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.

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.

Love this recipe? Please leave a 5-star rating in the recipe card below and/or review in the comments section further down the page.

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Chicken Parmesan Caserole.

Chicken Parmesan Casserole

Just 5 ingredients needed to make this irresistible Chicken Parmesan Casserole. Save time by using frozen chicken tenders and store-bought marinara sauce.
5 from 9 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 491kcal
Cost: 9-10

Equipment

  • Casserole Dish

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

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Bring a large pot of water to boil. Cook pasta until al dente, according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
  • Dice the crispy chicken strips into bite-sized chunks. In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, diced chicken, marinara sauce (less one cup), 2 cups of mozzarella, and ½ cup of parmesan.
  • Pour the pasta mixture into a large casserole dish. Top with remaining marinara sauce and cheeses. Bake for 25-30 minutes until bubbly and warm. To brown the top, increase the temperature to 425 degrees and bake for about 5 more minutes.

Video

Notes

Recipe Tips: 
  • 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.
  • To make ahead, prepare the entire dish and refrigerate. Bake when ready to serve. 

Nutrition

Calories: 491kcal | Carbohydrates: 39g | Protein: 45g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 117mg | Sodium: 1108mg | Potassium: 890mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 856IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 378mg | Iron: 2mg
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Recipe Rating




7 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Just the recipe I need for a quick weekday meal. Chicken Parmesan is a firm favourite in our house, thanks for sharing the recipe.

  2. 5 stars
    I love chicken Parmsesan and this casserole has all the flavors, while being super simple to put together. A fantastic week night meal my family loves.