Go Back

Baked Caesar Chicken

Baked Caesar chicken with a golden Parmesan-crusted finish and a 20-minute Caesar dressing marinade. Each chicken breast bakes at 400°F until the crust crackles and the interior hits 165°F, then gets topped with romaine, croutons, and extra Caesar.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
marinating 20 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 620
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

chicken breasts
  • 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
caesar marinade and topping
  • 0.75 cup Caesar dressing store-bought or homemade
  • 0.75 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated divided
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp lemon zest
  • 0.25 salt and pepper to taste
crust
  • 0.5 cup panko breadcrumbs
serving
  • 1 Fresh romaine, croutons, and extra Caesar dressing for serving

Equipment

  • 1 sheet pan

Method
 

Marinate the chicken
  1. Mix together Caesar dressing, 1/2 cup Parmesan, garlic powder, and lemon zest until combined. Marinate the chicken in the mixture for 20 minutes.
Bake with a Parmesan crust
  1. Preheat the oven to 400°F and grease a baking dish. Place the marinated chicken in the dish.
  2. Mix the remaining 1/4 cup Parmesan with panko breadcrumbs and press the mixture over the top of each breast. Keep the coating firmly in place for best browning.
  3. Bake for 22-25 minutes at 400°F until the crust is golden and internal temperature reaches 165°F. Look for a caramelized, crackled top as a visual cue.
Finish and serve
  1. Serve the chicken topped with chopped romaine, croutons, and an extra drizzle of Caesar dressing. Finish with shaved Parmesan for a fresh, sharp finish.

Notes

Pro tip: pat the chicken lightly before marinating so the Caesar dressing clings and the panko crisps. Store leftovers in the refrigerator up to 3 days; reheat covered at 325°F until warmed through. Freezing is not recommended because the Caesar-breadcrumb crust loses crunch. For a lighter option, use low-fat Caesar dressing and part-skim Parmesan while keeping the same baking time and internal temperature.