Name: Easy Baked Caesar Chicken
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 35 min
Ingredients: 2 lbs chicken breast (boneless, skinless, thin); 6 tbsp creamy caesar dressing; 6 oz provolone cheese (sliced); 1 cup caesar style croutons; 1 tbsp butter; 1/4 tsp salt; 1/4 tsp pepper

Welcome to your new favorite weeknight dinner! This Baked Caesar Chicken recipe brings together tender chicken, creamy Caesar dressing, savory provolone, and crispy croutons in one fantastic dish. You’ll love how incredibly easy it is to prepare with minimal ingredients and just one pan for quick cleanup. Get ready for a family-friendly meal that delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort, perfect for busy evenings.

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Why You’ll Love This Baked Caesar Chicken Recipe

This simple yet satisfying Baked Caesar Chicken recipe is a game-changer for any busy kitchen.

One-pan meal: Enjoy minimal cleanup, making weeknights much smoother.
Quick prep: Spend only 5-10 minutes hands-on before it bakes itself.
Tender, juicy chicken: Every piece comes out perfectly cooked and moist.
Creamy, savory Caesar flavor: The dressing bakes into the chicken for incredible taste.
Crispy, buttery crouton topping: Adds a delightful texture contrast.
Kid-friendly: Even picky eaters often love the familiar flavors.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Gathering your ingredients for this easy Baked Caesar Chicken is straightforward. You’ll need 2 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken breast, preferably cut thin. Pick up 6 tablespoons of your favorite creamy Caesar dressing for that signature tangy flavor. Grab 6 ounces of sliced provolone cheese, perfect for melting. You’ll also need 1 cup of Caesar-style croutons for the crispy topping, 1 tablespoon of butter, and a simple seasoning of 1/4 teaspoon each of salt and pepper.

Notes & Substitutions

Chicken: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts work best for quick cooking. You can also use chicken thighs or tenderloins, adjusting baking time as needed until cooked through.
Dressing: A thick, creamy Caesar dressing ensures great coverage and flavor. Feel free to use your favorite store-bought brand or even a homemade Caesar dressing if you have one.
Cheese: Sliced provolone melts beautifully and offers a mild, savory note. Mozzarella, Swiss, or even a blend of Italian cheeses can work as substitutes for similar melt and flavor.
Croutons: Caesar-style croutons are ideal for the topping. If you don’t have them, plain croutons or even panko breadcrumbs mixed with a pinch of garlic powder and dried oregano are good alternatives.
Seasoning: Adjust the salt and pepper to your preference. A touch of garlic powder or onion powder can also enhance the flavor profile of the chicken before baking.

Equipment

You won’t need many special tools to make this delightful dish.

A large baking dish (9×13 inch works well) is essential for cooking everything together.
You’ll also need a rolling pin or a sturdy resealable bag to crush the croutons evenly.
A small microwave-safe bowl for melting butter will come in handy.
An instant-read meat thermometer ensures your chicken is cooked perfectly.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Get ready to create a delicious and simple meal with this Baked Caesar Chicken recipe. Follow these clear steps for perfect results every time.

First, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Place the 2 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken breasts flat in your large baking dish. Arrange them in a single layer to ensure even cooking. Season both sides of the chicken generously with 1/4 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper.

Next, spread the creamy Caesar dressing over each chicken breast. Aim for a nice thick layer, using about 1 to 2 tablespoons per piece, ensuring each one is fully coated. This dressing will infuse moisture and flavor into the chicken as it bakes, creating a wonderfully savory dish.

Once the dressing is applied, carefully place the sliced provolone cheese over each chicken breast, completely covering the dressed chicken. The cheese will melt down, forming a delicious, gooey layer.

Now, prepare your crispy topping. Crush 1 cup of Caesar-style croutons into fine crumbs using a rolling pin inside a resealable bag, or pulse them briefly in a food processor. Melt 1 tablespoon of butter in a small bowl. Add the crushed croutons to the melted butter and mix them thoroughly until they are all coated. This butter mixture helps the croutons crisp up beautifully in the oven.

Evenly spread the buttered crouton crumbs over the provolone cheese, covering the entire surface of the chicken. This creates a wonderful texture contrast.

