Caesar Chicken is the perfect melt-in-your-mouth chicken recipe! It’s creamy, simple, and filled with flavor. This easy baked chicken recipe only has 4 ingredients and takes less than 30 minutes to make. It’s one of the absolute best weeknight dinners out there.
What’s in Caesar Chicken?
With just a handful of ingredients and 30 minutes to bake in the oven, this chicken dinner will be ready in no time!
- Chicken Breasts: Use boneless, skinless chicken breasts for this recipe. If they are on the thicker side, thin them out evenly.
- Caesar Dressing: Use your favorite creamy Caesar salad dressing. Or try making this homemade Caesar dressing recipe.
- Parmesan: Freshly grated Parmesan cheese will melt best.
- Black Pepper: Ground black pepper adds just a bit of spice into this dish. Simple but effective!
Notes from the Test Kitchen
If you find that the sauce seems to separate or curdle, try mixing 1 tablespoon of all-purpose flour into the dressing/sour cream mixture before adding it to the chicken. This will help bind it together.
Variations on Baked Caesar Chicken
While you only need 3 main ingredients to make this baked chicken breast recipe (chicken, caesar dressing, cheese), there’s another ingredient that will make it extra creamy. Mixing sour cream into the dressing will add an extra bit of tanginess to the flavor, and it will really make this chicken melt in your mouth! It’s an optional ingredient though, so skip it if you prefer. Plain Greek yogurt would be a nice substitute if you want something lighter.
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Baked Caesar Chicken Recipe
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Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1½ cups freshly grated Parmesan cheese divided
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 cup Caesar salad dressing (click for homemade recipe)
- ½ cup sour cream (optional)
Recommended Equipment
- 8×11½-inch Baking Pan
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F and spray the inside of an 8×11½-inch baking pan with nonstick spray.
- If the breasts are uneven thickness, pound them (placed in a Ziplock bag and on a flat surface) to an even ¾-1-inch thickness using a meat pounder.4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Sprinkle the breasts (both sides) with 1 cup of grated Parmesan cheese and all of the freshly ground black pepper, and place them in the prepared baking dish.1½ cups freshly grated Parmesan cheese, ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- Whisk together Caesar dressing and sour cream in a small bowl. Pour the Caesar/sour cream mixture over each breasts then sprinkle the remaining ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese on top.1 cup Caesar salad dressing, ½ cup sour cream
- Place the prepared chicken in the oven and bake at 375°F for 30 minutes, or until a meat thermometer inserted in the thickest part of one of the middle breasts reads 150°F.
- Turn the oven to broil and broil the breasts an additional 2-4 minutes, or until the chicken turns golden brown. It can burn quickly, so watch it closely. When done, a meat thermometer should register 165°F when stuck into the thickest part of one of the middle breasts.
- Remove from the oven, cover loosely with foil and allow chicken to rest 5-10 minutes before serving.
- If desired, garnish with chopped parsley.
Last step! Don’t forget to show me a pic of what you made! Upload an image or tag me @thecookierookie on Instagram!
Becky’s tips
- Do NOT salt the chicken.
- If you find that the sauce seems to curdle, try mixing 1 tablespoon of all-purpose flour into the dressing/sour cream mixture before adding it to the chicken.
Nutrition Information
Serving Suggestions
This melt-in-your-mouth Caesar chicken is the perfect dish to serve for any weeknight dinner, and it goes well with almost any side dish. Start with a Kale Caesar Salad, and add some roasted mushrooms or Air Fryer baked potatoes. And don’t forget the dinner rolls! You could also mix in some Instant Pot rice to beef up the meal.
How to Make Caesar Chicken Step by Step
Season the Chicken: Preheat your oven to 375°F and spray the inside of an 8×11½-inch baking pan with nonstick spray. If the breasts are uneven thickness, pound them (placed in a Ziplock bag and on a flat surface) to an even ¾-1-inch thickness using a meat pounder. Sprinkle 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (both sides) with 1 cup of grated Parmesan cheese and ½ teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper, and place them in the prepared baking dish.
Pour Over the Sauce: Whisk together 1 cup of Caesar dressing and ½ cup of sour cream in a small bowl. Pour the Caesar/sour cream mixture over each breast then sprinkle the remaining ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese on top.
Bake and Serve: Place the prepared chicken in the oven and bake at 375°F for 30 minutes, or until a meat thermometer inserted in the thickest part of one of the middle breasts reads 150°F. Turn the oven to broil and broil the breasts an additional 2-4 minutes, or until the chicken turns golden brown. It can burn quickly, so watch it closely. When done, a meat thermometer should register 165°F when stuck into the thickest part of one of the middle breasts. Remove from the oven, cover loosely with foil and allow chicken to rest 5-10 minutes before serving. If desired, garnish with chopped parsley.
How to Store and Reheat
Store leftover baked Caesar chicken in an airtight container, and keep it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place it back in the oven at 350°F until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
How to Freeze
Store creamy Caesar chicken in a freezer-safe container, and freeze it for up to 2 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Made this and it was amazing!!!! My husband and I both loved it. I used a store bought “Bolthouse” Caesar which is our favorite. Sooooo yummy 🤤
Can I do this in a big crockpot? Maybe put the dressing in at 2 or e hours?
We think that would work, but we recommend adding the dressing right away to keep moist, then stirring in the sour cream near the end of the cook time.
I made this once before and it was a Big Hit. Even the most pickiest person wanted a second helping, he claimed he was in Heaven. But none left. Next time I will double the recipe.
This is delicious and soooo easy. Substituted plain greek yogurt for the sour cream. Chicken was incredibly moist. Don’t be tempted to add salt. I don’t repeat recipes very often (alas, so many recipes, so little time), but most definitely will make this again.
Can I make ingredients ahead, and bake later, directions the same?
Yes, you can assemble and bake later, but the dressing may start to separate the longer it sits! It also may take an extra 5 or so minutes if starting from fridge cold rather than room temp.
I forgot to take a picture when it was done, it went too fast !! My husband is much of a chicken fan he tolerates for me. HE LOVED IT !!
This has become a family favorite. If there are leftovers it makes great addition to a perfect salad.
I had some Caesar salad croutons. I crushed them up a bit & put them on top towards maybe the last half of baking time so they would brown & not burn. The little crunchy topping gave it s little extra something but is delicious with or without.
I made this recipe tonight, and it was delicious! Very easy and quick to put together! I will definitely be making it again!
I’m near the St Louis area and came across this and it’s super yummy!!!!! Thank you!!!!