This Healthier Chicken Parmesan Casserole is a comforting dish that combines roasted pieces of chicken with rich marinara sauce and melted cheeses, and bakes it together until hot and bubbling, In just a short time, you can turn a store-bought rotisserie chicken into an Italian-inspired meal that is quick, healthy and delicious! This recipe lightens things up by skipping the breading and the frying, but still delivers all the cheesy, tomato-ey, flavours of traditional Chicken Parmesan.
Need a hearty meal in a heartbeat? This simple Chicken Parmesan Casserole is easy, delicious and just the thing you need for a busy weeknight dinner. It delivers all the beloved flavours of classic Chicken Parmesan, but skips breading and frying the chicken and dives right into tossing roasted chicken in a delicious marinara sauce, topping it with cheese, and baking it until hot and bubbly. With minimal fuss, this recipe makes a cozy and comforting dinner packed with Italian flavours.
What goes in Healthier Chicken Parmesan Casserole?
- Roasted Chicken: You can use leftover roast chicken if you have it, or pick up a precooked, rotisserie chicken from the grocery store. This recipe calls for 4 cups of chopped cooked chicken, which is the amount of meat on a typical rotisserie chicken.
- Marinara Sauce: Here’s my go-to recipe for homemade marinara sauce . Make it ahead of time (can be made up to 5 days ahead and kept in the fridge, or frozen for up to 6 months), or pick up your favourite jarred sauce from the store. If I don’t have my own sauce on hand, I use Rao’s Marinara Sauce, which tastes pretty much as good as homemade.
- Mozzarella and Parmesan Cheeses: Sprinkle this casserole with grated cheeses to make a gooey, stretchy, cheesy topping. Freshly grated high-quality mozzarella melts and tastes better, but the bagged pre shredded kind will work in a pinch. (This recipe is all about speed and convenience, after all.)
- Fresh Basil: The chicken and the sauce may be store bought, but a generous sprinkling of fresh basil will give this casserole a fresh, homemade taste. It isn’t necessary, but it really does make the dish taste extra delicious so I don’t recommend skipping it.
SERVING SUGGESTIONS
In the spirit of keeping things quick and easy, I like to serve this with a side of spaghetti and steamed green beans or a simple green salad. This chicken parmesan casserole goes well with a hearty side dish to soak up the sauce. If you don’t want pasta, then rice, polenta or crusty bread are all good options.
DRINK PAIRING
The tomato sauce and rich cheeses are a perfect match for a medium-bodied red with good acidity, such as Chianti. Pinot Noir, though lighter in body, also pairs deliciously!
Healthier Chicken Parmesan Casserole
Ingredients
- 4 cups chopped cooked chicken, such as from a store bought rotisserie chicken
- 2 cups marinana sauce, homemade or store bought
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese, plus extra for serving
- Fresh basil, shredded (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375F. Grease an 8" or 9" square baking dish.
- In a large bowl, combine the chopped chicken with the marinara sauce and stir until evenly coated. Pour the chicken into the prepared baking dish, smoothing the top.
- Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella over the chicken, then sprinkle the parmesan cheese over the mozzarella. Bake for 15-20 minutes until heated through and cheese is melted and bubbly. Sprinkle fresh basil over the top (if using) and serve with additional parmesan cheese.
RECIPE NOTES
- This healthier Chicken Parmesan Casserole can be assembled up to a day in advance and kept well covered in the fridge until ready to bake. Remove the casserole from the fridge and allow it to rest at room temperature for about 30 minutes before heating to ensure even baking.
- Leftover Chicken Parmesan Casserole can be stored in the fridge. for up to 3 days. Allow the casserole to cool completely before transferring it to a covered container.
