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If you’re craving crispy, cheesy chicken without the mess of frying, this Baked Parmesan Chicken is the ultimate weeknight win. It’s tender, flavorful, and topped with a buttery, garlicky Ritz cracker crust that takes it to the next level. Trust me — this one’s a total crowd-pleaser.
This meal reminds me of our Ritz Cracker Chicken. It’s a casserole full of chicken and marinara sauce, mozzarella cheese and Parmesan cheeses. And then it’s topped with crushed Ritz crackers, which makes it very different than chicken parmesan.
Why You’ll Love This Easy Baked Chicken Parmesan:
- Crispy + cheesy perfection: The combo of Parmesan, mozzarella, and crushed crackers gives you that restaurant-level crunch.
- No frying needed: Everything bakes in the oven, so it’s way easier (and cleaner) than classic Chicken Parmesan.
- Flavor explosion: Garlic, olive oil, red pepper flakes, and fresh basil pack tons of flavor into every bite.
- Family favorite: Everyone loves this one — it’s kid-approved but still impressive enough for guests.
Ingredients Needed:
- Extra virgin olive oil: Helps keep the chicken juicy and flavorful.
- Garlic: Freshly minced for big flavor.
- Crushed red pepper flakes: Adds a tiny kick that balances the rich cheese.
- Chicken breasts: Use boneless, skinless for easy baking.
- Marinara sauce: Jarred works great — use your favorite brand.
- Fresh basil: Adds that fresh, herby pop right at the end.
- Mozzarella cheese: For that gooey, melty topping.
- Parmesan cheese: The sharp, salty flavor that makes this dish sing.
- Garlic Butter Ritz Crackers: Crushed up for the ultimate buttery, crunchy topping.
How to make Baked Parmesan Chicken:
The complete, printable recipe is at the end of this post.
- Preheat the oven to 350℉.
- Drizzle olive oil evenly over the bottom of a 9×13-inch casserole dish, and then sprinkle with garlic and red pepper flakes. Add the chicken breasts to the bottom of the dish.
- Pour the marinara sauce evenly over the chicken. Sprinkle basil over the sauce, and top with ½ of the mozzarella cheese, followed by ½ of the Parmesan cheese and crushed crackers. Top with the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan.
- Bake until the cheese and crackers are golden brown and the chicken is no longer pink inside (35 minutes or more- depending on the thickness of your chicken breasts). If you use an instant read thermometer, doneness should be 160℉ into the thickest part of a chicken breast.
Tips and Substitutions:
- Use thin-cut chicken breasts or pound thicker ones so they cook evenly.
- This casserole would be good without the crumbs too, if desired. Just add another sprinkle of cheese on top instead!
- Make your own marinara sauce to add to the casserole.
- Top with crushed garlic croutons instead of crackers!
- Love spice? Add more red pepper flakes or drizzle with a little hot honey before serving.
- Make it your own: Try swapping marinara for pesto or buffalo sauce for a fun twist.
How to serve this chicken dinner recipe:
Serve this Baked Parmesan Chicken over spaghetti or garlic noodles for a classic comfort dinner. It’s also awesome served with a spinach salad and some garlic biscuits. You can also put the parmesan chicken on a sandwich roll for the best chicken parm sub ever.
This Baked Parmesan Chicken is proof that simple ingredients can make something seriously amazing. It’s everything you love about chicken parm — crispy, cheesy, saucy — but easier, lighter, and just as delicious. Make it once, and it’ll be on repeat in your kitchen.
If you love cheesy chicken dinners, try our cheesy Chicken Pizzaiola recipe next. And for another easy weeknight dinner try our Baked Parmesan Chicken Tenders.
Baked Parmesan Chicken
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 2 large garlic cloves, minced
- ⅛ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 6 halves skinless, boneless chicken breasts
- 2 cups jarred marinara sauce (we like Classico Tomato-Basil)
- ¼ cup chopped fresh basil
- 8 ounces shredded Mozzarella cheese, divided
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
- ¾ cup crushed garlic butter Ritz crackers
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350℉.
- Drizzle olive oil evenly over the bottom of a 9×13-inch casserole dish, and then sprinkle with garlic and red pepper flakes. Add the chicken breasts to the bottom of the dish.
- Pour the marinara sauce evenly over the chicken. Sprinkle basil over the sauce, and top with ½ of the mozzarella cheese, followed by ½ of the Parmesan cheese and crushed crackers. Top with the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan.
- Bake until the cheese and crackers are golden brown and the chicken is no longer pink inside (35 minutes or more- depending on the thickness of your chicken breasts). If you use an instant read thermometer, doneness should be 160℉ into the thickest part of a chicken breast.
Nutrition
This recipe comes from RecipeBoy.com
