Creamy Parmesan Baked Caesar Chicken (Printable)
Tender chicken baked in rich Caesar-parmesan sauce with melted mozzarella. Ready in 40 minutes.
# What You'll Need:
→ Chicken
01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs)
02 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
03 - 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
→ Sauce
04 - 3/4 cup creamy Caesar dressing
05 - 1/2 cup sour cream
06 - 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
07 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
→ Topping
08 - 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
09 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
10 - 1/2 teaspoon dried Italian herbs (optional)
11 - Fresh chopped parsley, for garnish (optional)
# Directions:
01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or a thin layer of oil.
02 - Pat chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Season both sides generously with salt and pepper. Arrange chicken in a single layer in the prepared baking dish, ensuring pieces do not overlap.
03 - In a medium bowl, combine Caesar dressing, sour cream, 1/3 cup Parmesan cheese, and garlic powder. Whisk until smooth and fully incorporated.
04 - Spread the Caesar sauce mixture evenly over each chicken breast, covering the top surface completely.
05 - Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese and 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese evenly over the sauced chicken. If desired, add dried Italian herbs for additional flavor.
06 - Bake for 25-30 minutes until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and the cheese topping is golden brown and bubbly. Avoid overbaking to prevent dry chicken.
07 - Remove from oven and let chicken rest for 5 minutes to allow juices to redistribute. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley if desired, then serve warm.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The sauce creates this incredible velvety blanket that keeps the chicken impossibly moist
- It comes together in literally ten minutes of hands on time
- That golden bubbly top makes everyone think you worked much harder than you actually did
02 -
- Using a meat thermometer is the only way to guarantee perfectly cooked chicken without cutting into it
- The sauce will thin out slightly as it bakes but that is completely normal and delicious
03 -
- Greek yogurt swaps perfectly for sour cream if you want to lighten it up a bit
- Room temperature chicken cooks more evenly so try to remember to take it out thirty minutes early