Description
This Baked Caesar Chicken with Creamy Parmesan Sauce is a delicious, comforting dish featuring tender chicken breasts baked in a rich and velvety Parmesan cream sauce. Infused with garlic, paprika, and a hint of lemon and thyme, this recipe offers a flavorful twist on classic Caesar flavors, perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner or special occasion.
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 the oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the chicken.
- Prepare the chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Rub them evenly with olive oil, then season with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.
- Optional sear: For extra flavor and color, heat a skillet over medium-high heat and sear the chicken for 2–3 minutes on each side until lightly golden brown. This step can be skipped if preferred.
- Make the sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the heavy cream, grated Parmesan cheese, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, and dried thyme or Italian seasoning until the sauce is smooth and well combined.
- Assemble for baking: Place the prepared chicken breasts in a greased baking dish. Pour the creamy Parmesan sauce evenly over the chicken breasts, ensuring they are well coated.
- Bake covered: Cover the baking dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Remove the foil during the last 5 minutes of baking to allow the top to brown lightly.
- Rest and serve: Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes. Then slice the chicken and serve with the creamy Parmesan sauce. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley for added flavor and color.
Notes
- Searing the chicken before baking adds additional flavor and a nice golden crust but is optional.
- Make sure not to overcook the chicken to keep it juicy and tender.
- For a lighter version, you can substitute heavy cream with half-and-half, but sauce might be less rich.
- Use fresh Parmesan cheese for the best flavor in the sauce.
- Serve this dish with a side of steamed vegetables, rice, or a fresh green salad for a complete meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: baked caesar chicken, creamy parmesan sauce, baked chicken breasts, easy chicken recipe, Parmesan cream sauce
