Oven-Baked Caesar Chicken with Crispy Parmesan Crust

This 5-ingredient Baked Caesar Chicken Recipe delivers incredibly juicy baked chicken breasts topped with creamy Caesar dressing and melted mozzarella. It’s a simple, flavorful weeknight dinner that’s quick to prepare and satisfying to serve.

A Flavorful and Easy Chicken Dinner Idea

This recipe can be made with as few as three ingredients and bakes in just over 20 minutes. The chicken stays moist and tender, while the creamy Caesar dressing and melted cheese create a rich, comforting topping.

Serve with steamed vegetables, a simple salad, or rice. The creamy dressing and gooey mozzarella pair well with many sides and make the dish feel indulgent without extra fuss.

Recipe Ingredients

This dish looks like it belongs on a restaurant plate but is effortless to make at home.

• Chicken Breasts: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are used for even cooking.
• Creamy Caesar Dressing: Choose a smooth, creamy version for the best coating and texture.
• Mozzarella Cheese: Shredded mozzarella melts into a stretchy, golden layer.
• Fresh Parsley: Chopped parsley adds brightness as a garnish.
• Parmesan Cheese: Grated parmesan is optional but recommended for a savory finish.

How to Make Baked Caesar Chicken

1. Prepare the oven: Preheat to 400°F.
2. Pound the chicken: Pound each breast to about ½-inch thickness so they cook evenly.
3. Coat with dressing: Place the pounded breasts in a baking dish and pour creamy Caesar dressing over them, turning to coat both sides.
4. Add cheese: Sprinkle shredded mozzarella evenly over the chicken.
5. Bake: Bake uncovered for about 20 minutes, until the internal temperature reaches 160°F.
6. Broil briefly: Switch the oven to BROIL and broil 3–4 minutes until the cheese is melted and lightly browned.
7. Garnish and serve: Remove from the oven and garnish with chopped parsley and grated parmesan if desired. Serve hot.

Tips for the Best Baked Caesar Chicken

• Check internal temperature: Use an instant-read thermometer to ensure the chicken reaches 160°F for safe, juicy results.
• Avoid extra salt: Caesar dressing is already seasoned, so additional salt isn’t necessary. A sprinkle of paprika or freshly ground black pepper adds flavor if you like.
• Pick the right dressing: Use a smooth, creamy Caesar dressing—for best texture and coverage, avoid chunky varieties.
• Even thickness: Pound breasts to the suggested ½-inch thickness so they bake evenly and finish at the same time.

Serving Suggestions

• Rice: Serve over garlic butter rice or plain steamed rice to balance the rich sauce.
• Bread: Crusty or cheesy bread is great for sopping up extra dressing.
• Vegetables: Pair with a crisp green salad or roasted vegetables for freshness and color.

How to Store and Reheat Leftovers

• Store leftover chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3–4 days. For longer storage, freeze for 2–3 months.
• Reheat in the microwave in short increments until warm, or reheat in a covered baking dish at 350°F until heated through, then briefly broil to refresh the cheese topping.

Ideas for Using Leftovers

Leftover Caesar chicken is versatile—here are a few ideas to make the most of it:

• Quesadillas: Chop the chicken and place it in tortillas with extra cheese, then cook until golden.
• Chicken Caesar Salad: Slice and add to a Caesar salad for a hearty meal served hot or cold.
• Sandwiches: Use sliced chicken in sandwiches with lettuce, tomato, and a little extra dressing.
• Tacos: Fill tortillas with chopped chicken, fresh toppings, and a squeeze of lime for quick tacos.

5 from 6 votes

Baked Caesar Chicken

by Katerina | Easy Weeknight Recipes

This 5-ingredient Baked Caesar Chicken Recipe makes the juiciest baked chicken breasts you’ll ever eat! Covered in Caesar dressing and melty cheese, they’re full of flavor and easy to make.

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 cup creamy Caesar dressing
• 3/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
• grated parmesan cheese, for garnish, optional

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 400°F.
• Pound each chicken breast to a ½-inch thickness.
• Place chicken in a baking dish and pour Caesar dressing over, turning to coat.
• Top with shredded mozzarella.
• Bake uncovered about 20 minutes, or until an instant-read thermometer registers 160°F.
• Switch to BROIL and broil 3–4 minutes until cheese is melted and lightly browned.
• Remove and garnish with parsley and parmesan.

Equipment

• Oven

Nutrition

Calories: 511kcal
|
Carbohydrates: 2g
|
Protein: 30g
|
Fat: 42g

Nutritional info is an estimate and provided as a courtesy. Values may vary according to ingredients and tools used.