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Quick & Easy Chicken Parmesan Bake: Your New Weeknight Hero

This 20-minute chicken parmesan bake simplifies the classic comfort food by skipping complicated breading and frying. With golden cheese topping and perfectly baked chicken breasts, it's an easy weeknight meal that delivers all the traditional flavors with half the effort.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 420
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Ingredients
  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 2 cups marinara sauce
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Fresh basil for garnish (optional)

Method
 

Instructions
  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
  2. Season chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning on both sides.
  3. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken breasts for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown (they don't need to be fully cooked through).
  4. Arrange chicken in the prepared baking dish. Spread marinara sauce evenly over the chicken.
  5. Sprinkle mozzarella cheese generously over the sauce, followed by parmesan cheese.
  6. In a small bowl, mix breadcrumbs with a tablespoon of olive oil and minced garlic. Sprinkle this mixture over the cheese.
  7. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through and cheese is bubbly and golden.
  8. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil if desired.

Notes

Pound chicken breasts to even thickness for consistent cooking. Use combination of low-moisture mozzarella for melting and quality parmesan for flavor. Don't skip searing the chicken first for better texture and flavor.