Place raw chicken in baking dish. In 4 easy steps, you have a heavenly meal
Are you craving a hearty and satisfying meal that will please the whole family? Look no further than our Chicken Parmesan Casserole recipe! Bursting with flavor and easy to make, this dish combines tender chicken, al dente pasta, gooey cheese, and zesty marinara sauce for a culinary masterpiece that’s sure to become a household favorite.
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Ingredients:
| Ingredients | Amount |
|---|---|
| Rigatoni pasta | 3/4 lb |
| Marinara sauce | 32 oz (up to 48 oz for saucier pasta) |
| Shredded mozzarella cheese | 3 cups, divided |
| Grated Parmesan cheese | 1/3 cup, divided |
| Boneless skinless chicken breasts | 2 small |
| All-purpose flour | 3/4 cup |
| Seasoned salt | 2 tsp |
| Black pepper | 1/4 tsp |
| Large eggs | 2 |
| Italian breadcrumbs | 1 1/2 cups |
| Vegetable oil | 3/4 cup |
| Butter | 2 tbsp |
| Fresh parsley | For garnish |
Instructions:
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
- Cook the Pasta: Boil the rigatoni pasta according to the package instructions until it’s al dente. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
- Prepare the Chicken: Cut the chicken breasts in half horizontally to make thinner cutlets. In a shallow dish, mix together the all-purpose flour, seasoned salt, and black pepper. Dredge each chicken cutlet in the flour mixture, then dip it into the beaten eggs, and coat it with Italian breadcrumbs.
- Fry the Chicken: Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Fry the breaded chicken cutlets for about 3-4 minutes per side until they turn golden brown and are fully cooked. Place the cooked chicken on a plate lined with paper towels to drain any excess oil.
- Assemble the Casserole: Spread a thin layer of marinara sauce on the bottom of the greased baking dish. Arrange the cooked rigatoni pasta evenly over the sauce. Sprinkle half of the shredded mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses over the pasta. Then, place the fried chicken cutlets on top of the cheese layer. Pour the remaining marinara sauce over the chicken, and sprinkle the rest of the mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses on top.
- Bake the Casserole: Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake it in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Garnish and Serve: Once the casserole is cooked, remove the foil from the baking dish. Dot the top of the casserole with butter, and return it to the oven for an additional 5-10 minutes, or until the cheese is golden brown and bubbly. Garnish the casserole with fresh parsley before serving.
