Best 6-serving parmesan chicken casserole joy

If you’re like me, sometimes you just need a dinner that tastes like a warm hug, and that’s exactly what this parmesan chicken casserole delivers! Hi there, I’m Anna, and I absolutely live for sharing simple, flavorful chicken recipes designed to make your everyday cooking easier and way more joyful. Forget fussy weeknight meals; this cheesy, creamy baked dish comes together using stuff you probably already have hiding in the pantry. It’s the kind of meal where the kitchen smells incredible, and everyone crowds around waiting for that first bubbly scoop. Trust me, this is going straight into your ‘must-make-again’ folder!

Gathering What You Need for parmesan chicken casserole

The best part about this recipe, besides the amazing cheesy crust, is that it relies on pantry heroes! We aren’t running out to the specialty store for obscure spices here. It’s all about taking simple staples—chicken, a couple of creamy binders, and plenty of good cheese—and turning them into something spectacular. I always like to have my ingredients ready to go before I even turn on the stove. It makes the whole process feel smooth, almost like I’m a professional chef, even though I’m just whipping up dinner!

We’re making enough here for about six hungry people, so make sure you have your 9×13 dish ready to go. Don’t skimp on the Parmesan; it’s what gives this casserole its signature salty bite!

Ingredient List for Your Cheesy Bake

Here is exactly what you’ll need to round up. Make sure your Parmesan is finely grated—it melts so much better that way!

Item	Amount	Preparation Note
Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts	2 pounds	Cut into 1 inch cubes
Kosher Salt	1 teaspoon
Black Pepper	1/4 teaspoon
Garlic Powder	1 teaspoon
Dried Italian Seasoning	1 teaspoon
Olive Oil	2 tablespoons	For cooking chicken
Sour Cream	1 cup
Mayonnaise	1/2 cup
Parmesan Cheese	1 cup	Finely grated, divided
Shredded Mozzarella Cheese	3/4 cup
Plain Breadcrumbs	1 cup
Unsalted Butter	2 tablespoons	Melted
Fresh Parsley	1 tablespoon	Chopped, for garnish

Essential Equipment for This parmesan chicken casserole

You don’t need any fancy gadgets for this one, which is part of why I love it so much! Make sure you have a good sturdy 9 by 13 inch baking dish ready to be lightly greased. You’ll also need a large skillet to brown the chicken base. Grab a couple of medium mixing bowls—one for that luscious sauce and a smaller one for mixing up the crunchy topping. Honestly, having all your tools lined up makes the assembly phase fly by!

Step-by-Step Guide to Preparing parmesan chicken casserole

Okay, here is where the magic happens! Getting the timing right is key for a casserole this rich. We aren’t looking for fully cooked chicken in the skillet; we just want to get it started so it finishes perfectly tender in the oven. Read through these steps once before you start, and you’ll be amazed how quickly this comes together!

Initial Prep and Chicken Seasoning

First things first: get that oven warmed up! Set it to 375°F. While it’s heating, take your 9 by 13 baking dish and lightly grease it all over with a little bit of olive oil. Now take your cubed chicken—about 2 pounds worth—and toss it right in a bowl with the salt, pepper, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning. Make sure every piece gets coated; this is where the base flavor starts building!

Cooking the Chicken Base

Next, grab a big skillet and heat up those 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Toss in the seasoned chicken cubes. You only need to cook these for about 4 to 5 minutes. We are only looking for a light browning on the outside—don’t worry if they look slightly pink inside! They are going to finish cooking completely in the oven later, so resist the urge to overcook them now, or they’ll dry out later.

Creating the Creamy Sauce

While the chicken is doing its quick sear, mix up the sauce. In a separate bowl, combine the sour cream and the mayonnaise. Then, stir in half of your total Parmesan cheese—that’s half a cup. Mix this until it looks completely smooth and creamy. If it seems super thick, don’t panic; it will loosen up once it hits the warm chicken.

Assembling Your parmesan chicken casserole

Time to layer! Spread that lightly browned chicken evenly across the bottom of your prepared baking dish. Pour that luscious, creamy sauce right over the top of the chicken and spread it around gently so everything is coated. Next, grab your mozzarella cheese and sprinkle it evenly over the sauce layer. This is going to melt into those gooey pockets we all love!

Crafting the Golden Topping

Now for the crunch! In a small bowl, combine your 1 cup of plain breadcrumbs with the 2 tablespoons of melted butter. Stir it until it looks like wet sand. Then, mix in the remaining half cup of Parmesan cheese. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the top of the mozzarella. This is what gives us that perfect golden, crispy crust!

