Chicken and Parmesan Casserole Recipe

Answer 1

If you're looking for a cheesy pasta dish with a grown up kick, our chicken and parmesan casserole recipe is the perfect choice. It's a great way to use up leftover chicken, and instead of a bland cheesy overcoat, this chicken will be covered in a flavorful blanket of spicy parmesan. Yum.

Chicken and Parmesan Casserole Recipe

Ingredients

4 cups cooked boneless, skinless chicken breast, chopped or shredded 1 jar marinara sauce, (approx. 20 oz. Use your favorite.) 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded 2/3 cup Parmesan cheese 2 tbsp. olive oil 1 cup Italian bread crumbs 1 tsp. dried oregano 1 tsp. garlic powder 1/2 tsp. dried basil Salt and pepper to taste 1 pound cooked ziti (optional)

Directions

In a medium sized mixing bowl, combine chicken and spaghetti sauce. Stir to incorporate. Add chicken mixture to a greased 9" by 9" casserole pan or baking dish. Top with shredded mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. In the same medium sized mixing bowl, combine olive oil, Italian breadcrumbs, oregano, garlic and basil. Toss to incorporate. Add salt and pepper to taste. Pour breadcrumb mixture in an even layer over the chicken and cheese. Bake in the center rack of a 350 degree Fahrenheit oven for 25 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and slightly brown in spots.

Recipe serves 6

Serving suggestions:

This dish is delicious served over a bed of ziti or spaghetti. Excellent accompaniments include: garlic bread, green salad (or Caprese salad) and a nice Chianti.

Ingredient additions: For a somewhat more grownup taste and texture, add a half cup of lightly sautéed mushrooms and a quarter cup sliced black olives with the marinara sauce.