Baked Caesar Chicken Recipe
If you think you can't cook, this baked Caesar chicken recipe will convince people otherwise. Featuring a creamy sauce and a buttery crouton topping, it's the perfect dish for simple weeknights. Here's how to make it:
Ingredients
- Croutons: Use store-bought Caesar salad croutons or make your own.
- Cheese: For the best flavor, grate fresh Parmesan cheese.
- Butter: A tablespoon of butter adds richness to the crispy topping.
- Chicken: You'll need four boneless, skinless chicken breasts for this recipe.
- Seasonings: Salt and black pepper to season the chicken.
- Salad dressing: Use store-bought Caesar dressing or prepare your own.
- Sour cream: Adds creaminess and a slight tang.
- Flour: All-purpose flour thickens the dressing mixture.
- Parsley: Fresh parsley for garnish, adding both color and flavor.
Instructions
Follow these simple steps to make your baked Caesar chicken:
Step 1: Prepare the Topping
In a bowl, combine crushed croutons, Parmesan cheese, and melted butter. Toss everything together until well-mixed. Set this mixture aside for later use.
Step 2: Pound the Chicken
Place the chicken breasts between two sheets of plastic wrap. Use a meat mallet to pound the chicken to an even thickness. This ensures the chicken cooks evenly.
Step 3: Season the Chicken
Season both sides of the chicken breasts with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Transfer the seasoned chicken to a prepared 2-quart baking dish that has been lightly sprayed with nonstick cooking spray.
Step 4: Make the Dressing Mixture
In a small bowl, mix together the Caesar salad dressing, sour cream, and flour. Stir until well combined.
Step 5: Coat the Chicken
Pour the dressing mixture over the chicken, using a spoon to ensure that each breast is evenly coated. Turn the chicken breasts to coat both sides.
Step 6: Add the Crouton Topping
Evenly distribute the crouton mixture over the top of the chicken, pressing gently to make sure it sticks.
Step 7: Bake the Chicken
Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the chicken is no longer pink in the center and the juices run clear. To be sure, use an instant-read thermometer; the internal temperature should reach 165F (74C).
Step 8: Garnish and Serve
Once baked, remove the dish from the oven and garnish with freshly chopped parsley. Serve hot and enjoy!
Test Kitchen Tips
- Easy chicken pounding: Place the chicken breasts in a resealable plastic bag to pound them. This helps contain the mess. You can use the same bag to crush the croutons by smashing them with a meat mallet.
- Crouton alternatives: If you don't have croutons, Panko breadcrumbs can work as a substitute. For more flavor, add a bit of Italian seasoning to plain Panko breadcrumbs.
What to Serve with Caesar Chicken
Pair this dish with a simple salad or sauted vegetables like zucchini and yellow summer squash. If you're craving something heartier, serve the chicken over rice or pasta to make sure you don't waste any of the delicious sauce!
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
- Calories: 652
- Fat: 49g
- Carbs: 8g
- Protein: 44g
- Sodium: 1185mg
- Cholesterol: 151mg
- Calcium: 199mg
- Iron: 2mg
- Potassium: 378mg
Note: Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet. Your daily values may vary depending on your needs.

The Story Behind Baked Caesar Chicken
Baked Caesar Chicken is a modern adaptation of the classic Caesar salad, which originated in Tijuana, Mexico in the 1920s, created by Italian-American restaurateur Caesar Cardini. While the original Caesar salad was a simple combination of romaine lettuce, croutons, Parmesan cheese, and a tangy dressing, culinary innovators gradually incorporated protein into the dish. Baked Caesar Chicken emerged as a convenient way to combine the rich, creamy flavors of Caesar dressing with tender, oven-roasted chicken, making it both hearty and flavorful for a main course.
Regional Characteristics
This dish is predominantly popular in North America, particularly in the United States, where diners favor baked dishes with creamy, cheese-based toppings. Regional variations often include different types of bread crumbs, such as panko in the West Coast, or seasoned croutons in the Midwest. Some southern adaptations might add a hint of cayenne or paprika to the topping, giving the dish a slightly spicier profile. Fresh herbs, like parsley or chives, are also frequently used to enhance the visual appeal and subtle flavor nuances.
How It Differs from Similar Dishes
While it may resemble Chicken Parmesan or other breaded baked chicken recipes, Baked Caesar Chicken is distinguished by its creamy Caesar dressing coating and the use of Parmesan-crouton topping rather than traditional marinara and mozzarella. The dressing, often combined with sour cream and flour, creates a velvety layer that keeps the chicken moist while infusing it with the signature tangy and garlicky Caesar flavor. Unlike typical fried chicken dishes, this recipe emphasizes baking, which provides a lighter texture without sacrificing richness.
Where Youll Typically Find It
Baked Caesar Chicken is commonly served in home kitchens as a family-friendly dinner option, often paired with steamed vegetables, rice, or a fresh side salad. In restaurants, it appears in casual dining and bistro-style menus, offering an approachable twist on classic Italian-American cuisine. Its versatility also makes it a popular choice for meal prep, catered lunches, or dinner parties where a flavorful yet simple main course is desired.
Interesting Facts
- The dish's topping combines crushed croutons with Parmesan cheese and butter, which mimics the crispiness of traditional Caesar salad croutons but with added richness.
- Substituting panko breadcrumbs for croutons is a common adaptation that creates a lighter, airier crust without changing the iconic flavor profile.
- The combination of Caesar dressing and sour cream is unique to this baked version, providing a tangy, creamy coating that differentiates it from other baked chicken recipes.
- Despite its indulgent appearance, Baked Caesar Chicken can be prepared in under 45 minutes, making it an efficient weeknight meal.
