Description
This Easy Baked Caesar Chicken recipe features tender, juicy chicken breasts coated with creamy Caesar dressing, topped with provolone cheese and crunchy crouton crumbs. Baked to golden perfection, this dish offers a delicious twist on classic Caesar flavors, perfect for a quick and satisfying weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 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 and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
- Season Chicken: Arrange the pounded chicken breasts in a single layer in the prepared baking dish. Season both sides evenly with salt and black pepper to enhance flavor.
- Dress and Layer: Spread the creamy Caesar dressing evenly over the top of each chicken breast. Then, cover each piece with sliced provolone cheese, ensuring the cheese fully blankets the chicken for rich, melty goodness.
- Prepare Crouton Topping: Crush the Caesar-style croutons into coarse crumbs by placing them in a large Ziplock bag and breaking them with your hands or a rolling pin. Evenly sprinkle these crouton crumbs over the cheese layer on the chicken.
- Bake: Place the baking dish on the center rack of the oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes. Bake until the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F) and the topping is golden brown. If the crouton topping browns too quickly, tent the dish loosely with foil for the remainder of the baking time to prevent burning.
Notes
- Pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness to ensure even cooking.
- Use a meat thermometer to check that the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F for safety.
- If croutons brown too fast, covering with foil helps maintain a golden, not burnt, topping.
- You can substitute provolone with mozzarella or Swiss cheese if preferred.
- For a lower-fat version, opt for low-fat Caesar dressing and cheese.
