Crispy Chicken Parmesan Casserole

$- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded (preferably rotisserie for added flavor) You need cooked chicken for this dish. I like using rotisserie chicken. It adds great taste and saves time. - 3 cups marinara sauce (homemade or store-bought) Next, you need marinara sauce. You can use store-bought or make your own. Either way, it adds the perfect flavor to the casserole. - 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded - 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated Cheese makes this dish creamy and delicious. Use shredded mozzarella for stretchiness and grated Parmesan for a rich taste. - 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (dried herbs blend) - ½ teaspoon garlic powder - ½ teaspoon onion powder - 1 cup panko breadcrumbs (for extra crunch) - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish) - Salt and black pepper to taste For flavor, you’ll add Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and onion powder. Panko breadcrumbs give a lovely crunch on top. Lastly, fresh parsley adds color and freshness. Don’t forget to add salt and black pepper for taste! {{ingredient_image_2}} First, set your oven to 375°F (190°C). Use cooking spray or olive oil to lightly grease a 9x13 inch casserole dish. This step helps the casserole not stick to the dish. In a big mixing bowl, add 2 cups of shredded chicken. You can use rotisserie chicken for great flavor. Next, pour in 3 cups of marinara sauce and add 2 cups of cooked pasta. I like penne or rotini for this recipe. Mix in ½ cup of mozzarella cheese, ½ cup of Parmesan cheese, 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning, ½ teaspoon of garlic powder, and ½ teaspoon of onion powder. Season with salt and black pepper. Stir until everything is well combined. Now, carefully transfer your chicken and pasta mixture into the greased casserole dish. Use a spatula to spread it evenly across the bottom. This helps each bite taste great. In a separate bowl, mix the rest of the mozzarella cheese, remaining Parmesan cheese, and 1 cup of panko breadcrumbs. Stir these until they blend well. Evenly sprinkle this mixture over the chicken and pasta layer. Make sure every part is covered for extra crunch. Cover the dish with aluminum foil. This prevents the top from getting too brown. Place it in the oven for 20 minutes. After that, take off the foil and bake for another 15 to 20 minutes. Look for a golden brown topping that is crispy. Once done, let it cool for about 5 minutes before serving. For a nice touch, sprinkle fresh parsley on top before you serve. Use cooked chicken for this casserole. I like rotisserie chicken for its rich flavor. Shred it into bite-sized pieces. This saves time and adds a great taste. You can also use leftover chicken if you have it. Just make sure it is well-seasoned. To get that nice crunch, use panko breadcrumbs. They are lighter and crispier than regular ones. Mix them with the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. This combo forms a golden crust that makes every bite better. Sprinkle it evenly over the chicken layer. Make sure you cover all areas to avoid sogginess. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. It stays fresh for about three days. When reheating, place it in the oven. Heat it at 350°F (175°C) until warm. This keeps the topping crispy. Avoid using the microwave, as it can make the crust soggy. Serve this dish with a simple green salad. A light vinaigrette works well to balance the flavors. You can also add garlic bread for a filling meal. For drinks, a chilled white wine or sparkling water pairs nicely. Enjoy the flavors together for a complete dining experience. Pro Tips Use Rotisserie Chicken: For added flavor and convenience, use rotisserie chicken instead of cooking your own. This saves time and enhances the overall taste of the casserole. Homemade Marinara Sauce: If you have time, try making your own marinara sauce. Fresh ingredients can elevate the dish and give it a personal touch. Crispy Topping: For an extra crispy topping, broil the casserole for the last few minutes of baking. Just keep an eye on it to prevent burning! Make Ahead: This casserole can be assembled a day in advance and stored in the fridge. Just bake it when you're ready to serve for a quick and easy meal. {{image_4}} You can make a tasty vegetarian version of this casserole. Instead of chicken, use 2 cups of cooked mushrooms or zucchini. The marinara sauce and cheese bring all the flavors together. You still get that lovely baked topping, making it just as comforting. For a healthy twist, add 2 cups of fresh spinach to the chicken mix. The spinach wilts down and adds a nice color. It also brings extra nutrients to your meal. Just mix it in with the chicken, sauce, and pasta before baking. If you enjoy some heat, add red pepper flakes to the chicken mix. Start with 1/2 teaspoon and adjust to your taste. You can also use spicy marinara sauce for an extra kick. This variation adds a fun twist to the classic dish while keeping the same creamy, cheesy goodness. After you enjoy your Chicken Parmesan Casserole, cool the leftovers to room temp. Place the casserole in an airtight container. This helps keep the flavors fresh. You can store it in the fridge for up to three days. When you want to eat it again, check that it smells good before reheating. If you want to save some for later, freezing is a great option. Wrap the casserole tightly in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil. This prevents freezer burn. You can freeze it for up to three months. When you're ready to eat it, just thaw it in the fridge overnight before reheating. To warm up the casserole, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Remove any foil and plastic wrap. Cover the dish with foil to keep it moist. Bake for about 20-25 minutes. You can also microwave individual servings for about 2-3 minutes. Just make sure it’s hot all the way through before serving. Yes, you can use frozen chicken for this dish. Just remember to thaw it first. Use the fridge or cold water method for safe thawing. Cooked chicken works best, so you can use rotisserie chicken if you have it. This adds flavor and saves time. Penne or rotini pasta is best for this casserole. Both types hold sauce well. Their shapes let you scoop up chicken and cheese with each bite. You can also use any pasta you have at home, as long as it is cooked. Chicken Parmesan Casserole lasts about 3 to 4 days in the fridge. Store it in an airtight container to keep it fresh. If you want to enjoy it later, freeze it for up to 3 months. Just thaw before reheating. Yes, you can prepare this casserole ahead of time. Assemble it earlier in the day or even a day before. Cover it with foil and store it in the fridge. Bake it when you're ready to serve. This makes dinner easy and stress-free! This blog post covered everything you need to make a tasty Chicken Parmesan Casserole. We discussed the key ingredients, from the chicken to the sauce and cheese. You learned step-by-step instructions to assemble and bake your dish. Tips on choosing the best chicken and perfecting that crunchy topping can make a big difference. In the end, enjoy the leftovers or try fun variations like vegetarian or spicy. Cooking should be fun and easy! So go ahead and make this dish your own.$

