Easy & Delicious High Protein Chicken Parmesan Casserole
Why make this recipe
This Easy & Delicious High Protein Chicken Parmesan Casserole is a fantastic dish that combines the flavors of classic chicken parmesan in a simple, convenient way. It’s great for busy weeknights or meal prep! With its high protein content, it keeps you feeling full and satisfied. Plus, it’s easy to make and even easier to eat, making it a hit for the whole family.
How to make Easy & Delicious High Protein Chicken Parmesan Casserole
Ingredients:
- 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
Directions:
-
Prepare Your Chicken: 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.
-
Prepare the Cottage Cheese Mixture: In a medium bowl, combine 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 Oven & Prep Dish: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with olive oil or cooking spray.
-
First Layer – Sauce: Pour about 1 cup of marinara sauce into the bottom of the prepared baking dish and spread it evenly.
-
Second Layer – Chicken: Evenly distribute all of your prepared chicken over the marinara sauce layer.
-
Third Layer – Cheese & Cottage Cheese Mixture: 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.
-
Fourth Layer – More Sauce: Pour another 1 cup of marinara sauce over the cheese and cottage cheese layer, spreading gently.
-
Final Layer – Topping: 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.
-
Bake the Casserole: Cover the baking dish loosely with aluminum foil. Bake for 25 minutes.
-
Uncover & Finish Baking: 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.
-
Rest & Serve: Let the casserole rest for 10-15 minutes before serving.
How to serve Easy & Delicious High Protein Chicken Parmesan Casserole
Serve this casserole warm, straight from the oven. It’s perfect on its own or served with a side salad or garlic bread. Sprinkle with fresh basil or parsley for an extra touch of flavor!
How to store Easy & Delicious High Protein Chicken Parmesan Casserole
Let any leftovers cool completely before transferring them to an airtight container. You can store the casserole in the refrigerator for up to 3-5 days. To reheat, simply cover and warm it in the oven or microwave until heated through.
Tips to make Easy & Delicious High Protein Chicken Parmesan Casserole
- You can use leftover chicken or rotisserie chicken to save time.
- For extra veggies, add spinach or zucchini in the layers.
- Feel free to adjust the amount of cheese according to your preference.
Variation
To make this dish gluten-free, simply use gluten-free breadcrumbs. You can also experiment with different cheeses, such as adding ricotta or using different types of shredded cheese based on your preference.
FAQs
1. Can I make this casserole ahead of time?
Yes! You can prepare it a day in advance, cover it, and store it in the refrigerator until you are ready to bake it.
2. How do I know when the casserole is done?
The casserole is done when the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the breadcrumbs are golden brown and crispy.
3. Can I freeze leftovers?
Yes, you can freeze the casserole. Store it in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
High Protein Chicken Parmesan Casserole
Ingredients
Method
- 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.
- In a medium bowl, combine 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 9x13 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.
