Description
This Easy Baked Caesar Chicken recipe offers a flavorful and comforting meal featuring tender chicken breasts topped with creamy Caesar dressing, provolone cheese, and crunchy Caesar-style croutons baked to golden perfection. Simple to prepare and perfect for weeknight dinners, this dish combines classic Caesar salad flavors with a satisfying baked chicken entree.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 2 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken breasts (pounded to an even thickness)
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Topping
- 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 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
- Arrange and Season Chicken: Place the chicken breasts in a single layer in the prepared baking dish. Season each piece evenly with salt and black pepper to enhance flavor.
- Add Caesar Dressing and Cheese: Spread the creamy Caesar dressing evenly across the top of all the chicken breasts. Next, cover each piece fully with slices of provolone cheese, ensuring good coverage.
- Prepare and Add Crouton Topping: Crush the Caesar-style croutons into fine crumbs using a large Ziplock bag or a rolling pin. Sprinkle the crushed croutons evenly over the cheese-covered chicken.
- Bake the Chicken: Place the baking dish on the center rack of the oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes. The chicken is done when the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and the topping is golden brown. If the crouton topping browns too fast, tent the dish loosely with foil for the remainder of the bake time.
Notes
- Pounding the chicken breasts to an even thickness ensures they cook evenly.
- Use Caesar-style croutons to keep authentic Caesar salad flavors in the topping.
- If you want a crispier topping, you can broil for 1-2 minutes at the end but watch carefully to avoid burning.
- Make sure the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F for safe consumption.
- This dish pairs well with a side of steamed vegetables or a light salad.