Crispy Chicken Parmesan Casserole

A delicious and hearty casserole featuring shredded chicken, marinara sauce, pasta, and a crispy cheese topping.

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Prep Time 15

Cook Time 40

Total Time 55

Course Main Course

Cuisine Italian

Servings 6

Calories 450 kcal

Ingredients

2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
3 cups marinara sauce
2 cups cooked pasta
1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
0.5 teaspoon garlic powder
0.5 teaspoon onion powder
1 cup panko breadcrumbs
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
to taste salt and black pepper

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13 inch casserole dish with cooking spray or olive oil.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded cooked chicken, marinara sauce, and cooked pasta. Add ½ cup of the shredded mozzarella cheese, ½ cup of the grated Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, and season with salt and black pepper. Stir the mixture thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly combined.
Carefully transfer the chicken and pasta mixture into the prepared casserole dish. Use a spatula or the back of a spoon to spread it out evenly across the bottom of the dish.
In a separate bowl, mix together the remaining mozzarella cheese, remaining Parmesan cheese, and panko breadcrumbs. Stir until these ingredients are blended uniformly.
Evenly sprinkle the breadcrumb and cheese mixture over the chicken and pasta layer in the casserole dish, ensuring complete coverage.
Cover the casserole dish with aluminum foil to prevent over-browning, and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.
After 20 minutes, carefully remove the foil and continue to bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the topping turns a lovely golden brown and becomes crispy.
Once the casserole is fully cooked, remove it from the oven and allow it to cool for approximately 5 minutes before serving.
For a fresh garnish, sprinkle the chopped parsley over the top of the dish just before serving.

Notes

Serve in deep bowls for a hearty portion and pair with a crisp green salad.

Keyword casserole, chicken, comfort food, parmesan, pasta