Description
This Easy Baked Caesar Chicken recipe combines tender, juicy chicken breasts with creamy Caesar dressing, melted provolone cheese, and a crispy crouton topping baked to golden perfection. It’s a straightforward and flavorful meal perfect for a quick weeknight dinner that serves four.
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 and Prepare Baking Dish: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish lightly with cooking spray or butter to prevent sticking.
- Arrange and Season Chicken: Place the pounded chicken breasts in a single layer in the prepared baking dish. Season both sides evenly with ¼ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon black pepper for balanced flavor.
- Add Dressing and Cheese: Spread ½ cup of creamy Caesar dressing evenly over each chicken breast. Next, layer the 8 slices of provolone cheese on top, ensuring each piece of chicken is fully covered by cheese to lock in moisture and add richness.
- Prepare Crouton Topping: Place 1 cup of Caesar-style croutons into a large resealable plastic bag and crush them into fine crumbs using your hands or a rolling pin. Sprinkle these crouton crumbs evenly over the cheese layer for a crispy topping.
- Bake and Monitor: Bake the chicken on the center rack of the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked and the crumb topping is golden brown. To prevent over-browning of the topping, loosely cover the dish with aluminum foil midway if it begins to brown too quickly. The chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
Notes
- For even cooking, ensure chicken breasts are pounded to a uniform thickness before baking.
- You can substitute provolone with mozzarella or another mild melting cheese if preferred.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven to maintain crispiness.
- Use store-bought or homemade Caesar dressing depending on your taste preference; thicker dressings work best for coating the chicken.
- To make the dish gluten-free, substitute regular croutons with gluten-free varieties.
