Description
Mouthwatering caprese chicken casserole brings Italian flavors into a comforting one-pan dinner. Fresh mozzarella, ripe tomatoes, and fragrant basil create a classic Mediterranean taste sensation that draws you into culinary bliss.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 cups (710 ml) chicken, shredded or diced
- 2 cups (470 ml) pasta, cooked
- 2 cups (470 ml) mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1 ½ cups (355 ml) cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup (240 ml) marinara sauce
- ½ cup (120 ml) Parmesan cheese, grated
- ½ cup (120 ml) basil leaves, fresh, chopped
- ¼ cup (60 ml) balsamic glaze
- 2 tbsps (30 ml) olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Prep Station: Preheat oven to 375F (190C) and lightly oil a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent adherence.
- Aromatic Launch: Sauté garlic in olive oil over medium heat for one minute, releasing its intense fragrance.
- Flavor Fusion: In a large mixing bowl, combine shredded chicken, pasta, cherry tomatoes, mozzarella, Parmesan, basil leaves, marinara sauce, and sautéed garlic. Season with Italian herbs, salt, and pepper. Gently mix until ingredients are thoroughly integrated.
- Cheese Coronation: Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish, distributing evenly. Sprinkle remaining mozzarella across the top, creating a luxurious cheese layer.
- Culinary Transformation: Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes until cheese melts into a golden, effervescent crust and edges become slightly crisp.
- Finishing Flourish: Remove from oven and embellish with elegant balsamic glaze drizzles. Garnish with fresh basil leaves for a vibrant, aromatic finale before serving.
Notes
- Optimize Chicken Texture: Shred chicken finely and evenly to ensure consistent flavor distribution and prevent dry, chunky bites throughout the casserole.
- Balance Moisture Levels: Use marinara sauce sparingly to maintain a creamy consistency without making the dish too watery or soggy.
- Enhance Cheese Melting: Grate fresh mozzarella instead of pre-shredded cheese for smoother, more even melting and superior flavor intensity.
- Customize Dietary Needs: Swap regular pasta with gluten-free alternatives or zucchini noodles for low-carb versions, keeping the core recipe’s delicious essence intact.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg