Baked Caesar Chicken

Baked Caesar chicken with a golden, caramelized Parmesan-Caesar crust. Marinate the chicken in Caesar dressing, then bake until the topping crackles and the centers reach 165°F for juicy results.

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Prep Time 10

Cook Time 25

marinating 20

Total Time 55

Servings: 4 servings

Course: Main Dish

Cuisine: American

Calories: 640

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

Chicken breasts

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts Pat dry before marinating for better browning.

Caesar marinade and topping

0.75 cup Caesar dressing Store-bought or homemade works; used for marinating and drizzling.
0.75 cup Parmesan cheese Freshly grated; divided for marinade and for the crust.
1 tsp garlic powder Adds savory aroma to the marinade.
1 tsp lemon zest Brightens the Caesar flavor.
0.5 cup panko breadcrumbs Provides a crunchy baked crust when pressed onto the chicken.

Seasoning

0.25 salt and pepper Season to taste in the marinade and/or before baking.

Serving

1 Fresh romaine Chopped for serving over the baked chicken.
1 croutons Serve on top for crunch.
0.25 cup extra Caesar dressing Drizzle just before serving.
1 shaved Parmesan Finish with extra shaved Parmesan for a nutty, salty top.

Equipment

1 sheet pan

Method

Marinate the chicken

Mix Caesar dressing, 1/2 cup Parmesan, garlic powder, and lemon zest, then season with salt and pepper to taste.
Marinate the chicken in the Caesar mixture for 20 minutes to absorb the flavor.

Build the crust and bake

Preheat the oven to 400°F and grease a baking dish.
Place the marinated chicken in the dish.
Combine remaining 1/4 cup Parmesan with panko breadcrumbs, then press the mixture over the top of each breast.
Bake for 22-25 minutes at 400°F until the crust is golden and crackled and the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

Serve

Top with chopped romaine and croutons, then drizzle with extra Caesar dressing.
Finish with shaved Parmesan and serve right away.

Notes

Pro tip: Press the panko-Parmesan firmly so it adheres and crisps during baking. Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container up to 3 days; reheat in a 350°F oven until warmed through. Freezing: not recommended due to texture of the crust. Dietary swap: use dairy-free Caesar dressing and a dairy-free Parmesan alternative to make it lactose-free (texture may be slightly softer).