Chicken Parmesan Casserole

Name: Chicken Parmesan Casserole
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 35 min
Ingredients: 12 ounces tube-shaped pasta ((like rigatoni, penne, or ziti)); 28 ounces marinara sauce; 1 pound crispy chicken strips ((fully cooked, thawed)); 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese; 1 cup grated parmesan cheese

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Chicken Parmesan Casserole is an easy 5-ingredient meal that the entire family will love! Plus, this recipe comes together in 10 minutes and is great for weeknight dinners.

Chicken Parmesan Casserole in a white casserole dish with a piece cut out of it.

If you want a comforting and simple dish to serve your family, be sure to try this easy 5-ingredient Chicken Parmesan Casserole! With all of the classic flavors you love, with a lot less time and mess.

And, yes, I realize that this is a far cry from the traditional way to make Chicken Parmesan. However, give this recipe a try and you will see that this is a great shortcut version that has all of those classic flavors you love.

Table of Contents

Why this recipe is the best!

Making traditional Chicken Parmesan is a messy endeavor. It involves dredging the chicken breasts in flour, then egg, then a bread crumb mixture, followed by a pan fry.

This simple casserole takes all of the hassle out of dredging and frying the chicken by using store-bought frozen chicken tenders. Once you mix these tenders with the sauce, cheese, and pasta, the dish perfectly mimics those classic flavors you love, with a lot less work.

Plus, this recipe comes together in just minutes. All you have to do is dice the chicken and boil the pasta. Mix all of the ingredients together and you’re done.

And, if you’re craving classic comfort food this pasta recipe is for you. It’s perfect for entertaining or a quick weeknight dinner. Plus, the leftovers are amazing.

Recipe Ingredients

overhead photo of the ingredients required to make the recipe including marinara sauce, pasta, cheeses, and chicken tenders.

This recipe couldn’t be easier to make. You only need five ingredients: marinara sauce, pasta, mozzarella, parmesan, and frozen chicken tenders.

Pasta: I like to use a round tube-shaped pasta for this dish like penne, rigatoni, or ziti. It is a hearty pasta shape that holds up well for a casserole.
Marinara: You can use your favorite store-bought marinara sauce or try this Simple Marinara Sauce recipe. If you are using store-bought, use a good quality sauce like Rao’s or Victoria.
Frozen Chicken Tenders: You can find frozen chicken tenders in your grocery freezer section. You can thaw them ahead of time in the refrigerator to make them easier to cut. This would also work with leftover chicken tenders from a restaurant or dinner.

Read on to see how easy it is to make this simple and delicious dinner.

How to Make Chicken Parmesan Casserole

This 5-ingredient meal comes together fast! With these shortcuts, you’ll have a delicious and comforting meal on the table in no time!

To start, you will need to boil your pasta until just al dente. While the pasta boils, dice the chicken into strips or bite-sized pieces (step 1). If your chicken tenders are frozen, you may need to microwave them for a minute so they are easier to cut.

process shot photo showing how to make the recipe, steps 1 through 4.

When the pasta is al dente, drain it and pour it into a large mixing bowl. Add in the diced crispy chicken, most of the marinara sauce, 2 cups mozzarella, and ½ cup of parmesan (step 2).

Mix together the ingredients until combined (step 3). Pour the mixture into a large baking dish and top with remaining marinara sauce, and sprinkle on remaining cheeses.

Bake the dish in a preheated oven for about 25-30 minutes until bubbly and warmed through. Let sit for 5 minutes before serving.

Large white casserole dish filled with the pasta and lots of melted mozzarella cheese on top.

Recipe Tips and FAQs

Be sure to read these tips and FAQs to ensure that your recipe comes out perfect!

Use a high quality marinara sauce for this recipe. Homemade is a great option, but if using store-bought try a brand like Rao’s for maximum flavor.
Cook the pasta until just al dente (see box instructions) so that you don’t end up with a mushy casserole.
Frozen crispy chicken tenders are a great shortcut for this recipe. Make sure you buy the brand that is precooked. Thaw the chicken, or microwave for a minute, to make cutting easier.
Make the meal complete by adding two cups of cooked veggies, like broccoli, to the casserole.

Can you make Chicken Parmesan Casserole ahead?

This recipe can be prepped ahead, refrigerated, and baked prior to serving. You will need to add an additional 5-10 minutes to the bake time to ensure that the casserole is heated through.

Is this a freezer friendly meal?

Chicken Parmesan Casserole is perfect for freezing. Prepare the recipe right until the instruction to bake the dish. Then cover tightly with plastic wrap and foil and freeze until ready to bake. Thaw in the refrigerator before baking, or bake straight from the freezer, until warmed through and bubbly.

What to serve with Chicken Parmesan?

For this hearty dish, you want to serve a delicious veggie or salad to go along with it. Check out these favorites:

And for a delicious Italian side dish, try these Peas and Pancetta or a simple Italian Tomato Onion Salad with a delicious balsamic vinegar dressing.

For another complete and easy chicken dish, check out Baked Ravioli with Chicken and Broccoli or my easy One-Pot Chicken and Broccoli Tortellini.

serving of chicken parmesan casserole on a white plate with a fork sitting on a red and white checkered napkin.

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