Description
This Easy Baked Caesar Chicken recipe combines tender, juicy chicken breasts with creamy Caesar dressing, melted provolone cheese, and a crunchy Caesar-style crouton topping. It’s a simple yet flavorful dish perfect for a weeknight dinner that’s ready in just over half an hour.
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 Oven and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent the chicken from sticking and to facilitate easy cleanup.
- Arrange and Season Chicken: Place the pounded chicken breasts in a single layer inside the prepared baking dish. Season each piece evenly with ¼ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon black pepper for balanced flavor.
- Apply Caesar Dressing and Cheese: Evenly spread ½ cup of creamy Caesar dressing over all the chicken breasts. Then, top each breast completely with slices of provolone cheese to add richness and melt beautifully during baking.
- Prepare and Add Crouton Topping: Crush 1 cup of Caesar-style croutons into crumbs using a large Ziplock bag. Sprinkle the crouton crumbs evenly over the cheese layer to create a crunchy, golden topping.
- Bake Until Done: Place the dish on the center oven rack and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked and the topping turns golden brown. If the topping browns too quickly, loosely cover the dish with foil for the remainder of the baking time. Confirm the chicken is done when the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
Notes
- For best results, pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness to ensure uniform cooking.
- Use Caesar-style croutons to complement the dressing’s flavor profile; plain croutons can be substituted if unavailable.
- If you want a crispier topping, broil for 1-2 minutes at the end of baking but watch closely to prevent burning.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven for best texture.
