The sun has set on another Sunday. As the weekend winds down, I find myself craving a meal that feels like a warm, cozy blanket—something simple, satisfying, and guaranteed to soothe the soul. On nights like these, there is nothing, and I mean nothing, that hits the spot quite like this Cheesy Baked Chicken Dinner Recipe. It is, without a doubt, the ultimate culinary hug.
This is the meal you make when you need pure, unadulterated comfort without any fuss. We’re talking tender, juicy chicken breasts nestled in a rich marinara sauce, all tucked under a generous blanket of gooey, melty mozzarella and a crispy, golden-brown Parmesan breadcrumb topping. The aroma that fills your kitchen as it bakes is worth the price of admission alone.
Forget complicated steps and a long list of ingredients. This is a simple „layer and bake“ situation that the oven handles for you, leaving you free to relax. It’s a family-friendly, crowd-pleasing dish that delivers on every comforting promise it makes. Let’s get cozy and make dinner.
Your Go-To Recipe for a Cozy Night In
The inspiration for this recipe isn’t complicated; it’s a love letter to one of the most perfect culinary combinations known to humanity: chicken, tomato sauce, and melted cheese. It takes the best parts of a classic Chicken Parmesan, simplifies the process, and turns it into an effortless bake. There’s no breading or frying, just pure, simple assembly that leads to a spectacularly delicious result. It’s the kind of dish that feels both nostalgic and new, and it has become my go-to for a guaranteed win at the dinner table.
Why This Recipe is an Instant Family Favorite:
- Supremely Easy to Assemble: This is a true „dump and bake“ style recipe. If you can layer ingredients in a dish, you can master this meal.
- The Ultimate Crowd-Pleaser: Gooey cheese, savory chicken, and a crispy topping—what’s not to love? It’s a certified hit with both kids and adults.
- Minimal Active Cooking Time: You’ll spend about 15 minutes prepping, and then the oven does all the hard work. It’s the perfect low-effort, high-reward dinner.
- Amazing Textural Contrast: You get it all: the juicy chicken, the rich sauce, the glorious „cheese pull“ from the mozzarella, and the perfect crunch from the toasted breadcrumb topping.
Ingredients & Equipment
For the Cheesy Baked Chicken:
- Chicken Breasts: 4 medium boneless, skinless (about 170g / 6 oz each).
- Salt and Black Pepper: To season the chicken.
- Garlic Powder: 1 teaspoon.
- Marinara Sauce: 680g (about 24 oz) of your favorite store-bought marinara or pasta sauce. A good quality sauce makes a big difference!
- Shredded Mozzarella Cheese (Mozzarella): 225g (2 cups). Low-moisture mozzarella melts best.
- Panko Breadcrumbs: 50g (½ cup). Panko makes for an extra crispy topping, but regular breadcrumbs work too.
- Grated Parmesan Cheese (Parmesankäse): 25g (¼ cup).
- Unsalted Butter: 2 tablespoons, melted.
- Dried Italian Seasoning: 1 teaspoon.
- Fresh Basil or Parsley: Chopped, for garnish (optional).
Time Estimates
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Total Time: 40-45 minutes (mostly hands-off!)
Step-by-Step Instructions
Let’s assemble this dish of pure comfort. It’s as easy as it sounds.
Step 1: Prepare Oven and Chicken Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F). Lightly grease your baking dish. Place the chicken breasts on a cutting board, cover with plastic wrap, and gently pound them to an even thickness of about 1.5 cm (½ inch). This is the secret to ensuring they cook evenly and stay juicy! Pat the chicken dry and season both sides with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
Step 2: Prepare the Crispy Topping In a small bowl, combine the Panko breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, melted butter, and dried Italian seasoning. Use a fork to toss everything together until the breadcrumbs are evenly moistened.
Step 3: Assemble the Layers Now for the fun part! Spread about half of the marinara sauce evenly over the bottom of your prepared baking dish. Arrange the seasoned chicken breasts on top of the sauce in a single layer.
Step 4: Add More Sauce and Cheese Pour the remaining marinara sauce over the chicken breasts. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the sauce, covering the chicken completely.
