Elevate your weeknight dinner experience with Lazy Chicken Parmesan, a simplified yet delectable version of the classic dish that requires minimal effort and promises maximum flavor. This quick and healthy twist eliminates the traditional breading and frying process, making it a perfect choice for busy days.
How to Make Lazy Chicken Parmesan
Begin by preheating your oven to 375°F and grabbing a spacious 13×9 pan. Pour in a jar and a half of your favorite tomato sauce.
Add a half cup of shredded Parmesan cheese and mix the cheese and sauce together.
Opt for 1 to 2 pounds of thinly sliced chicken breasts. For efficiency, you can use whole chicken breasts cut in half. Coating the chicken thoroughly in the pasta sauce ensures a burst of flavor in every bite.
Cover the pan tightly with foil and bake at 375°F for 30 minutes. This step allows the chicken to cook tenderly in the rich tomato sauce, infusing it with irresistible flavors.
After 30 minutes, remove the foil and sprinkle an additional half cup of Parmesan cheese over the chicken. For the gooey delight, add about 3/4 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese.
Return the pan to the oven for another 10 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the chicken reaches a delightful bubbling state. The result? A healthy and cheesy Lazy Chicken Parmesan that’s sure to please the whole family.
What To Serve With Lazy Enchiladas
Pair this delightful dish with your favorite pasta, like bow tie or farfalle, and perhaps a refreshing Olive Garden-inspired salad.
Zucchini noodles are also a heath conscious option that taste great!
I also think this would taste good along side any of the options below:
- Roasted Asparagus
- Brussels Sprouts and Butternut Squash
- Slow Cooker Green Beans and Bacon
- Grandma’s Green Beans
Make it Healthier:
I’m always looking for new ways to add veggies to my dishes. Here are some ideas to add more nutrients to this dish:
- Add fresh or drained, cooked frozen spinach to the sauce.
- Saute sliced mushrooms, zucchini, summer squash, or onions (or any combination of these you choose) and add them to the sauce.
- Use nutritional yeast instead of parmesan.
- Either don’t serve the chicken with pasta at all, choose fortified/gluten free pasta, or use zucchini noodles for extra nurtritents!
Make it Kid Friendly:
I always recommend you adjust recipes based on what your family likes. If your kids or even other family members are weary of this dish here are some swap recommendations to get them trying new things without serving a completely different dish:
- Choose a vegetable side that your kids like. It’s great to try new things but if there is one or a few veggie sides you know they enjoy, rotate those best you can to ensure optimal nutrition.
- Don’t forget the parmesan cheese for sprinkling at the table! This almost always gets my kids more excited about a meal.
- Sometimes, just cutting up a different shaped item into smaller pieces can make kids more familiar with what they are seeing.
- You could cook the chicken separate from the sauce. Maybe just serve the sauce in a little bowl on the side for what I call a “No thank you bite.” This allows kids try new things without the stress of needing the finish the entire item.
- If you are serving the chicken without the sauce, ketchup and ranch dressing can encourage kids to eat as well.
Swap Ideas:
- You could use boneless skinless chicken thighs in this meal as well. It will just be a bit more oily.
- If you don’t have fresh chicken, this is a great dish to use frozen chicken patties, tenders, or even nuggets. All taste good here!
- If you don’t have tomato sauce but you have some canned tomatoes, try this quick recipe for sauce.
Shopping Tips:
- Stock up on your favorite meats when they go on sale and freeze them. In this case, chicken breast or boneless skinless thighs is what you’re looking for.
- Buy multiple boxes of pasta when you can find it for $1 or less. Pasta lasts a long time in your cabinet and is great to have on hand.
- Block and shredded cheese can be frozen so if you find a good deal on parmesan, stocking up and freezing it might not be a bad idea.
- Always look at unit price for cheese, the blocks are often less expensive per lb than shredded and shredding at home just makes better cheese anyway.
- Aldi and Walmart are usually the cheapest place to buy pasta sauce. I generally like Classico sauce so I wait for it to go on sale at my local grocery store and stock up. I also watch for coupons for this since it’s a more expensive sauce.
As always, please share your own recommendations on how to make this dish healthier, more kid friendly, swap ideas, and budget shopping tips in the comments!
FOR MORE INEXPENSIVE FAMILY RECIPES CHECK OUT THESE VIDEOS:
- 3 Delicious Pantry Friendly Meals
- 105 Meals for $115 – Feeding My Family For a week
- The Top 10 Secrets to saving big on food!
MORE WEEKNIGHT RECIPES TO TRY:
- Instant Pot Chicken and Potatoes
- Cheesy Tortellini Bake(My Kids LOVE THIS!)
- Rotisserie Chicken Enchiladas! (These are SO EASY!)
Lazy Chicken Parmesan
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 5 1x
Description
Indulge in the simplicity of Lazy Chicken Parmesan, a healthier twist on the classic recipe. Skip the breading and frying, and let the oven work its magic with tomato sauce, shredded Parmesan, and mozzarella cheese. Effortless, delicious, and ready in just 40 minutes. Pair it with your favorite pasta for a satisfying meal that’s perfect for busy nights.
Ingredients
- 1.5 jars of tomato sauce
- 1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese (divided)
- 1–2 lbs thinly sliced chicken breasts
- 3/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- Optional: Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a 13×9 pan, combine the tomato sauce and half a cup of shredded Parmesan cheese. Mix well.
- Place thinly sliced chicken breasts in the sauce, ensuring each piece is thoroughly coated.
- Cover the pan tightly with foil and bake for 30 minutes.
- After 30 minutes, remove the foil and sprinkle another half cup of Parmesan cheese over the chicken.
- Add shredded mozzarella cheese to your liking.
- Return the pan to the oven for an additional 10 minutes or until the cheese is melted, and the chicken is bubbly.
- Optional: Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve hot, and enjoy your Healthy Lazy Chicken Parmesan!
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 40
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