3-Ingredient Baked Caesar Chicken (for Diane)

Meet Diane from Minnesota. She’s a beautiful mom who’s tired of serving mac and cheese when money’s tight at the end of the month. You know how it is – the kids are hungry, but payday feels far away. That’s why I whipped up this 3-Ingredient Baked Caesar Chicken just for her. This easy recipe will make your end-of-month meals tastier without breaking the bank.

You’ll love how quick and simple it is to make. With only three main ingredients – chicken, Caesar dressing, and Parmesan cheese – you can create a delicious dinner that your whole family will enjoy. It’s a great way to shake up your meal routine without spending hours in the kitchen or lots of money at the grocery store.

Exact Ingredients List

Here’s what you’ll need to make this easy 3-ingredient baked Caesar chicken:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 2 pounds total)
• 1 cup creamy Caesar dressing
• 2 ounces Parmesan cheese, finely grated (about 1/2 cup)

Optional garnish:

• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley leaves, coarsely chopped

That’s it! With just these few items, you can create a tasty meal that’s sure to please your family.

Remember to choose a Caesar dressing you really like, as it’s a key flavor in this dish. The Parmesan cheese adds a nice salty kick and crispy texture on top.

Feel free to adjust the amounts based on how many people you’re feeding. This recipe serves about 4, but you can easily double it for a larger group.

Instructions

Heat your oven to 400°F. Get your chicken breasts ready by pounding them to 1/2-inch thick. This helps them cook evenly.

Pour Caesar dressing into a baking dish. Put the chicken in and flip it to coat both sides.

Bake for 20-25 minutes until the chicken turns golden-brown. Check it’s done by using a meat thermometer – it should read 165°F.

While the chicken cooks, grate some Parmesan cheese. If you want, chop up some parsley too.

Turn on your broiler. Sprinkle the cheese over the chicken. Broil for 3-4 minutes until the cheese melts and gets a bit brown.

Serve your chicken right away. If you chopped parsley, sprinkle it on top for extra flavor and color.

This easy meal is perfect for busy nights. You’ll have a tasty dinner ready in no time!

Possible Substitutes List & Recipe Variations

You can swap out the chicken breasts for boneless thighs if you prefer. Just adjust the cooking time to make sure they’re fully cooked.

Don’t have Caesar dressing? Try ranch or Italian dressing instead. They’ll give a different flavor but still keep the chicken moist and tasty.

For a cheesy twist, use mozzarella or cheddar instead of Parmesan. Or mix them together for extra cheesy goodness!

Want some crunch? Sprinkle crushed croutons on top before baking. They’ll get nice and crispy in the oven.

Add some veggies to make it a one-pan meal. Broccoli, carrots, or bell peppers work great. Just toss them in with the chicken before baking.

For a zesty kick, mix some lemon juice and garlic into the dressing before coating the chicken.

Serve it different ways:

• Over pasta
• With a side salad
• In a wrap
• Sliced on top of a Caesar salad

These easy changes can help you mix things up without much extra work!

Tips, Tricks & Storing

Want to save time? Pound the chicken breasts in advance and store them in the fridge. This makes prep even quicker when you’re ready to cook.

For extra flavor, try adding minced garlic or lemon zest to the Caesar dressing before coating the chicken.

No Parmesan on hand? Use another hard cheese like Pecorino Romano or Asiago instead.

To store leftovers, let the chicken cool completely. Put it in an airtight container and keep in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Reheating is easy! Pop the chicken in the microwave for 1-2 minutes or until hot. You can also warm it in the oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes.

Freeze cooked chicken for up to 3 months. Wrap each piece in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.

Try serving your Caesar chicken over pasta or with a side salad for a complete meal. It’s also great sliced up in sandwiches or wraps for lunch the next day.