Description
This Easy Baked Caesar Chicken recipe delivers a flavorful and simple one-dish meal featuring tender boneless chicken breasts topped with creamy Caesar dressing, melted provolone cheese, and a crunchy Caesar-style crouton crust. Perfect for a quick yet impressive dinner, it combines classic Caesar salad flavors with the convenience of baking in a single dish.
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). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
- Season the Chicken: Arrange the chicken breasts in a single layer in the baking dish. Season both sides evenly with salt and black pepper to enhance the flavor of the chicken.
- Add Caesar Dressing and Cheese: Spread the creamy Caesar dressing evenly over the entire surface of each chicken breast. Then, top each piece thoroughly with slices of provolone cheese, ensuring full coverage for rich, melty topping.
- Prepare and Add Crouton Topping: Place the Caesar-style croutons in a large Ziplock bag and crush them into small crumbs using a rolling pin or your hands. Sprinkle these crouton crumbs evenly over the cheese layer to add a crunchy texture.
- Bake the Chicken: Place the baking dish on the center oven rack and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through and the topping is golden brown. If the crumb topping browns too fast, loosely cover the dish with foil for the remaining baking time. Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
Notes
- For best results, pound chicken breasts to an even thickness to ensure even cooking.
- Use fresh Caesar-style croutons for the best texture in the topping.
- Feel free to substitute provolone with mozzarella or Swiss cheese for a different flavor profile.
- Tent with foil if the breadcrumb topping browns too quickly to prevent burning.
- Leftover chicken can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
