High Protein Chicken Parmesan Casserole
High Protein Chicken Parmesan Casserole bakes seasoned chicken breast, short pasta, tomato sauce, spinach, parmesan, and a crisp panko topping into one cozy dish. It is a practical meal prep and family dinner recipe when you want chicken parmesan flavor in an easier casserole format.
Equipment
- Large Pot
- Large skillet
- Cutting Board
- Mixing bowl
- 2-quart baking dish
Ingredients
- 0.5 tablespoon salt plus more for boiling pasta
- 0.5 tablespoon garlic powder
- 0.5 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 12 ounces chicken breasts
- 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 8 ounces pasta rotini or penne
- 2 cups pasta sauce
- 1 handful chopped spinach
- 0.75 cup plain panko breadcrumbs
- 0.5 cup grated parmesan
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasonings
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F and lightly grease a 2-quart baking dish.
- Combine the salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper, then season the chicken on both sides.
- Heat the olive oil in a skillet and cook the chicken until golden and 165°F in the center, then rest and cut into pieces.
- Boil the pasta in salted water until al dente, then drain it well.
- Mix the pasta, cooked chicken, pasta sauce, and chopped spinach in the baking dish until evenly coated.
- Stir the panko, parmesan, and Italian seasoning together, then sprinkle the mixture over the casserole.
- Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until the casserole is hot and the topping is golden.
- Rest for 5 minutes before serving so the sauce settles and the portions scoop cleanly.
Notes
Storage: Store cooled casserole in airtight containers in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days.
Reheating: Reheat portions in the microwave until steaming hot or bake covered at 350°F until warmed through.
Freezing: Freeze individual portions for up to 2 months, then thaw overnight before reheating.
Expert Tips: Cook the pasta just to al dente and rest the chicken before cutting for the best texture.
Variations: Add mushrooms, bell pepper, zucchini, or a small layer of mozzarella if you want a different casserole style.
Meal Prep: Portion the casserole after it rests so each container gets pasta, chicken, sauce, and topping.