An easy baked Chicken Parmesan recipe ready for the oven OR freezer in 5 minutes or less. The perfect recipe to add to your busy weeknight dinner ideas.
With a couple of prep pro tips and dinner hacks, this easy Baked Chicken Parmesan dinner can be ready to bake or freeze in about 5 minutes. I promise this baked chicken parmesan recipe packs so much flavor and comes out so juicy. Booyah!
The best part about this recipe for my family other than it’s DELICIOUS is the fact that I can make this ahead of time and freeze it for a busy night. This Chicken Parmesan recipe can even be baked from frozen–see the full printable recipe card below. As a busy mom of 4 littles, that’s a HUGE benefit. When I make this recipe, I typically make 3-4 pans, bake one for dinner and freeze the rest for busy nights or when I need a meal to send to a friend in need.
HOW TO MAKE THIS BAKED CHICKEN PARMESAN RECIPE:
There are two methods of making this Baked Chicken Parmesan recipe. You can make it and baking or prep it and freeze it for later. I like to both at the same time.
PRO TIP #1: If making a freezer meal, plan to freeze the chicken parmesan (raw) in disposable aluminum tins. They make freezing and clean up a serious breeze. I buy disposable tins from my local Dollar Tree or at Sam’s Club but you can also find them online here. Note if you plan to double the recipe, go with about a 9×13 inch pan like these.
Steps to making baked Chicken Parmesan (prep ahead) freezer meal method:
- First, pour the sauce in the bottom of the pan.
- Place the chicken breasts on the sauce. Sprinkle mozzarella cheese over the chicken.
- In a small Ziploc bag, mix dried parsley, parmesan cheese, and panko crumbs.
- Place the baggie in the pan on top of chicken.
- Cover and freeze.
There are a lot of Parmesan Chicken recipes out there that claim to be freezer meals. This recipe is one of the best because you freeze it before you cook it. This way it is hot and BAKED fresh when you’re ready to use it. I love the concept of “prep-ahead” freezer meals rather than a cook then freeze meal. It comes out hot, freshly cooked rather than just reheated from frozen (although there are some recipes I do cook and freeze such as chili).
See the full recipe below for baking instructions.
WHAT GOES WELL WITH BAKED CHICKEN PARMESAN:
There are many side dishes that go well with this easy Chicken Parmesan but the classic side would be spaghetti. We also like to serve this with Ultimate Cheesy Garlic Knots, french bread or even spaghetti squash or zoodles (spiral cut zucchini) when we want something on the lighter side of things.
Other side dishes and desserts that would pair well with this Baked Chicken Parmesan recipe:
- Keto-Friendly Parmesan Zucchini & Brussels Sprouts – buttery, cheesy and soooo good!
- Tomato Salad with Fresh Italian Herbs – light, refreshing and perfect for summer!
- 45-Minute Basil Pesto Rolls – fast and easy to make.
- Easy Double Chocolate Cream Pie – only takes about 5 minutes to make!
- 5-Minute Cherry Cheesecake – a no-bake recipe you need to try!
If you’re looking for an awesome salad recipe to serve with this delicious easy Baked Chicken Parmesan, check out this Caesar Salad recipe over at Natasha’s Kitchen.
COST TO MAKE BAKED CHICKEN PARMESAN AT HOME:
It never gets old to see how much cheaper a recipe like Chicken Parmesan costs when made at home. Check out my price check below. Warning, this will blow your mind!
Prices for supplies may vary depending on location and store you purchase groceries from. I try to shop bulk food stores, use coupons, watch ads and shop sales (like case lot), buy supplies in bulk to save money in the long run and use homegrown produce and herbs when available.
HERE IS MY INGREDIENTS LIST AND COST FOR THIS CHICKEN PARMESAN RECIPE:
- Chicken – $1.99 (I typically buy chicken breasts in bulk for under $1.60/lb but Walmart almost always has it for $1.99 a pound)
- Marinara/spaghetti sauce – $1.19 (watch for case lot deals. I usually buy a case of 12 jars for about 99¢ a jar).
- Italian seasoning – had on hand (a small bottle of this can be purchased at Dollar Tree for $1)
- Garlic Powder – had on hand (you can also sometimes find this at Dollar Tree)
- Mozzarella cheese – $0.25
- Parmesan cheese – $0.40
- Dried parsley – had on hand (you can also find this for $1 at Dollar Tree)
- Panko bread crumbs – $0.21
If I make this recipe in bulk (3-4 double recipes to freeze) and purchase the dried seasonings from the dollar store, each 4 serving recipe costs about $4.75. That’s crazy talk! Less than $5 for a 4 serving chicken main dish. I love cheap, delicious meals like this inexpensive Chicken Parmesan! Yay!
PRO TIP #2: When you buy supplies and ingredients in bulk they can be much cheaper.
PRO TIP #3: When making this easy freezer-friendly meal, make a couple of extra recipes in disposable tins and freeze them. It might take a few more minutes to make them all but will save you time and money in the weeks to come (and you will still end up with a freshly baked delicious meal on the nights you choose to bake up this Chicken Parmesan dish)!
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE FREEZER-FRIENDLY MEAL?
We also love this A-MAZING Sheperd’s Pie Casserole recipe! It’s another “prep-ahead” freezer-friendly meal that’s awesome to have ready in the freezer for those busy weeknights.
I hope you love this easy dinner recipe as much as I (and my family) do! Enjoy!
Easiest Baked Chicken Parmesan (prep-ahead, freezer-friendly)
An easy baked Chicken Parmesan recipe ready for the oven OR freezer in 5 minutes or less. The perfect recipe to add to your busy weeknight dinner ideas.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups marinara sauce or spaghetti sauce
- 3/4 Tbs Italian seasoning
- 3/4 tsp garlic powder
- 1 lb chicken breast PIECES, 4 oz each, cut or pounded to about 3/4 inch thick to help with even cooking
- 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese
- 3/4 tsp dried parsley
- 1/3 cup parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup panko crumbs
Instructions
FREEZER TIN:
- Spread sauce in bottom of pan (8x8 inch disposable tin). Sprinkle Italian seasoning and garlic powder over sauce.
- Place chicken breasts on sauce. Sprinkle mozzarella cheese on chicken breasts.
- In a small Ziploc bag, mix dried parsley, parmesan cheese and panko crumbs. Place bag in pan on top of chicken. Cover and freeze.
- Thaw in refrigerator or cook from frozen.
COOKING INSTRUCTIONS:
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
Cook from THAWED:
- Remove bag of seasoned Parmesan mix from pan, cover with foil, bake covered 30-40 min.
- Uncover and top with seasoned Parmesan mix.
- Bake uncovered for an additional 10-20 min until sauce is bubbling, golden brown and internal temp reaches 165°F.
- Remove from oven and let stand for 5 min. before serving.
FORGOT TO THAW?? Cook from FROZEN:
- Remove bag of seasoned Parmesan mix from pan, cover with tinfoil and bake for 80-90 min.
- Uncover and top with seasoned Parmesan mix.
- Bake uncovered for an additional 10-20 min. until sauce is bubbling, golden brown and internal temp reaches 165°F.
- Remove from oven and let stand for 5 min. before serving.
May serve with spaghetti squash, pasta or bread.
Notes
This recipe can easily be doubled. Use a 9x13 pan (disposable tin if freezing), a full jar (24oz) of spaghetti or marinara sauce, and all other ingredients doubled. May need to bake for additional time to reach 165°F.
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