Baking and Final Touches

Place the whole dish into that preheated 375°F oven and bake it uncovered for about 30 to 35 minutes. You want it bubbly hot all over. Importantly, use a meat thermometer to check the thickest piece of chicken—it absolutely must read 165°F (or 74°C) before you pull it out. Once it hits that temp, let it rest for about 5 minutes. Right before serving, sprinkle that fresh chopped parsley over the top for a pop of color!

Tips for Perfect parmesan chicken casserole Results

Even with a simple recipe like this, small details can make the difference between good and great! Since we are dealing with poultry, safety is first, but getting that perfect creamy texture inside and that crispy top outside takes just a tiny bit of attention. Don’t worry; these tips are easy to follow, even on a crazy Tuesday night!

Achieving the Right Texture

Remember what I said about the chicken in the skillet? Don’t let it get too dark! If you cook the chicken past 80% done before it goes into the sauce, it’s going to seize up and get dry when it bakes for another 30 minutes. You want that light golden sear only. For the topping, if you notice the breadcrumbs are getting dark brown but the casserole underneath isn’t bubbling hot yet, just loosely tent a piece of foil over the top. That stops the crust from burning while the center finishes cooking through safely.

Ingredient Substitutions for Your parmesan chicken casserole

Feel free to customize based on what you have! If you don’t have Italian seasoning, just use a mix of dried oregano and dried basil—about half a teaspoon of each works beautifully. If you run out of mozzarella, a sharp white cheddar melts wonderfully here, though you might lose a tiny bit of that classic pull. Also, you can swap the plain breadcrumbs for panko if you want an extra-crispy topping. Just remember, the internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) is non-negotiable for safety, no matter what you swap in!

Frequently Asked Questions About This Recipe

I always get so many great questions when people try this dish for the first time! It’s so versatile, but there are a few things folks always ask me about making sure their cheesy chicken casserole turns out perfectly every time.

Can I Make This parmesan chicken casserole Ahead of Time?

Absolutely, make-ahead meals are my specialty! You can totally assemble this entire parmesan chicken casserole—steps 1 through 8—the night before. Just cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap and stick it in the fridge. When you’re ready to bake it the next day, let it sit on the counter for about 20 minutes to take the chill off, then bake it as directed, though you might need to add 5 to 10 minutes to the total bake time since it’s starting cold.

What Temperature Should the Chicken Reach?

This is the most important question for any recipe involving poultry! When you check the casserole before pulling it out of the oven, you must ensure the thickest piece of chicken registers 165°F (or 74°C) on an instant-read thermometer. Please don’t guess on this! Hitting that temperature guarantees your chicken is safe to eat and fully cooked through, even with all that lovely creamy sauce around it.

Storing Leftover parmesan chicken casserole

Nobody minds leftovers when they taste this good, right? This casserole keeps wonderfully, though the topping might lose a tiny bit of its crispness overnight—that’s just the nature of creamy baked dishes! The key is storing it correctly so you can enjoy it safely later in the week. Make sure the casserole has cooled down a bit before you cover it tightly. If you seal it while it’s steaming hot, you’ll create condensation, which makes things soggy.

When you reheat it, a little bit of creaminess might separate out, but don’t worry! A quick stir when it’s warm again brings it right back together. Here’s my little cheat sheet for keeping your delicious parmesan chicken casserole leftovers perfect:

Storage Method	Duration	Reheating Tip
Refrigerator	3 to 4 days	Microwave in short bursts, stirring halfway through.
Freezer (Airtight Container)	Up to 2 months	Thaw overnight in the fridge, then bake covered at 350°F until heated through.

Sharing Your Delicious parmesan chicken casserole Experience

Now that you’ve pulled that bubbling, golden-brown dish out of the oven, I’m dying to know what you thought! Honestly, seeing your families enjoy these simple meals is the whole reason I spend my afternoons in the kitchen testing things out.

Did you try the fresh parsley garnish, or did you sneak in some chives instead? Did your kids go crazy for the cheesy topping? Don’t be shy!

Jump down to the comments below and leave a rating for this parmesan chicken casserole. Tell me how it went, what you served it with—maybe some roasted asparagus or crusty bread? Your feedback helps other busy cooks know this recipe is a winner. Happy cooking, and I can’t wait to hear all about your dinner!

If you are looking for more great recipe ideas, check out my Pinterest page for visual inspiration!

Print