Description
This Easy Baked Caesar Chicken recipe is a delicious and simple way to enjoy juicy chicken breasts topped with creamy Caesar dressing, melted provolone cheese, and crispy Caesar-style croutons, all baked to golden perfection in under 35 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 2 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken breasts (pounded to an even thickness)
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Toppings
- ½ cup creamy Caesar dressing
- 8 slices provolone cheese
- 1 cup Caesar-style croutons
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking and set it aside.
- Arrange and Season Chicken: Place the pounded chicken breasts in a single layer inside the greased baking dish. Season each piece evenly with salt and black pepper for balanced flavor.
- Add Caesar Dressing and Cheese: Spread the creamy Caesar dressing evenly over the surface of each chicken breast. Then, top each piece thoroughly with slices of provolone cheese, ensuring full coverage.
- Crush and Sprinkle Croutons: Place the Caesar-style croutons into a large Ziplock bag and crush them into crumbs using your hands or a rolling pin. Evenly sprinkle the crushed croutons over the cheese-covered chicken breasts to add a crunchy texture.
- Bake the Chicken: Place the baking dish on the center rack of your preheated oven. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked (internal temperature reaches 165°F) and the crumb topping turns golden brown. If the crumbs start browning too fast, loosely cover the dish with foil to prevent burning and continue baking until done.
Notes
- Pounding the chicken breasts to an even thickness ensures even cooking and juicy results.
- If you prefer a sharper cheese flavor, you can substitute provolone with Parmesan or mozzarella.
- Use store-bought Caesar dressing or homemade for enhanced flavor.
- Monitor the croutons during baking to prevent burning; tent with foil if necessary.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