Finally, bake the dish on the middle rack of your preheated oven at 375°F for 20-30 minutes. The cooking time will vary slightly depending on the thickness of your chicken. Look for the chicken to be cooked through, reaching an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C), and the crouton topping to be golden brown and crispy. According to the USDA, cooking chicken to 165°F ensures the destruction of harmful bacteria and safe consumption. If the top of the crumbs starts to brown too quickly, loosely cover the dish with aluminum foil for the remainder of the cook time to prevent burning.

Garnish your delightful Baked Caesar Chicken with fresh parsley if desired, for a pop of color. Serve immediately and enjoy this wonderfully easy and flavorful meal!

Pro Tips & Troubleshooting

Achieving perfect Caesar Chicken is simple with a few smart techniques. For even cooking, if your chicken breasts are very thick, slice them horizontally to create thinner cutlets. This helps ensure they cook through at the same rate as the toppings. Sliced cheese, like provolone, melts more consistently and creates a better barrier for the topping than shredded cheese, preventing it from sinking into the dressing. When crushing croutons, aim for a mix of fine crumbs and slightly larger pieces for the best texture contrast in your topping. If your topping is browning too quickly during baking, loosely tent the dish with aluminum foil. Always confirm the chicken is fully cooked by checking for an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) with an instant-read thermometer.

Serving, Storage, & Variations

Serving Suggestions

Salads: Serve alongside a simple garden salad, roasted beet salad, or a refreshing cucumber and tomato salad.
Vegetables: Pair with roasted green beans, steamed asparagus, sautéed broccoli, or glazed carrots for a complete meal.
Starches: Great with creamy mashed potatoes, fluffy white rice, crispy smashed potatoes, or even a side of buttered noodles.
Bread: Add some warm garlic bread, soft crescent rolls, or cheesy pesto bread to soak up any delicious juices.

Storage Instructions

Refrigerate any leftover Baked Caesar Chicken in an airtight container for 3-4 days. You can also freeze the cooked chicken for up to 2-3 months; wrap individual portions tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag. To reheat, thaw if frozen, then warm in a 350°F oven until heated through, or microwave for 1-2 minutes until hot. Note that the crumb topping may soften after freezing and reheating, but the flavor remains delicious.

Recipe Variations

Low Carb: For a low-carb version of this Caesar Chicken, simply omit the croutons entirely. You can also bake the croutons separately on a small sheet pan and serve them only to those who prefer them.
Freezer Meal: Assemble the chicken, dressing, and cheese in a freezer-safe baking dish, cover tightly, and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before adding the crouton topping and baking as directed.
Leftover Remixes: Transform leftovers into delicious new meals. Slice the chicken for Caesar wraps, chop it for a quick pasta dish, use it as a topping for homemade pizza, or add it to a loaded Caesar salad.

Nutrition Information

This delicious Baked Caesar Chicken is a hearty and satisfying meal. Each serving provides a substantial amount of protein and healthy fats.

Nutrient	Amount
Serving Size	0.5 lb chicken breast plus toppings
Calories	583 kcal
Carbohydrate Content	7 g
Protein Content	60 g
Fat Content	33 g
Saturated Fat Content	12 g
Cholesterol Content	190 mg
Sodium Content	1125 mg
Potassium Content	907 mg
Fiber Content	0 g
Sugar Content	0 g
Vitamin A	530 IU
Vitamin C	2.7 mg
Calcium	349 mg
Iron	1.6 mg

Please note: Nutritional information is an estimate based on ingredients and preparation methods. Actual values may vary depending on specific brands and portion sizes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use light or fat-free Caesar dressing?

Yes, you can! Just be aware that light or fat-free dressings might be thinner, so they might not coat the chicken as thickly. They could also alter the overall richness of the Baked Caesar Chicken flavor slightly.

Do I bake Caesar chicken covered or uncovered?

You bake this Caesar Chicken uncovered to allow the topping to get crispy and golden brown. However, if the croutons start to brown too quickly, loosely tent the dish with foil for the remaining cook time.

Can I make this Caesar Chicken low carb?

Absolutely! To make this dish low carb, simply omit the crouton topping. You can also serve it with a side salad and your favorite low-carb vegetables for a complete meal.

Conclusion

This Easy Baked Caesar Chicken recipe truly proves that delicious, homemade meals don’t have to be complicated. With minimal ingredients, simple steps, and just one pan, you can create a flavorful, family-friendly dinner that everyone will love. It’s perfect for busy parents and beginners looking for a reliable, tasty recipe. Give this incredible dish a try tonight and discover your new go-to weeknight hero! We’d love to hear how it turned out; please rate and comment below.