Description
A comforting one-dish meal that combines the flavors of Chicken Parmesan with the convenience of a dump-and-bake approach, featuring tender chicken and cheesy goodness.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 (16 oz) package uncooked penne pasta
- 3 cups marinara sauce (about 1 jar, 24 oz)
- 3 cups water
- 1 tsp salt
- Ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 ½ lbs raw chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1–2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (or Italian cheese blend)
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup Panko breadcrumbs
- Optional: Fresh chopped herbs like basil or parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°F and lightly coat a 13×9-inch baking dish with nonstick spray.
- In the prepared baking dish, combine the uncooked penne, marinara sauce, water, salt, pepper, and raw chicken pieces.
- Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil to trap moisture and bake for 30 minutes.
- After 30 minutes, carefully remove the foil and stir. The pasta will be slightly firm with some liquid remaining.
- Top the dish with shredded mozzarella, breadcrumbs, and Parmesan cheese.
- Bake uncovered for an additional 10-15 minutes until the cheese is melted and golden brown.
- Optional: Garnish with fresh herbs before serving. Enjoy!
Notes
For best results, do not overcook the chicken and feel free to experiment with different cheese blends.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
Keywords: chicken casserole, dump-and-bake, easy dinner, family meal