Chicken Parmesan Casserole

A certified restaurant classic, Chicken Parmesan Casserole is a perfect addition to a regular weeknight meal rotation. However, to make it even easier, and somehow tastier, this turns regular chicken Parmesan into a bit of a casserole.

Rather than buying croutons, why not learn How to Make Buttery, Garlicky Homemade Croutons! You could also make your own Marinara Sauce to use in your casserole! 

Chicken Parmesan Casserole

Everyone loves chicken Parmesan, but it is typically one of those meals that most of us only get to enjoy at restaurants or on long weekends when we have extra time to spend in the kitchen.

It’s not that chicken Parmesan is an overly complicated meal, but more that it can be time-consuming and requires far too much cleanup for a regular meal. Setting up a breadcrumb and coating station complete with separate egg wash and breadcrumb mixture bowls, and then having to coat each individual piece of chicken is just not what you want after a busy day.

This chicken Parmesan casserole solves all of your problems though, removing any potential mess or the need to spend hours in the kitchen. You still get the rich combination of tomato-smothered chicken, a little breaded texture, and cheese topping only without having to prepare each piece of chicken separately!

Could You Use Chicken Thighs?

Chicken breasts are typically used for making chicken Parmesan as they are the most consistent in shape and thickness, making them easier to cook to perfection. Saying that, there is no reason why you can’t use chicken thighs in your casserole; in fact, you might even find that you prefer them!

Chicken thighs are much juicier than breasts, making them much harder to overcook, which is always a benefit when baking casseroles! Thighs also have a stronger, more meaty taste, allowing them to really shine through the sauce and cheesy topping.

When using thighs to make your casserole, you want to make sure that they are deboned and skinless because no one wants to be biting into soggy chicken skin that has not had the chance to crisp up.

Depending on the thickness of the thighs though, you might also want to use a meat tenderizer to flatten them out for a more consistent cooking time.

Crumbled Croutons Vs. Whole Chunks

The croutons form a little bit of a crunchy layer on top of your casserole, providing a textural contrast as you bite into it. They also replicate the traditional breaded coating that most people are used to with chicken Parmesan.

You can sprinkle your croutons on the top of your casserole whole or crumble them for a more breadcrumb-style coating. Both options work great; it just depends on your personal taste and the size of your croutons.

If you choose to keep the croutons whole this works best with smaller croutons, as they fit onto a forkful. Larger croutons will dominate and you’ll probably find yourself wanting to break them apart with your fork in order to get a balanced mouthful.

Crumbling your croutons onto the top of the casserole will lose you some of that crunch as you bite into them, instead of providing you with a more homogeneous mouth feel. If you want to recreate the texture of traditional chicken Parmesan in casserole form, crumbling the croutons is definitely the way to go!

How To Tell When Your Casserole Has Reached A Safe Temperature

When cooking chicken breasts you obviously want to ensure they are thoroughly cooked to a safe temperature. At the same time, you don’t want to overcook them resulting in that unpleasant chalky texture that chicken breasts all too often have.

The best way to check whether your chicken Parmesan casserole is done is to use an instant-read thermometer. The thickest part of the chicken should be at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit as this is the recommended safe temperature to eat chicken breasts.

An instant-read thermometer is a kitchen essential that, once you have it, you will find yourself using it all the time and wondering how you ever lived without it.

While there are some expensive instant-read thermometers out there, don’t be put off, because you can also find some very affordable options that work just as well!

Vegetable Sides To Serve With Your Chicken Parmesan

It is tempting to eat your chicken Parmesan casserole on its own, losing yourself in the tomato, cheesy goodness. However, you will thank yourself later for serving a balanced meal complete with a side of veggies.

• Green Beans

Green beans are a classic side dish providing a pop of color to almost any dish and also ticking the box of having eaten something green and therefore healthy.

There is really no wrong way to cook green beans. The simplest is to steam them and then serve them with a little salt and pepper. Or you could roast green beans with any extra minced garlic that you have and a drizzle of olive oil.

• Creamed Spinach

If you’re not a fan of green vegetables there is no better way to sneak them into your diet than with a side of creamed spinach.

The rich creaminess from the sauce almost makes you forget you’re eating spinach!

• Roasted Mushrooms

Since you already have the oven on to cook your casserole roasted vegetables make for a perfect pairing. Why not try roasting a side of mushrooms with garlic, butter, and some flaky salt for a simple but delicious side dish?

Looking for more delicious Casserole recipes? Try these out:

• Easy King Ranch Chicken Casserole
• Mushroom Soup Chicken & Rice Casserole
• Tex Mex Chicken & Rice Bake

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