- Many home cooks experiment with chicken thighs or a mix of white and dark meat to add extra juiciness while retaining the characteristic Caesar flavor.
FAQ about Baked Caesar Chicken Recipe
Comments
Karen
10/06/2025 01:52:54 PM
This was delicious! I used boneless skinless chicken breasts and thighs. Other than that, followed the recipe exactly. Really good! Chicken was very moist.
DREGINEK
07/30/2023 12:20:13 AM
Loved this! Since there is just two of us, instead of pounding the chicken to the stated thickness, took two larger chicken breasts and halved. Other than that, didn’t change a thing but! I did have to cover with foil the last 5-7 min of cooking since the top was getting a bit too browned. Served with pan fried leeks and wild rice. Delicious!! Super easy and very delicious! Thanks Juliana Hale!
pnwtransplant
03/25/2024 11:03:10 PM
We are so absolutely bored with food, which makes it an absolute struggle every mealtime to find ANYthing folks will actually want to eat. I did made a few minor mods (added a healthy amount of garlic power and dried parsley to the sauce, used whole wheat bread crumbs instead of crushed croutons b/c that's what I had on hand ... also, didn't use the melted butter, but sprayed the top of the crumb/cheese mix with EVOO). All in all, well received and the chicken breasts were very moist/juicy (even though someone reheated fast food, instead of eating the dinner I prepared [AHEM!] ... they may get to sleep outside, tonight!). I may tone down the dressing for my people (they aren't big sauce fans). Served it with chicken rice and steamed asparagus ... may not have hit all the food groups (missing fruit, I believe), but maybe next time will throw in some grape tomatoes? Will keep this in the rotation ... great change of pace!
Irene Morales Ward
08/21/2024 12:38:47 AM
I had a feeling the amount of dressing (1 cup) was going to be too much but I followed the recipe. Only change was that I used ranch instead of Caesar dressing and added onion and garlic powder and refrigerated it for an hour before baking. Taste was great but it was entirely too much dressing for my taste. Going to make it again, though, with 1/4 cup of dressing and 1/4 cup of sour cream next time. That would be plenty for 1.5 - 2 lbs of chicken breast. Chicken was incredibly moist!
GiftedCress8880
02/04/2024 09:30:01 PM
My family loved it. I measured all the ingredients with love (I used the entire crouton bag). I took someone's advice here and cut the chicken breast in half and added garlic powder. However you decide to do it, you can't go wrong! It's scrumptious! I will definitely be making this again.
SavvyBeet2376
08/12/2025 10:19:29 PM
Very tasty. Husband loved it. I didn't have croutons so I used panko instead. Turned out to be a good substitution.
Patty K
07/05/2023 02:05:17 PM
This was fantastic! The only substitution was that we used boneless skinless chicken thighs instead of breasts. Had it for dinner last night with roasted potatoes and sauteed zucchini. Hubby and I are still raving! A definite keeper!
JulieCrane1
03/07/2024 07:34:34 PM
This was my first go. Had 2 lbs of boneless skinless breasts. They came out totally moist and we're pretty flavorful. I used the panko and seasoned w Italian seasoning option. However, recipe called for waay too much and the dish came out "dusty" as a result. Next time I'll reduce to half the panko and double the butter. Will combine over stove top until all panko damp. Will then allow to cool and combine w double the Parmesan. I'll add just a bit to the dressing, sour cream, flour mix and reserve the remainder for topping. I gave it a 4 star because this was super easy, pretty tasty, not a big clean-up and great to pair w a salad.
Rachel Gonzalez
06/10/2025 11:42:54 PM
Hands down one of my favorites now.
Loretta Layton Usilton
02/23/2024 11:50:14 AM
Make this for the first time two nights ago. Cut the recipe in half because there's only two of us. Overall, we both agreed that we liked it. However, I felt it was a bit too salty. Next time, not going to add salt to the chicken before baking. I may take someone else's suggestion and add a little garlic powder.
JRsMama
09/19/2024 10:53:03 PM
I've made this multiple times. Some times, exactly as written; some times adapted to fit what I had on hand. My family loves it and can't tell when I make some of the substitutions. 1) I usually use Ken's Simply Vinaigrette Caesar dressing but Ken's Simply Greek also works really well (so does true Caesar dressing, but that costs a lot more). 2) I frequently use panko crumbs instead of crushed croutons - easier and more likely to have in the pantry (no one snacks on panko crumbs like they do croutons). 3) I make even a little MORE sauce, bc my kids love the sauce with the rice I serve on the side.
KindOrzo2875
09/10/2025 05:52:35 PM
I cut the recipe down to just two servings. It had good flavor and was easy to put together.
karuso3
06/04/2025 10:50:28 PM
good stuff.
RowdyWhey7752
03/11/2025 03:43:30 PM
Delicious! Made it as directed. We all loved it!
AquaZest1425
02/16/2025 02:36:03 AM
I will definitely be making this again
Linda Bowley
02/04/2025 12:46:30 AM
This dish is so delicious!!! I did substitute home made ranch dressing but everything else i followed exactly. The chicken is tender and so yummy.
pleborio
01/10/2025 05:50:01 PM
So much flavor! So easy!!
Debra Clemons
12/29/2024 12:03:22 AM
My family loved the Caesar Chicken. I paired it with a Caesar salad, corn, and potatoes.
Sharon H
12/24/2024 12:48:19 AM
This was easy to assemble and turned out tasty. I did not add any additional salt because the dressing and croutons make it plenty salty. I used Ken's Creamy Caesar dressing.
SpiffyWhey4243
12/09/2024 05:14:03 PM
I made this with homemade creamy Caesar dressing; the kind made with mayo, sour cream, etc. (no achove). It was delicious and the chicken breasts were incredibly moist. Love it