Parmesan Chicken Casserole

This Parmesan Chicken Casserole is creamy, cheesy, savory, and incredibly easy to put together. Tender chicken is covered in a rich Parmesan mixture, topped with buttery breadcrumbs, and baked until hot, bubbly, and golden on top.

It is the kind of comforting family dinner that works perfectly for busy weeknights because the ingredients are simple and the prep takes only a few minutes. Serve it with mashed potatoes, pasta, rice, green beans, or a crisp salad for an easy complete meal.

Why You Will Love This Recipe

This casserole gives you plenty of flavor without complicated preparation. Sour cream and mayonnaise help keep the chicken moist, Parmesan adds a salty, nutty flavor, and the crispy breadcrumb topping provides the perfect contrast to the creamy filling.

You can prepare the casserole ahead of time, customize the seasonings, or use chicken breasts or thighs depending on what you have available.

Ingredients

2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

For the Crispy Topping

3/4 cup Italian breadcrumbs or panko breadcrumbs
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons butter, melted
1/2 teaspoon dried parsley

Ingredient Notes

Chicken: Use fully thawed boneless chicken breasts and cut very thick pieces horizontally if necessary so they cook evenly.

Parmesan: Freshly grated Parmesan gives the sauce the best flavor and melts more smoothly than many pre-shredded varieties.

Sour cream: Sour cream adds richness and a slight tang while helping protect the chicken from drying out.

Breadcrumbs: Panko creates the crunchiest topping, while Italian breadcrumbs provide additional seasoning.

How to Make Parmesan Chicken Casserole

Preheat the oven to 375°F.
Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels.
If the chicken breasts are especially thick, slice them horizontally or pound them gently to an even thickness.
Arrange the chicken in a single layer in the prepared baking dish.
Season lightly with salt and black pepper.

Make the Creamy Parmesan Topping

In a medium bowl, combine the sour cream and mayonnaise.
Add 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan, minced garlic, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, and black pepper.
Stir until smooth and evenly combined.
Spread the Parmesan mixture evenly over the chicken.
Sprinkle the mozzarella cheese over the creamy layer.

Add the Crispy Breadcrumb Topping

Combine the breadcrumbs, 1/4 cup Parmesan, melted butter, and dried parsley in a small bowl.
Mix until the breadcrumbs are evenly coated with butter.
Sprinkle the mixture evenly over the casserole.

Bake the Chicken Casserole

Place the casserole uncovered in the preheated oven.
Bake for approximately 30 to 40 minutes, depending on the thickness of the chicken.
The casserole should be bubbling and the breadcrumb topping should be golden brown.
Check the thickest part of the chicken with an instant-read thermometer.
The chicken is ready when it reaches at least 165°F.
Let the casserole rest for about five minutes before serving.
Garnish with fresh parsley and extra Parmesan if desired.

How to Keep the Chicken Tender

The most important step is making sure the chicken pieces are reasonably even in thickness. If one end is very thin and the other is thick, the thinner section may dry out before the center finishes cooking.

Also avoid baking longer than necessary. Start checking the chicken near the 30-minute mark and remove it from active cooking once the thickest part reaches 165°F.

How to Get a Golden Crispy Top

The buttered breadcrumb mixture should naturally become golden during baking. If you want additional browning, switch the oven to broil for one to two minutes at the end.

Watch carefully because breadcrumbs and Parmesan can brown very quickly under the broiler.

Easy Variations

For spinach Parmesan chicken, add a layer of chopped baby spinach underneath the creamy topping.

For mushroom Parmesan chicken, sauté sliced mushrooms first and scatter them around the chicken before baking.

For extra garlic flavor, increase the fresh garlic to four or five cloves.

For a little heat, add crushed red pepper flakes or a pinch of cayenne to the Parmesan mixture.

You can also replace part of the mozzarella with provolone, Monterey Jack, or shredded Italian-blend cheese.

Turn It Into a Complete Casserole

To make this dish even heartier, add cooked pasta underneath the chicken. Penne, rotini, or egg noodles work especially well.

Toss the pasta with a little Alfredo sauce or marinara before adding the chicken and Parmesan topping.

You can also arrange thinly sliced cooked potatoes underneath the chicken for a creamy chicken-and-potato casserole.

What to Serve with Parmesan Chicken Casserole

Mashed potatoes are one of the best options because they pair perfectly with the creamy Parmesan sauce.

You can also serve the casserole with buttered noodles, rice, roasted potatoes, or garlic bread.

For vegetables, try steamed broccoli, green beans, asparagus, Brussels sprouts, carrots, or a simple garden salad.

Make-Ahead Instructions

You can assemble the chicken and creamy Parmesan layer several hours ahead. Cover tightly and refrigerate until you are ready to bake.

For the crunchiest texture, prepare the breadcrumb topping separately and sprinkle it over the casserole immediately before baking.

If baking directly from the refrigerator, allow a little additional cooking time and always verify that the chicken reaches 165°F.

Storage and Reheating

Store cooled leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three to four days.

Reheat covered in a 350°F oven until steaming hot, or microwave individual portions in short intervals.

The oven or air fryer is best when you want to restore some crispness to the breadcrumb topping.

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