Baked Caesar Chicken with Creamy Parmesan Sauce in 35 Minutes Recipe
This Baked Caesar Chicken with Creamy Parmesan Sauce is a quick and flavorful dish perfect for a weeknight dinner. Tender boneless chicken breasts are baked to perfection in a rich, creamy sauce made with Parmesan cheese, heavy cream, Dijon mustard, garlic, and fresh lemon juice. The dish is garnished with fresh parsley for a bright herbal finish. Ready in just 35 minutes, it offers a delicious twist on classic Caesar flavors without the salad.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken
- 4 pieces boneless chicken breasts
For the Sauce
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard (optional)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley (can be omitted or swapped for basil)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it reaches the proper temperature for baking the chicken evenly.
- Prepare Chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry thoroughly with paper towels to remove excess moisture. This helps the sauce adhere better and promotes even cooking.
- Make Sauce: In a mixing bowl, whisk together heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, and fresh lemon juice until you achieve a smooth and creamy sauce.
- Combine and Bake: Place the chicken breasts in a baking dish, then pour the creamy Parmesan sauce evenly over the top, making sure each piece is well coated.
- Bake: Bake the chicken in the preheated oven for about 25 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C), indicating the chicken is fully cooked.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes to allow juices to redistribute, then garnish with fresh parsley and serve.
Notes
- You can substitute coconut cream for heavy cream to make the sauce dairy-free.
- Dairy-free Parmesan alternatives are available if you need a dairy-free option.
- The Dijon mustard adds a slight tang and depth but can be omitted if preferred.
- Fresh lemon juice is recommended to brighten the sauce, but bottled lemon juice can be used in a pinch.
- For a different herb flavor, swap parsley with fresh basil.
- Make sure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F for safe consumption.
Keywords: baked chicken, Caesar chicken, creamy Parmesan sauce, easy chicken recipe, weeknight dinner, baked chicken breasts
