This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
This cheesy Chicken Parmesan Casserole is comfort food at its finest! It’s baked with juicy golden seared chicken, plenty of marinara, fresh mozzarella, and a crispy Parmesan–panko topping. It’s everything you love about chicken parm, but easier and made in one dish.
Try our Chicken Florentine or Melt in Your Mouth Chicken next for more cozy chicken dinners!
Why you’ll love it
There are nights when all we want is a simple, classic meal without extra steps. That’s where this casserole comes in! Here’s why it’s a winner:
- One pan magic – the chicken sears in minutes, then the oven does the rest.
- Cheesy goodness – fresh mozzarella melts beautifully over each chicken breast.
- Crispy topping – buttery panko and Parmesan get golden and crunchy under the broiler.
- Family favorite – saucy chicken with melty cheese is always a crowd-pleaser.
Helpful Tips
- Use an oven-safe skillet if you’d like to skip transferring to a casserole dish.
- Don’t skip the quick sear—it locks in juices and adds great flavor.
- Want it saucier? Spoon a little marinara over the chicken before adding cheese.
- Keep an eye on the broiler—the topping goes golden fast.
How to make Chicken Parmesan Casserole
Here’s a quick overview. Full measurements are in the recipe card below.
- Season chicken with salt, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and pepper.
- Sear chicken in olive oil until golden, about 4–5 minutes per side.
- Layer in dish – place chicken over marinara and top with mozzarella slices.
- Bake until chicken reaches 160°F.
- Make topping – combine panko, Parmesan, melted butter, and thyme.
- Broil – sprinkle topping over chicken and broil 2–3 minutes until golden.
Substitutions and variations
- Swap chicken breasts for boneless thighs if you prefer dark meat.
- Use Italian-seasoned breadcrumbs instead of panko.
- Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a little heat.
- Try a blend of cheeses—provolone or fontina make great additions.
What to serve with it
We like serving this casserole with buttered spaghetti, garlic bread, or a simple salad. It also pairs well with roasted vegetables or our Tuscan White Bean Soup for a full Italian-style dinner.
Leftovers and storage
- Fridge – store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Reheat – warm gently in the oven or air fryer at 350°F until heated through.
- Freeze – it’s best fresh, but baked chicken can be frozen for up to 2 months.
❓FAQs
Yes! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs work just as well. They’re naturally juicy and will stay tender even if cooked a little longer.
We love Rao’s Homemade for its rich flavor, but any good-quality store-bought marinara works. If you prefer homemade, that’s even better!
Yes. You can sear the chicken and assemble the dish a few hours in advance, then bake right before serving. For the crispiest topping, add the panko mixture just before baking.
More Easy Chicken Dinner Casseroles
We’d love to hear what you think—if you try this Chicken Parmesan Casserole, please come back and leave a star rating and review to let us know how it turned out!
Pin this now to find it later
Pin It
Chicken Parmesan Casserole Recipe
Ingredients
- 1½ cups marinara sauce
- 4 large chicken breasts, boneless, skinless (about 6 oz. each, 1 ½ lbs. total)
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1½ teaspoons dried Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese, cut into 4 (1-oz.) slices
- ¼ cup panko, Japanese-style breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme
- Fresh parsley or fresh basil, for garnish
Instructions
- Heat oven to 400°F.
- Season chicken: Pat chicken dry and season with salt, Italian seasoning, garlic powder and black pepper.
- Sear chicken: Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high. Cook chicken 4–5 minutes on one side, then 3–4 minutes on the other, until golden brown.
- Layer in dish: Pour 2 cups marinara sauce into the skillet. Arrange chicken over the marinara. Top each breast with a slice of fresh mozzarella.
- Bake on the center rack for about 20 minutes, until bubbling and chicken reaches 160°F.
- Make topping: Mix panko, Parmesan, melted butter, and thyme in a small bowl.
- Add topping & broil: Sprinkle topping over chicken. Move dish to the top rack and broil 2–3 minutes, until golden brown.
- Sprinkle with fresh parsley or basil and serve hot.
Notes
- Leftovers – Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the oven or air fryer at 350°F until warmed through.
- Freezing – Best enjoyed fresh, but you can freeze the baked chicken (without the topping) for up to 2 months. Add the panko-Parmesan topping after reheating for best texture.
- Make-ahead – You can sear the chicken and assemble the dish a few hours ahead. Keep covered in the fridge, then bake just before serving.
- Sauce – If you like extra saucy chicken, increase marinara to 2 cups and spoon a little over the chicken before adding mozzarella.
- Topping – For an even crunchier topping, toast the panko mixture in a dry skillet for 2–3 minutes before adding to the casserole.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
All rights reserved. CHEF JAR. All images and content are copyright protected. PLEASE do not use my images without my permission. If you want to share this recipe, PLEASE provide a link back to this post.
Made this last night for my family, and everyone went back for seconds! The chicken was juicy, and that cheesy topping was amazing.
Thank you, Emily! We’re so glad your family loved it. The golden, cheesy topping is always a hit here too.
The chicken baked up juicy and tender, and the panko topping was golden and crunchy without being greasy. I liked that the casserole wasn’t heavy but still tasted indulgent with the melted cheese. It reheated well the next day too.
That’s wonderful to hear, David! We’re glad the texture and flavors worked out so well for you—and yes, the leftovers are always a bonus!
Such a cozy dish! Crispy topping, melty cheese, and tender chicken — total comfort food. Even my picky kids cleaned their plates.
That’s music to my ears, Hannah! Love hearing it’s a hit with the whole family. Thank you for trying the recipe ❤️