Description
This Melt In Your Mouth Caesar Chicken recipe features tender chicken breasts baked in a creamy Caesar dressing mixture, topped with crispy panko breadcrumbs for added texture. Easy to prepare, this flavorful dish combines classic Caesar salad components with juicy baked chicken, perfect for a comforting family dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 pounds chicken breasts
Dressing Mixture
- 1 packet Caesar salad dressing mix
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Breadcrumb Topping
- 1/2 cup Panko breadcrumbs
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Additional
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (for greasing the baking dish)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare it for baking the chicken.
- Prepare Baking Dish: Lightly grease a baking dish with cooking spray or olive oil to prevent the chicken from sticking during baking.
- Arrange Chicken: Place the chicken breasts in a single layer in the prepared baking dish ensuring even cooking.
- Make Dressing Mixture: In a medium bowl, combine Caesar salad dressing mix, grated Parmesan cheese, mayonnaise, sour cream, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, garlic powder, black pepper, and salt.
- Mix Dressing: Whisk all the dressing ingredients together until smooth and fully combined.
- Coat Chicken: Pour the dressing mixture evenly over the chicken breasts, making sure each piece is thoroughly coated for maximum flavor.
- Prepare Breadcrumb Topping: In a small bowl, mix the Panko breadcrumbs with olive oil to lightly coat and moisten them.
- Top Chicken: Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture evenly over the coated chicken to form a crispy crust when baked.
- Bake Chicken: Place the baking dish in the oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes until the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F/74°C) and the breadcrumb topping is golden brown.
- Rest Chicken: Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes to allow juices to redistribute.
- Serve: Serve the Melt In Your Mouth Caesar Chicken hot, optionally garnished with extra grated Parmesan cheese or fresh parsley for added flavor.
Notes
- Ensure chicken breasts are similar in size for even cooking.
- Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature for food safety.
- Panko breadcrumbs provide a crispier topping compared to regular breadcrumbs.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently.
- Optional garnishes like fresh parsley or additional Parmesan enhance presentation and taste.
