The Best Parmesan Chicken Bake

This Parmesan-style chicken bake is done casserole style (so, no breading or frying!), but still offers up that irresistible combination of tender chicken, crunchy-cheesy coating, and flavorful sauce.

• Preparation Time: 15 mins
• Cooking Time: 35 mins
• Total Time: 50 mins
• Calories: 477 Calories

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• ¼ cup chopped fresh basil
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
• 6 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
• 1 (8 ounce) package shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
• 2 cloves garlic, crushed and finely chopped
• ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, or to taste
• 2 cups prepared marinara sauce
• 1 (5 ounce) package garlic croutons

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

Step 2

Coat the bottom of a 9x13-inch casserole dish with olive oil, and sprinkle with garlic and red pepper flakes.

Step 3

Arrange chicken breasts in the bottom of the dish, and pour marinara sauce over chicken. Sprinkle basil over marinara sauce, and top with 1/2 of the mozzarella cheese, followed by 1/2 of the Parmesan cheese. Sprinkle on croutons, then top with remaining mozzarella cheese and remaining Parmesan cheese.

Step 4

Bake in the preheated oven until cheese and croutons are golden brown and the chicken is no longer pink inside, about 35 minutes to an hour, depending on the shape and thickness of your chicken breasts. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of a chicken breast should read at least 160 degrees F (70 degrees C).