30-Minute Chicken Parmesan Casserole: Comfort Food Made Simple

When you’re craving all the cozy Italian flavors of classic Chicken Parmesan but don’t have the time (or energy) to bread, fry, and layer, this 30-Minute Chicken Parmesan Casserole is your new weeknight hero. Juicy chicken, rich marinara sauce, melty mozzarella, and crispy breadcrumbs come together in one bubbling dish of pure comfort — all ready in half an hour.

This recipe takes the stress out of traditional chicken parm without losing any of its signature flavor. With just a handful of pantry ingredients and a single baking dish, you’ll have a crowd-pleasing, cheesy, saucy meal that tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen.

Why You’ll Love This Casserole

• Dinner in 30 Minutes: Perfect for busy weeknights or lazy Sundays.
• Minimal Cleanup: Just one dish and a few bowls — that’s it.
• Classic Italian Flavor: All the richness of traditional Chicken Parmesan without breading or frying.
• Crowd-Pleasing Comfort Food: Loved by kids and adults alike.
• Great for Leftovers: Reheats beautifully and tastes even better the next day.

Ingredients

• 3 cups cooked chicken breast, chopped or shredded
• 2 cups marinara sauce (store-bought or homemade)
• 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
• 1 cup seasoned breadcrumbs (or crushed croutons)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil (for drizzling)
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Fresh basil or parsley, for garnish

Instructions

1. Preheat the Oven
   Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly grease a medium casserole dish (8×8 or 9×9 inches).
2. Prepare the Base
   Spread half of the marinara sauce on the bottom of the casserole dish.
3. Add the Chicken
   Evenly layer the chopped or shredded chicken on top of the sauce. Season lightly with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
4. Add the Remaining Sauce
   Pour the rest of the marinara sauce over the chicken, spreading it evenly.
5. Layer the Cheese
   Sprinkle shredded mozzarella and parmesan cheese generously over the sauce layer.
6. Top with Breadcrumbs
   Mix breadcrumbs with olive oil and Italian seasoning in a small bowl. Sprinkle this mixture over the top of the casserole for that signature crispy chicken parm crunch.
7. Bake Until Golden and Bubbly
   Bake uncovered for 20–25 minutes, or until the top is golden and the cheese is bubbly.
8. Garnish and Serve
   Remove from the oven, let rest for 5 minutes, then garnish with chopped basil or parsley. Serve hot and enjoy the melty, cheesy goodness.

30-Minute Chicken Parmesan Casserole

An easy, cheesy, and flavorful chicken parmesan casserole that’s ready in just 30 minutes — the ultimate weeknight comfort food.

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Servings: 6 servings

Course: Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine: Italian-American

Calories: 320

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Casserole

• 3 cups cooked chicken breast chopped or shredded
• 2 cups marinara sauce
• 1.5 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 0.5 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 1 cup seasoned breadcrumbs
• 2 tbsp olive oil for drizzling
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 0.25 tsp salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tbsp fresh basil or parsley chopped, for garnish

Equipment

• Casserole dish
• Oven
• Mixing bowls
• Measuring cups

Method

 

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Grease a casserole dish.
2. Spread half of the marinara sauce in the bottom of the dish.
3. Add chicken on top, season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
4. Layer with remaining sauce and cheeses.
5. Combine breadcrumbs, olive oil, and Italian seasoning. Sprinkle over casserole.
6. Bake for 20–25 minutes until golden and bubbly. Garnish and serve.

Notes

Use rotisserie chicken for convenience. Add veggies for extra flavor.

Tips for Perfect Chicken Parmesan Casserole

• Use Leftover Chicken: Rotisserie chicken works perfectly for this recipe.
• Homemade Breadcrumbs: Crush leftover croutons or toast stale bread for a homemade touch.
• Extra Cheesy? Yes Please! Add an extra layer of mozzarella halfway through baking for a thicker cheese pull.
• Low-Carb Version: Swap breadcrumbs for crushed pork rinds or skip them entirely for a gluten-free version.
• Make It Ahead: Assemble up to 24 hours in advance, refrigerate, and bake when ready.

Delicious Variations

• Chicken Alfredo Casserole: Replace marinara with creamy Alfredo sauce.
• Veggie Boost: Add sautéed spinach, mushrooms, or zucchini before baking.
• Spicy Kick: Stir in a pinch of red pepper flakes or drizzle with hot honey after baking.
• Pasta Lover’s Version: Mix in cooked penne or rigatoni for a hearty one-pan pasta bake.

Serving Suggestions

This cheesy, saucy dish shines as the star of any dinner table. Try serving it with:

• Garlic bread or focaccia for dipping
• A crisp green salad with balsamic dressing
• Roasted vegetables like zucchini, broccoli, or asparagus
• A glass of red wine for date night

For a family dinner, serve with buttered noodles or mashed potatoes for a filling, satisfying meal.

Storage & Reheating

• Store: Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
• Freeze: Freeze in portions for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight before reheating.
• Reheat: Warm in the oven at 350°F for 10–12 minutes, or microwave in 1-minute intervals until heated through.

Nutritional Highlights

This Chicken Parmesan Casserole gives you protein-packed comfort food without the deep-frying. The olive oil adds healthy fats, and you can sneak in extra veggies for nutrition without losing the indulgent flavor.

Per Serving (approx. 1 cup):

• Calories: 320
• Protein: 30g
• Carbs: 10g
• Fat: 16g
• Fiber: 2g
• Calcium: 20% DV

Why This Recipe Works

Traditional Chicken Parmesan is delicious but messy — breading, frying, layering, and cleaning up afterward takes forever. This baked casserole version skips the heavy prep while keeping the same Italian flavor profile. The marinara sauce keeps the chicken moist, the cheese adds that creamy pull, and the breadcrumbs provide the crispy topping we all love.

It’s proof that comfort food doesn’t have to be complicated.

Fun Fact: The Italian-American Classic Reinvented

Chicken Parmesan, or Pollo alla Parmigiana, has Italian roots but became iconic in America. The original Italian version often used veal, but immigrants in the U.S. adapted it using affordable chicken. The casserole version was a natural next step — combining the same flavors in a more convenient, family-friendly format.

Make It a Full Meal

Turn this casserole night into a mini Italian feast:

• Start with Caprese skewers or a Caesar salad.
• Serve the casserole with a side of garlic butter breadsticks.
• End with tiramisu or lemon panna cotta for dessert.

Add a sprinkle of freshly grated parmesan right before serving — because when it comes to comfort food, more cheese is always better.

Final Thoughts

This 30-Minute Chicken Parmesan Casserole captures everything you love about Italian comfort food — the melty cheese, the savory sauce, the golden crust — without the work. It’s hearty, flavorful, and impossible to resist.

Whether you’re feeding your family, meal prepping for the week, or hosting an impromptu dinner, this dish checks every box: fast, delicious, and guaranteed to impress.