Description
Ultimate Caesar Chicken is a delicious and flavorful dish featuring juicy chicken breasts coated in a creamy Caesar dressing, then baked to perfection. Topped with crunchy croutons and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese, this recipe gives you all the bold flavors of a classic Caesar salad with the added richness of tender chicken. Perfect for weeknight dinners or meal prep!
Ingredients
Scale
For the chicken:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1/2 cup Caesar dressing (store-bought or homemade)
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
For the topping:
- 1 cup croutons, crushed
- 1/4 cup fresh Parmesan cheese, grated
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)
For the Caesar dressing (if homemade):
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon anchovy paste (optional)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a baking dish or line it with parchment paper.
- Season the chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
- Place the chicken breasts in the prepared baking dish. Pour the Caesar dressing over the chicken, making sure each breast is evenly coated. Sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese over the top of the chicken.
- Bake the Chicken:
- Bake the chicken for 25-30 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and is cooked through. The top should be golden and slightly crispy.
- Prepare the Topping:
- While the chicken is baking, crush the croutons into smaller pieces and set aside. You can also make your own croutons if desired.
- Grate the fresh Parmesan cheese and chop the parsley for garnish.
- Finish the Dish:
- Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the oven and sprinkle the crushed croutons over the top of each chicken breast. Then add the fresh Parmesan cheese on top.
- Return the chicken to the oven and bake for an additional 5-7 minutes, or until the croutons are golden and crispy.
- Serve:
- Remove the chicken from the oven and garnish with fresh chopped parsley. Serve immediately with your favorite side dish, such as roasted vegetables or a fresh green salad.
Notes
- For a healthier version, use a lighter Caesar dressing or Greek yogurt-based dressing.
- If you prefer a crispy chicken, you can pan-sear the chicken breasts in a skillet before baking to get a nice golden crust.
- You can serve the chicken over a bed of lettuce for a full Caesar salad experience.
- If you don’t have croutons, you can substitute with crushed crackers or use a mixture of Parmesan and breadcrumbs.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast (for 4 servings)
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 1100mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 43g
- Cholesterol: 125mg