The Easiest (and Smallest) Chicken Parm

Ingredients

• 1 piece Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast (about 8 ounces, trimmed)
• 1 teaspoon Olive Oil (extra virgin)
• 0.25 teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes (pinch)
• 0.5 teaspoon Salt (kosher or table salt)
• 0.25 teaspoon Freshly Ground Black Pepper (freshly ground)
• 0.5 cup Marinara Sauce (store‑bought or homemade)
• 0.5 cup shredded Low‑Moisture Mozzarella Cheese (shredded)
• 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan Cheese (freshly grated Parmigiano‑Reggiano)
• 0.5 cup Croutons (store‑bought or homemade, broken into pieces)
• 1 teaspoon chopped Fresh Italian Parsley (optional garnish)

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven

   Set the oven to 400°F and allow it to fully preheat.

   Time: PT10M

   Temperature: 400°F

2. Oil and Flake the Dish

   Drizzle 1 teaspoon olive oil into the small casserole dish and sprinkle a pinch of red pepper flakes, then swirl to coat the bottom.

   Time: PT3M

3. Season the Chicken

   Season both sides of the chicken breast with ½ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper.

   Time: PT3M

4. Add Sauce

   Place the seasoned chicken in the dish, smooth‑side down, and spoon ½ cup marinara sauce over the top, covering the breast completely.

   Time: PT4M

5. First Layer of Cheese

   Sprinkle half of the shredded mozzarella and half of the grated Parmesan over the sauce.

   Time: PT2M

6. Add Croutons

   Break about half of the croutons into bite‑size pieces, leave the rest whole, and scatter them over the cheese layer.

   Time: PT2M

7. Second Layer of Cheese

   Top the croutons with the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan.

   Time: PT2M

8. Bake

   Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30–35 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 145–150°F.

   Time: PT35M

   Temperature: 400°F

9. Rest and Garnish

   Remove the casserole, let it rest for 5 minutes, then sprinkle with chopped Italian parsley if desired before serving.

   Time: PT5M

Nutrition Facts

Calories

550

Protein

45 g

Carbohydrates

30 g

Fat

25 g

Fiber

2 g