Baked Caesar Chicken with Creamy Parmesan Sauce Recipe
A delicious and easy-to-make Baked Caesar Chicken with a creamy Parmesan sauce, perfect for a comforting dinner. Tender chicken breasts are seasoned and baked in a rich sauce made with heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, Dijon mustard, and lemon juice, then garnished with fresh parsley.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 3 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Salt
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp paprika
Creamy Parmesan Sauce
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- ½ tsp dried thyme or Italian seasoning
Garnish
- Fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the chicken.
- Season Chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Rub them thoroughly with olive oil, then season with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and paprika to infuse flavor.
- Optional Sear: For enhanced flavor and color, heat a skillet over medium-high heat and sear the chicken breasts for 2–3 minutes on each side until lightly golden. This step is optional but recommended.
- Prepare Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the heavy cream, grated Parmesan cheese, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, and dried thyme or Italian seasoning until smooth and well combined.
- Assemble: Place the seasoned (and optionally seared) chicken breasts into a greased baking dish. Pour the creamy Parmesan sauce evenly over the chicken.
- Bake: Cover the dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20–25 minutes or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C). Remove the foil during the last 5 minutes of baking to allow the top to brown lightly.
- Rest and Serve: Once baked, let the chicken rest for 5 minutes to retain its juices. Then slice the chicken, serve it plated with the creamy Parmesan sauce, and garnish with chopped fresh parsley for a burst of color and flavor.
Notes
- Optional searing of chicken adds extra flavor and color but can be skipped for a faster recipe.
- Substitute dried thyme with Italian seasoning for a more herbaceous flavor.
- The sauce can be adjusted for thickness by adding more cream or Parmesan as desired.
- Ensure chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) for safe consumption.
- Serve with a side of steamed vegetables or a fresh salad for a complete meal.
Keywords: baked chicken, creamy parmesan sauce, Caesar chicken, easy dinner recipe, baked chicken breasts