Step 5: Top and Bake Sprinkle the prepared Parmesan breadcrumb mixture evenly over the mozzarella cheese. Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes.
Step 6: Check for Doneness The dish is ready when the cheese is melted and bubbly, the topping is golden brown, and the chicken is cooked through. The safest way to check is with a meat thermometer, which should read 74°C (165°F) in the thickest part of the chicken.
Step 7: Rest and Serve Let the chicken bake rest for 5 minutes before serving. This allows the cheese and sauce to set up a bit. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley if you like, and serve hot.
Notes, Tips, & Variations
- The Key to Juicy Chicken: I can’t stress this enough—pounding the chicken to an even thickness is the most important step for preventing dry spots.
- Cheese Variations: Feel free to use other good melting cheeses! A mix of provolone and mozzarella would be delicious, or try Gouda or Fontina for a different flavor profile.
- Make it Ahead: This is a fantastic make-ahead meal. You can assemble the entire dish (without the breadcrumb topping), cover it, and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours. When you’re ready to eat, add the topping and bake as directed, adding 5-10 minutes to the cooking time.
- Serving Suggestions: This cheesy chicken is a natural partner for pasta—serve it alongside or on top of spaghetti or penne. It’s also wonderful with a side of roasted broccoli, a simple green salad, or my 5-Minute Cheesy Garlic Bread for dipping.
Ultimate Cheesy Baked Chicken Dinner Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 medium boneless skinless chicken breasts
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 680 g 24 oz marinara sauce
- 225 g 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 50 g ½ cup Panko breadcrumbs
- 25 g ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter melted
- 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning
- Optional garnish: Fresh basil or parsley
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 200°C (400°F). Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
- Pound chicken breasts to an even ½-inch thickness. Season both sides with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
- In a small bowl, mix together Panko breadcrumbs, Parmesan, melted butter, and Italian seasoning.
- Spread half of the marinara sauce in the bottom of the dish. Place chicken on top.
- Pour the remaining sauce over the chicken. Sprinkle evenly with mozzarella cheese.
- Top with the breadcrumb mixture.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, until the topping is golden, the sauce is bubbly, and the chicken is cooked to an internal temperature of 74°C (165°F).
- Let rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh herbs if desired.
Notes
- Pounding the chicken to an even thickness ensures it stays juicy.
- Assemble up to 24 hours ahead (without topping) and refrigerate for an easy weeknight meal.
- Serve with pasta, salad, or garlic bread.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. How do I keep my baked chicken breasts from getting dry? The single most effective trick is to pound the chicken to an even thickness before baking. This ensures that the thinner parts don’t overcook and dry out while you’re waiting for the thicker parts to cook through. Using a good amount of sauce also helps keep the chicken moist.
2. Can I prepare this cheesy chicken bake ahead of time? Yes, this dish is perfect for meal prep! You can fully assemble it (steps 3, 4, and 5, but hold off on adding the breadcrumb topping), cover it tightly, and store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. When you’re ready to cook, add the breadcrumb topping and bake, adding about 5-10 extra minutes to the baking time since it will be starting from cold.
3. What’s the best kind of cheese to use? Low-moisture, pre-shredded mozzarella is fantastic for achieving that classic, super-stretchy cheese pull. For flavor, you can’t beat Parmesan. But feel free to experiment! Provolone, Gouda, or a mild cheddar would also be delicious.
4. What should I serve with this cheesy baked chicken? This dish is incredibly versatile. It’s most commonly served with a side of pasta (like spaghetti or penne) to soak up the extra sauce. It’s also wonderful with a simple side salad with a light vinaigrette, steamed green beans, roasted broccoli, or a warm slice of garlic bread.
Did You Make This Comfort Classic?
I truly hope this recipe brings a little warmth and happiness to your dinner table. There’s nothing quite like pulling a bubbly, golden dish of cheesy goodness out of the oven. If you make it, I would absolutely love it if you left a comment and a star rating below!
For more easy and comforting dinner ideas, be sure to follow me on Pinterest and Instagram. Your cozy night in is just a bake away! And Try out my Asian-Inspired Teriyaki Chicken Dinner Recipe.