Chicken Parmesan Casserole

Introduction

Chicken Parmesan Casserole is the answer when you want all the comforting, Italian-American flavors of traditional chicken Parmesan—crispy chicken, tangy marinara, and oozy cheese—without all the extra steps. By layering tender chicken, hearty tomato sauce, and a generous blanket of cheese in a single dish, this recipe offers a baked, family-style meal that’s impossible to resist and incredibly easy to pull together.

This casserole is perfect for busy weeknights, feeding a crowd, or prepping ahead—it brings everyone to the table with tempting aromas and delivers all the satisfaction of the classic, with half the work.

Why This Chicken Parmesan Casserole Is a Crowd Pleaser

This dish pairs the savory crunch of garlicky breadcrumbs with juicy chicken and bubbling cheese, ensuring each bite delivers classic Chicken Parm flavor. With little hands-on cooking, it’s as simple as tossing together shredded rotisserie chicken, your favorite pasta, and store-bought or homemade marinara.
You can prepare it in advance and refrigerate or freeze, making it an ideal choice for meal trains, potlucks, or weeknight dining. The baked casserole format means zero last-minute frying—just assemble, bake, and serve!

Effortless Prep and Tools That Help

The key to speedy assembly starts with well-prepped, bite-size chicken. Save time and make perfectly even pieces using a Chicken Shredder Tool Twist for Kitchen, Elegant Black—just twist and shred cooked breasts or thighs straight into your casserole dish for minimal mess.

To slice and prep vegetables or quickly chop onions and garlic for the sauce, a Mueller Pro-Series 10-in-1, 8 Blade Vegetable Chopper will streamline your prep. And don’t forget to bake your casserole on a parchment-lined tray for easy cleanup—lay down a sheet from the Reynolds Kitchens Brown Parchment Paper Roll to prevent stubborn cheese from sticking.

If you want to crisp up your breadcrumbs before sprinkling on top, use a quality skillet like the SENSARTE Nonstick Frying Pan Skillet, 9.5 Inch for best results.

Step-by-Step Assembly for the Ultimate Chicken Parmesan Casserole

1. **Prepare your chicken**: Shred cooked chicken breasts or thighs for the base. Rotisserie chicken works wonders and saves time.
2. **Mix the filling**: In a large bowl, combine shredded chicken with cooked pasta, marinara sauce, and dollops of ricotta or cream cheese for richness. Add parmesan and mozzarella for the essential cheesiness.
3. **Assemble the casserole**: Layer half the chicken mixture in a baking dish, scatter with mozzarella, then repeat the layers.
4. **Finish with topping**: Combine breadcrumbs, melted butter, garlic powder, and parmesan. Toast lightly in your skillet if desired, then scatter over the casserole for a golden, crunchy finish.

Serving Suggestions for Chicken Parmesan Casserole

Brighten each serving with a shower of fresh basil and extra parmesan. Pair with a crisp green salad or garlic bread. Pack leftovers into a Bentgo Salad Container – 54 oz Bowl for an envy-inducing lunch at work or for kids’ lunches.

This casserole freezes beautifully—simply portion into Rubbermaid Brilliance Food Storage Containers and reheat when needed.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe yields 8 generous servings. Each portion (prepared with regular dairy cheese and standard marinara) contains about 400–500 calories. Pair with a salad to make it a satisfying, balanced meal!

Chicken Parmesan Casserole (Recap)

This casserole brings together everything you love about Chicken Parmesan, plus all the practicality of an easy, assemble-ahead dish. It’s got cheesy layers, crispy topping, and bold tomato flavor—the perfect crowd-pleaser for any day of the week.

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or line with a sheet from the Reynolds Kitchens Brown Parchment Paper Roll for effortless cleanup.
2. Cook pasta according to package directions until just al dente. Drain well.
3. In a large bowl, toss shredded chicken (using the Chicken Shredder Tool Twist for Kitchen, Elegant Black for ease), cooked pasta, marinara sauce, ricotta or cream cheese if using, 1 cup mozzarella, and ¼ cup parmesan. Season with salt and pepper.
4. Spoon half the mixture into your prepared baking dish. Sprinkle with half the remaining mozzarella and parmesan. Top with the rest of the chicken mixture, and finish with the remaining cheeses.
5. In a small bowl, mix panko, melted butter, garlic powder, and the remaining parmesan. Optional: Lightly toast this in the SENSARTE Nonstick Frying Pan Skillet, 9.5 Inch for added crunch and flavor. Scatter breadcrumb mixture evenly over casserole.
6. Bake uncovered for 25–30 minutes until hot and cheese is bubbling. Switch the oven to broil for 2–3 minutes for a deeply golden topping.
7. Cool for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with torn basil and extra parmesan.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Enjoy the rich flavors and irresistible textures of this Chicken Parmesan Casserole—a comforting, classic dish made effortless for any home cook.