Creamy Parmesan Baked Caesar (Printable)
Tender chicken baked in luscious Caesar-Parmesan sauce with golden cheesy crust. Restaurant-level comfort in 40 minutes.
# What You'll Need:
→ Chicken
01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs)
02 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
03 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
→ Sauce
04 - 3/4 cup creamy Caesar dressing
05 - 1/2 cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
06 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
07 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
08 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
09 - 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
→ Topping
10 - 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
11 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
12 - 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (optional)
# Directions:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
02 - Pat chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Season both sides with salt and black pepper. Arrange in the prepared baking dish.
03 - In a medium bowl, combine Caesar dressing, sour cream (or Greek yogurt), grated Parmesan, minced garlic, Dijon mustard, and lemon juice. Mix until smooth.
04 - Spread the sauce evenly over the chicken breasts, ensuring they are fully coated.
05 - Sprinkle mozzarella and additional Parmesan over the top.
06 - Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through (internal temperature reaches 165°F) and the top is golden and bubbling.
07 - Let rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The sauce does double duty as both marinade and creamy topping, so you're not dirtying extra bowls or waiting around for flavor to develop
- That golden, bubbly cheese crust creates this incredible contrast against the tender chicken underneath, making every bite feel restaurant-quality
02 -
- If your chicken breasts are massive, slice them horizontally or pound them, because thick pieces will finish cooking way after the sauce burns
- The sauce will seem thin going into the oven, but it thickens beautifully as the chicken releases its juices and everything bubbles together
03 -
- Let the chicken come to room temperature for about 20 minutes before baking, which helps it cook more evenly
- Broil for the last 2 minutes if you want extra golden spots on the cheese, but watch it like a hawk so it doesn't burn