Caesar Chicken Bake (5 Ingredients) Recipe
A simple and flavorful Caesar Chicken Bake with just 5 ingredients. Tender chicken breasts are coated in creamy Caesar dressing, topped with Parmesan cheese and buttery crushed croutons, then baked to golden perfection. Perfect for an easy weeknight dinner that captures the classic Caesar salad flavors in a hearty baked dish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Chicken
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 1-inch thickness)
Toppings
- 1 cup prepared Caesar salad dressing
- 1 cup freshly shredded Parmesan cheese
- 2 cups Caesar croutons
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
Instructions
- Prepare the baking dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly spray the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Place the chicken: Arrange the 2 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken breasts evenly in the prepared baking dish.
- Add Caesar dressing: Pour 1 cup of prepared Caesar salad dressing evenly over the chicken breasts, ensuring each piece is well coated.
- Sprinkle Parmesan: Evenly sprinkle 1 cup of freshly shredded Parmesan cheese on top of the Caesar dressing layer for a cheesy crust.
- Prepare crouton topping: Crush 2 cups of Caesar croutons inside a large Ziplock bag using a rolling pin until they form small crumbs. Drizzle ¼ cup of melted unsalted butter into the bag, then gently toss to combine and coat the crumbs with butter.
- Apply crouton topping: Sprinkle the buttered crouton crumbs evenly over the Parmesan cheese layer on the chicken.
- Bake covered: Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. This allows the chicken to cook thoroughly and stay moist.
- Finish baking uncovered: Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 10 minutes to crisp the topping and brown the cheese. Confirm the chicken has reached a safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) before serving.
Notes
- You can substitute chicken thighs for breasts if preferred; just be mindful of cooking times.
- For extra flavor, add some garlic powder or freshly cracked black pepper to the Caesar dressing before pouring.
- Use freshly shredded Parmesan for best melt and flavor versus pre-grated cheese.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
- Ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F to guarantee safe consumption.
