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Baked Caesar Chicken

Baked Caesar chicken with a golden Parmesan crust, marinated in Caesar dressing and baked until deeply fragrant and crackled. Juicy chicken breasts are topped with shaved Parmesan, fresh romaine, and croutons for a classic weeknight chicken dinner.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
marinating 20 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 640
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Chicken marinade and crust
  • 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • 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
  • 0.5 salt and pepper to taste
Parmesan-panko topping
  • 0.5 cup panko breadcrumbs
Serving
  • 1 Fresh romaine
  • 1 croutons
  • 1 extra Caesar dressing for serving

Equipment

  • 1 sheet pan

Method
 

Marinate the chicken
  1. Stir together Caesar dressing, 1/2 cup Parmesan, garlic powder, and lemon zest in a bowl until smooth.
  2. Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper to taste, then submerge and marinate for 20 minutes.
Bake with a Parmesan crust
  1. Preheat the oven to 400°F and grease a baking dish or sheet pan.
  2. Place the marinated chicken in the prepared dish.
  3. Mix the remaining 1/4 cup Parmesan with panko breadcrumbs, then press the mixture over the top of each breast.
  4. Bake for 22-25 minutes, until the crust is golden and the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
Finish and serve
  1. Serve the chicken topped with chopped romaine, croutons, and an extra drizzle of Caesar dressing.
  2. Finish with shaved Parmesan over the top just before serving.

Notes

For the best crust, press the panko-Parmesan mixture firmly onto the chicken so it adheres before baking. Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days; reheat in a 350°F oven until warmed through. Freezing is not recommended because the romaine and crust texture can soften after thawing. For a lighter option, swap in light Caesar dressing and use reduced-fat Parmesan while keeping the bake timing the same.