Quick & Delicious Chicken Parmesan Bake
This Quick & Delicious Chicken Parmesan Bake is the perfect way to bring the flavors of classic Italian cuisine to your table with minimal effort. Ideal for busy weeknights, this dish features juicy breaded chicken breasts smothered in rich tomato and basil sauce, topped with gooey mozzarella and sharp parmesan cheese. Serve it over a bed of pasta or with garlic bread for a satisfying family meal that everyone will love. Enjoy a mouthwatering blend of flavors and cheesy goodness in every bite!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
5
Ingredients
Ingredients
Frozen uncooked breaded chicken breasts
6 (Use frozen; no need to thaw.)
Classico tomato and basil pasta sauce
32 ounces (Use your favorite brand or homemade.)
Garlic powder
1 teaspoon (Sprinkle evenly over sauce.)
Part-skim mozzarella cheese, shredded
2 cups (Shred fresh or use pre-shredded.)
Parmesan cheese, shredded
1/4 cup (Use freshly grated or pre-shredded.)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
2
Spread a generous layer of Classico tomato and basil pasta sauce on the bottom of a spacious casserole dish to prevent sticking.
3
Place the frozen, uncooked breaded chicken breasts evenly in the casserole dish.
4
Pour the remaining pasta sauce over the chicken breasts, ensuring they are well coated, and sprinkle the garlic powder evenly over the top.
5
Sprinkle two cups of shredded mozzarella cheese over the sauced chicken, followed by a quarter cup of shredded parmesan cheese for that extra cheesy finish.
6
Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and the cheese is bubbly and golden.
7
Serve hot over cooked pasta to soak up the delicious sauce and don’t forget to complement the meal with some warm garlic bread.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Quick & Delicious Chicken Parmesan Bake?
It is a simplified version of classic Chicken Parmesan designed for busy weeknights using frozen breaded chicken.
What kind of chicken should I use?
The recipe calls for six frozen, uncooked breaded chicken breasts.
Do I need to thaw the chicken before baking?
No, you can use the chicken breasts directly from the freezer; there is no need to thaw them.
What is the recommended oven temperature?
Preheat your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit or 220 degrees Celsius.
What type of sauce is best for this recipe?
Classico tomato and basil pasta sauce is recommended, but you can use your favorite brand or a homemade sauce.
How much pasta sauce do I need?
You will need 32 ounces of pasta sauce.
How do I prevent the chicken from sticking to the pan?
Spread a generous layer of pasta sauce on the bottom of the casserole dish before adding the chicken.
How much mozzarella cheese is required?
The recipe uses two cups of shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese.
How much parmesan cheese is used?
A quarter cup of shredded parmesan cheese is used for the final topping.
When do I add the garlic powder?
Sprinkle one teaspoon of garlic powder evenly over the chicken after it has been coated with the remaining sauce.
How long does the dish need to bake?
Bake the dish in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes.
What internal temperature should the chicken reach?
The chicken is safe to eat when it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit or 74 degrees Celsius.
How can I tell if the cheese is done?
The cheese should be bubbly and have a golden color.
What should I serve with Chicken Parmesan Bake?
It is best served over a bed of cooked pasta to soak up the sauce.
Is there a recommended side dish?
Warm garlic bread is a perfect complement to this meal.
Can I use pre-shredded cheese?
Yes, you can use pre-shredded cheese or shred your own fresh cheese for this recipe.
What kind of casserole dish is needed?
A spacious casserole dish should be used to allow even placement of the six chicken breasts.
Is this recipe suitable for families?
Yes, it is described as a satisfying family meal that everyone will love.
Can I add more garlic?
The recipe calls for one teaspoon, but you can adjust seasonings like garlic powder to your personal preference.
Is this a quick meal to prepare?
Yes, it is designed with minimal effort for busy weeknights.
What flavor profile does the sauce have?
The suggested sauce features a rich blend of tomato and basil flavors.
How many chicken breasts are in one batch?
This recipe is portioned for six breaded chicken breasts.
Can I use different types of cheese?
While mozzarella and parmesan are classic, you can experiment with other Italian cheese blends.
What type of pasta goes well with this?
Spaghetti, fettuccine, or penne are all excellent choices for serving.
Is the parmesan freshly grated?
You can use either freshly grated or pre-shredded parmesan cheese.
Does the chicken need to be cooked before putting it in the oven?
No, the recipe specifically uses frozen, uncooked breaded chicken breasts.
What is the texture of the finished dish?
The chicken is juicy and smothered in sauce with gooey, melted cheese on top.
Can I make this in a smaller portion?
Yes, you can halve the ingredients, though baking times may vary slightly.
Is this a traditional Italian recipe?
It is a modern, quick bake version of classic Italian-inspired Chicken Parmesan.
What is the first step in the instructions?
The first step is to preheat your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.