Description
Chicken Parmesan Casserole is a comforting Italian-American classic that combines crispy breaded chicken with tender rigatoni pasta, marinara sauce, and loads of melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. This hearty casserole is perfect for family dinners, offering a deliciously cheesy, savory meal that’s easy to prepare.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta & Sauce
- ¾ pound rigatoni pasta
- 32 oz. marinara sauce (or up to 48 oz. for saucier pasta)
Cheese
- 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (divided)
- 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese (divided)
Chicken
- 2 small boneless skinless chicken breasts
- ¾ cup flour
- 2 teaspoons seasoned salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- 2 eggs
- 1 ½ cups Italian breadcrumbs
- ¾ cup vegetable oil
- 2 Tablespoons butter
Garnish
- Fresh parsley (to garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the rigatoni pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Bread the chicken: While the pasta water is heating, slice the chicken breasts if preferred, or use whole small breasts. Set up a breading station with three shallow dishes: one with flour mixed with seasoned salt and pepper, one with beaten eggs, and one with Italian breadcrumbs. Dredge the chicken pieces in the flour, then dip in the eggs, and finally coat thoroughly with the breadcrumbs.
- Fry the chicken: Heat vegetable oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Once hot, fry the breaded chicken pieces until golden brown and cooked through, about 4-5 minutes per side. Remove and drain on paper towels.
- Assemble the casserole: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). In a large baking dish, spread a layer of marinara sauce. Add the cooked rigatoni pasta and toss to coat well with the sauce. Layer the fried chicken on top. Sprinkle half of the shredded mozzarella and half of the grated Parmesan cheese over the chicken and pasta.
- Bake: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for about 25-30 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden on top.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from the oven, let it cool slightly, then sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley before serving.
Notes
- You can substitute crispy homemade breaded chicken with frozen chicken tenders or leftover rotisserie chicken for a shortcut.
- Adjust the amount of marinara sauce depending on how saucy you prefer your casserole.
- Using a combination of butter and vegetable oil for frying adds flavor and helps achieve a crispy crust on the chicken.
- This casserole can be prepared ahead and baked just before serving for convenience.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 599 kcal
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 1862 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 64 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 122 mg
