Description
Crispy caesar chicken delivers a flavor-packed twist on classic Caesar salad. Juicy chicken breasts coated in zesty dressing and parmesan create a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 chicken breasts (boneless, skinless)
- 1 cup (240 ml / 8 fl oz) Caesar dressing
- 1 cup (100 g) mozzarella cheese (shredded)
- ½ cup (120 ml / 4 fl oz) sour cream or Greek yogurt
- ½ cup (50 g) parmesan cheese (grated)
- ½ cup (60 g) panko breadcrumbs
- 1 tbsp (15 ml / 0.5 fl oz) olive oil or melted butter
- 1 tsp (5 g) salt
- ½ tsp (1.5 g) black pepper
- ½ tsp (1.5 g) garlic powder
- 1 tsp (2 g) Italian seasoning
Instructions
- Oven Preparation: Preheat oven to 375F (190C) and lightly spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Chicken Seasoning: Evenly coat chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and garlic powder, ensuring thorough coverage on both sides.
- Caesar Sauce Creation: Whisk Caesar dressing and sour cream until smooth, creating a rich, creamy base for the chicken.
- Initial Layer: Spread half of the Caesar mixture across the bottom of the baking dish, establishing a flavorful foundation.
- Chicken Placement and Coating: Position chicken breasts over the sauce, then generously cover with remaining Caesar mixture, ensuring complete protein coverage.
- Cheese Topping: Liberally sprinkle parmesan and mozzarella cheeses over the chicken, creating a decadent melted layer.
- Crispy Breadcrumb Coating: Combine panko breadcrumbs with olive oil and Italian seasoning, then evenly distribute over the cheese-topped chicken for added crunch and flavor.
- Baking Process: Roast uncovered for 25-30 minutes until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165F (75C), ensuring safe and thorough cooking.
- Final Crisp: Activate broiler for 2-3 minutes to achieve a golden, crispy exterior with beautiful caramelization.
- Resting and Serving: Allow dish to rest for 5 minutes, then garnish with fresh chopped parsley or additional parmesan. Serve alongside pasta, roasted potatoes, or a Caesar salad for a complete culinary experience.
Notes
- Calibrate Chicken Thickness: Pound chicken breasts to uniform thickness (about 1/2 inch) for even cooking and preventing dry edges.
- Monitor Internal Temperature: Use a meat thermometer to guarantee chicken reaches precisely 165F, avoiding overcooking and preserving juiciness.
- Adjust Breadcrumb Coating: Toast panko breadcrumbs beforehand for extra crunch, preventing soggy texture during baking.
- Customize Dietary Needs: Substitute Caesar dressing with Greek yogurt for lower-fat version or use gluten-free breadcrumbs for celiac-friendly adaptation.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 651
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 1016 mg
- Fat: 39 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 21 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 33 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 47 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg