The ingredients from our favorite Chicken Parmesan recipe are transformed into a hearty casserole in the Chicken Parmesan Casserole.
Rich tomato sauce with spaghetti and tender chicken bits. For the ideal bite, this chicken casserole’s toppings include mozzarella cheese and a garlicky, buttery sauce.
Dinner will be ready in no time if you add a side salad and some crusty bread.
The foundation of the Chicken Parmesan Casserole is soft cooked chicken bits. I typically use leftover roast chicken or oven-baked chicken breasts. You may alternatively use rotisserie chicken or cook a fast-poached chicken if you don’t have any leftover chicken.
If you use rotisserie chicken, don’t forget to freeze the remaining bones and scraps so you may make a flavorful chicken soup later on.
Making a Chicken Parmesan Casserole Recipe
The simplicity of making baked chicken parmesan casserole on busy weeknights is one of its best qualities. With leftover chicken, I frequently simplify things even further for myself.
To transform chicken parmesan casserole into a satisfying dish that the entire family will enjoy:
- The pasta should be cooked al dente before draining (it will continue to cook in the oven). Combine the pasta, diced tomatoes, sauce, and chicken in the same pot and transfer to a casserole dish.
- Add some shredded mozzarella on top.
- The Panko topping should be spread over the cheese before baking. Bake until bubbling and golden.
- Chicken Parmesan Casserole that is uncooked
Chicken Parmesan Casserole with pasta
You can use any type of pasta you choose, besides spaghetti, or utilize pasta you already have on hand. Here, I suggest choosing either rotini or penne; both are excellent options for casseroles. They have a satisfying chew and are thick. This indicates that it keeps well when baked, frozen, or if you anticipate having leftovers.
My own favorite food is rotini, and youngsters also seem to enjoy it. The sauce is caught and held by those tiny spirals, resulting in a meal that is more delicate and luscious. If you intend to freeze or refrigerate leftovers and reheat them, be careful not to overcook them to prevent them from crumbling and turning to mush.
You may even serve this recipe over spaghetti squash for a lighter option. Even if it’s not pasta, it’s still absolutely tasty!
Simple Casserole Toppers
I always believe that a tasty topping gives any casserole dish more flair, but it’s crucial with this recipe in particular.
The crumbs emulate the lovely crunch and breading we love so much because this recipe imitates the flavors in our favorite chicken parm recipe. Garlic, butter, parmesan, and panko combine to provide the ideal crisp topping.
Of course, you can use any breadcrumbs you have in your pantry. They will still bake up nicely crumbly thanks to the fat in the melting butter, but Panko does provide the nicest crispy crunch.
Serving Ideas
An easy recipe with an Italian influence is baked chicken parmesan casserole. And what goes better with simple Italian than a fresh green salad and some crusty garlic bread?
A garlic loaf wrapped in foil can be baked at the same time as the casserole. Simply prepare a homemade balsamic vinaigrette for the salad.
The vinegar’s acidity will provide a pleasant counterbalance to the casserole’s rich, cheesy, and buttery flavor. Your family will adore it!
How to Reheat
If you have leftovers, you may reheat them in the oven while refreshing them with a fresh topping layer. The leftovers could also be frozen. The flavors will still be fantastic in either case.
Chicken Parmesan Casserole
With chicken, pasta, tomato sauce, and a crunchy panko crumbs topping, Baked Chicken Parmesan Casserole is a mouthwatering Italian-inspired dish that you will adore.
Prepare in 25 minutes
25 minutes for cooking duration: 50 minutes portions: 4 portions |
Ingredients
- 8 ounces rotini or penne
- 24 ounces marinara sauce or pasta sauce, divided
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 cups cooked chicken shredded or diced
- 14 ½ ounces diced tomatoes canned, well drained (optional)
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese
- 1 tablespoon parsley fresh
topping
- 2 tablespoons butter melted
- ⅓ cup Panko bread crumbs
- 1 tablespoon parsley fresh
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ cup shredded parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Turn on the 375°F oven.
- Combine all topping ingredients. Place aside.
- Follow the directions on the package to prepare pasta al dente. Italian seasoning, chicken, chopped tomatoes, parsley, and 2 cups of pasta sauce are added.
- Put in a 9×9 or 2 QT casserole dish, then add the leftover pasta sauce on top. Sprinkle with the topping mixture and mozzarella cheese.
- Baked for 23 to 25 minutes, or until bubbling, golden, and the topping is browned.
Nutrition information
Calories: 561 | Carbohydrates: 60g | Protein: 39g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 77mg | Sodium: 1353mg | Potassium: 1070mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 1445IU | Vitamin C: 24.1mg | Calcium: 433mg | Iron: 5mg