Chicken Parmesan Casserole served with pasta is a quick, healthy, and easy weeknight dinner for the whole family. This simple, freezer-friendly recipe is a great way to use leftover chicken. Cheesy baked Parmesan chicken layered with marinara and crunchy breadcrumbs makes comforting, family-friendly food without a lot of fuss.
Chicken Parmesan Casserole
Serve this casserole over spaghetti or your favorite pasta, or enjoy it on its own if you’re watching carbs. The dish is flavorful enough to stand alone and makes a satisfying main course.
It also works perfectly as a make-ahead freezer meal. Assemble and store the casserole in the fridge or freezer, then bake when you’re ready. This makes weeknight dinners faster and ensures you have a wholesome, homemade meal available when needed.
The recipe is straightforward and uses common pantry ingredients. If you have leftover cooked chicken, the casserole comes together very quickly. If not, briefly pan-grill boneless chicken breasts, then proceed with the recipe—adding only about 15–20 minutes to the total time. Either way, you can have dinner ready in under an hour.
If your chicken is already chopped and cooked, assembling this casserole is fast—perfect for busy weeknights. Instead of individually breading chicken cutlets, you simply mix the chicken with marinara, top with cheeses and breadcrumbs, and bake until golden and bubbly.
To make the casserole: stir diced cooked chicken with marinara sauce, cover with shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan, then finish with a seasoned breadcrumb topping. Bake until the crumbs are golden and the cheese is melted. Fresh chopped parsley sprinkled on top brightens the finished dish.
Whether baked fresh or prepared ahead for the freezer, this Chicken Parmesan Casserole is a reliable family favorite that’s easy to adapt and simple to prepare.
Chicken Parmesan Casserole FAQ
Yes. You can assemble the casserole in advance, refrigerate or freeze it, and bake when you are ready to serve.
Absolutely. Rotisserie or leftover cooked chicken speeds up the process and is a great option for busy weeknights.
No. The casserole is delicious on its own or served over pasta, depending on your preference.
If you have cooked chicken, mix it with marinara, top with cheese and breadcrumbs, and bake. That’s all it takes for a fast and satisfying dinner.
More healthy and easy chicken recipes:
Chicken Alfredo Bake is an easy weeknight casserole version of the classic Chicken Alfredo—creamy, cheesy, and comforting.
Healthy Slow Cooker Chicken Breast is an easy, flavorful dish that’s perfect for busy days and makes a tender, juicy protein to use in many meals.
Chicken, Cucumber, Tomato and Avocado Salad is a quick, light option for lunch or a simple dinner—fresh and easy to assemble for a crowd or family meal.
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Chicken Parmesan Casserole recipe:
Chicken Parmesan Casserole
- Author: Vera Zecevic
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 20
- Total Time: 30
- Yield: 6
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: American
Description
Chicken Parmesan Casserole served with pasta is a quick, healthy, and easy weeknight dinner for the whole family.
Ingredients
- 1½ lb. cooked chicken, diced (or grill about 2 lb. thawed boneless chicken breasts and season with salt and pepper)
- 1 jar (28 ounces) marinara sauce
- 1¾ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1½–2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs (if using finer breadcrumbs, use ¾ cup so the topping isn’t too sandy)
- Italian seasoned salt, to taste
- 1½–2 tablespoons freshly chopped parsley, for serving
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F and grease an 8½ x 8½-inch casserole dish with olive oil or cooking spray.
- Place the chopped cooked chicken in the baking dish and pour the marinara sauce over it; stir to combine.
- Spread shredded mozzarella evenly over the chicken and sprinkle with grated Parmesan.
- In a bowl, combine breadcrumbs and Italian seasoned salt. Add 1 tablespoon olive oil and stir. If the crumbs seem dry, add more oil until they are evenly moistened. The amount depends on the type of breadcrumbs you use.
- Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture over the cheese and bake 20–25 minutes, until the topping is golden and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving, if desired.
- To freeze for later, do not bake: cover the assembled casserole and freeze. Thaw completely before baking.
Notes
Recipe adapted from Thriving Home.