Baked Caesar Chicken with Creamy Parmesan Sauce Recipe
This Baked Caesar Chicken with Creamy Parmesan Sauce is a flavorful and comforting dish featuring tender chicken breasts baked in a rich, creamy sauce made from Parmesan cheese, heavy cream, Dijon mustard, and a hint of lemon. The chicken can be optionally seared before baking to enhance flavor and texture, then baked to juicy perfection, making it a simple yet elegant main course perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 3 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
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 (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the chicken.
- Prepare Chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Rub them evenly with olive oil, then season both sides with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and paprika to build a flavorful base.
- Optional Searing: For extra flavor and a golden crust, 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.
- Make Parmesan 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.
- Prepare for Baking: Grease a baking dish lightly and place the chicken breasts inside. Pour the creamy Parmesan sauce evenly over the top, ensuring the chicken is well covered.
- Bake: Cover the baking dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20–25 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 lightly brown.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes to seal in the juices. Slice the chicken, spoon the creamy sauce over, and garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving.
Notes
- Seared chicken breasts will have a richer flavor and a more appealing appearance though searing is optional.
- Use fresh Parmesan cheese for best flavor in the sauce.
- You can substitute dried thyme with Italian seasoning as preferred.
- Make sure the chicken reaches the safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) for safe consumption.
- Serve with a side of roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, or a crisp green salad for a complete meal.
Keywords: Baked Caesar Chicken, Creamy Parmesan Sauce, Chicken breasts recipe, easy baked chicken, weeknight dinners, creamy chicken recipe