Description
A comforting and flavor-packed Chicken Parmesan Casserole combining savory chicken, creamy cheeses, and zesty marinara sauce.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 pounds Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breast
- 24-28 ounces Marinara Sauce
- 2 cups Part-Skim Mozzarella Cheese
- ½ cup Parmesan Cheese
- 1 ½ cups Cottage Cheese (Low-Fat or Fat-Free)
- 1 large Egg
- 2 teaspoons Italian Seasoning Blend
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 1 teaspoon Onion Powder
- ½ cup Breadcrumbs
- 1 tablespoon Olive Oil
Instructions
- Cut the chicken into 1-inch cubes.
- Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Season the chicken cubes with a pinch of salt, pepper, and ½ teaspoon of Italian seasoning.
- Cook until browned on all sides and mostly cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Alternatively, poach the chicken breasts in water or chicken broth for 15-20 minutes until cooked through and shred, or bake at 400°F (200°C) for 20-25 minutes until cooked through.
- Combine in a medium bowl 1 ½ cups of low-fat or fat-free cottage cheese, 1 large egg, ½ teaspoon of Italian seasoning, ½ teaspoon of garlic powder, and ½ teaspoon of onion powder.
- Stir well until everything is evenly combined.
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with olive oil or cooking spray.
- Pour about 1 cup of marinara sauce into the bottom of the prepared baking dish and spread it evenly.
- Evenly distribute all of your prepared chicken over the marinara sauce layer.
- Spoon dollops of the cottage cheese mixture over the chicken layer, then gently spread it out.
- Sprinkle about 1 cup of part-skim mozzarella cheese and ¼ cup of grated Parmesan cheese over the cottage cheese.
- Pour another 1 cup of marinara sauce over the cheese and cottage cheese layer, spreading gently.
- In a small bowl, combine ½ cup of breadcrumbs with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and an extra dash of Italian seasoning.
- Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the top of the casserole.
- Finish with the remaining 1 cup of part-skim mozzarella cheese and ¼ cup of grated Parmesan cheese.
- Cover the baking dish loosely with aluminum foil.
- Bake for 25 minutes.
- Remove the foil and continue baking for another 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the breadcrumbs are golden brown and crispy.
- Let the casserole rest for 10-15 minutes before serving.
Notes
For extra texture, try adding sautéed vegetables like spinach or zucchini. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 100mg