserve a handful of the breadcrumb mixture before baking and sprinkle it over hot leftovers to restore crispness—it's like a secret second topping.
- Butter your measuring cup before scooping marinara sauce so it slides out cleanly without sticking or waste.