Easy Weeknight Chicken Parmesan Bake

Craving the rich flavors of classic Italian cuisine but short on time? This Easy Weeknight Chicken Parmesan turns simple pantry staples into a mouthwatering dinner that’s ready in just 30 minutes! Say goodbye to complicated recipes and hello to this quick shortcut that delivers all the comforting taste of traditional chicken parmesan without the fuss or mess.

I used to feel so rushed at dinnertime when my kids were young and involved in all sorts of sports and after school activities. I loved having recipes like this one that came together quickly and easily and made everyone excited to gather around the table after a busy day.

Easiest Chicken Parmesan

Tired of complicated chicken parmesan recipes that take forever to prepare? This 5-ingredient wonder will change your dinner game forever! By using frozen breaded chicken tenders instead of making your own breading station with egg wash and breadcrumbs, you’ll save precious time without sacrificing flavor. Just layer, bake, and enjoy perfectly golden brown chicken smothered in bubbling cheese and savory tomato sauce. This easiest chicken parmesan recipe delivers all the Italian restaurant taste with a fraction of the effort—no flour-coated countertops or oil splatters in sight!

If you love this Easy Weeknight Chicken Parmesan, you are sure to love these too: Chicken Piccata, Spatchcock Chicken Sheet Pan Dinner, and Sweet and Sour Chicken.

Fast Chicken Parmesan Bake

This fast chicken parmesan bake is a game changer for busy weeknights. With school activities, work commitments, and everyday life pulling us in different directions, having a perfect weeknight meal like this easy chicken parmesan recipe in your arsenal is essential. It’s still a homemade, hot meal—not fast food—and it’s on the table in about 30 minutes from prep to serving!

The best part about this easy baked chicken parmesan is that aside from the pasta, everything cooks in one 9×13 baking dish! It’s truly a one-dish dinner that brings the whole family together around the table. Even better, it’s just as delicious the next time you eat it, making the leftovers a welcome meal for lunch or dinner the following day.

What makes this version of chicken parmesan different from classic chicken parmesan? Traditional chicken parmesan requires setting up a breading station with egg wash and a breadcrumb mixture, then pan frying each piece of chicken to achieve that crispy crust. This weeknight chicken parmesan recipe skips those steps entirely by using pre-breaded chicken tenders, making it perfect for those nights when you need dinner on the table quickly.

Weeknight Chicken Parmesan

This weeknight chicken parmesan recipe is the solution to your busy schedule. It’s an easy chicken dinner that comes together in minutes but tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen. The simple combination of quality ingredients creates a delicious chicken parmesan that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Another great thing about this recipe is how easily it can be adapted for smaller families. These days, many of us are cooking for just two people, and this recipe scales down perfectly. Just reduce the amount of chicken, cheese, and sauce while keeping the baking time the same for a perfect dinner for two.

Ingredients in Easy Chicken Parmesan

For complete ingredients and instructions, scroll to the bottom of this post for the full printable recipe.

• Spaghetti Sauce – Store-bought sauce saves time, but you can use homemade marinara for extra flavor.
• Frozen Breaded Chicken Tenders – Using pre-breaded chicken tenders (like Tyson’s) eliminates the need for egg mixture and breading from scratch.
• Parmesan Cheese – Freshly grated parmesan cheese melts better than pre-grated and adds authentic flavor to this parmesan recipe.
• Mozzarella Cheese – Either sliced or shredded mozzarella works beautifully for that classic stretchy cheese pull.
• Pasta – Any pasta shape works well as a base for this Italian dish, from spaghetti to penne.

Be sure to keep reading to find tips and tricks, substitutions, and answers to questions you may have about this easy weeknight chicken parmesan recipe.

How to Make The Best Easy Chicken Parmesan Recipe

This easy chicken parmigiana recipe comes together quickly with minimal prep work:

Preheat your oven to 375°F and prepare a 9×13 baking dish with cooking spray. Pour a small amount of sauce to cover the bottom of the dish.

Arrange the frozen chicken tenders in a single layer on top of the sauce, then pour the remaining tomato sauce over them to keep the chicken moist during baking.

Sprinkle with parmesan cheese, then top with mozzarella slices.

Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes, then uncover and bake 5-8 minutes more until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.

Serve with pasta topped with grated parmesan cheese.

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. This chicken parmesan casserole reheats beautifully in the microwave or oven and can even be frozen for up to 3 months.

Love it? Pin it!

If you love this Easy Weeknight Chicken Parmesan Recipe, make sure that you don’t lose it! Pin it to your favorite Pinterest recipe board before you go!

Substitutions

Remember that when it comes to making substitutions in recipes, you don’t need to be afraid to get creative and use ingredients that suit your personal taste and dietary preferences. Make it your own!

• Instead of frozen breaded chicken tenders, you can use boneless skinless chicken breasts pounded to a uniform size with a meat mallet or rolling pin, then breaded with Italian bread crumbs or panko breadcrumbs.
• For a lighter version, use chicken cutlets seasoned with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and onion powder instead of breaded chicken.
• No mozzarella slices? Use shredded mozzarella or even a mix of Italian cheeses.

FAQs about Easy Chicken Parmesan

• What’s the difference between chicken parmesan and chicken parmigiana? There’s no difference – chicken parmigiana is simply the Italian name for chicken parmesan. Both refer to the same delicious dish of breaded chicken topped with tomato sauce and cheese.
• How to make easy chicken parmigiana? The easiest method is to use pre-breaded chicken tenders, top with sauce and cheese, then bake until bubbly. For a from-scratch version, bread chicken cutlets, bake or pan fry until crispy, then top with sauce and cheese.
• What kind of sauce goes on chicken parmesan? Traditionally, a simple tomato or marinara sauce is used. You can use store-bought sauce or homemade sauce, depending on your preference and time constraints.
• What kind of cheese goes on top of chicken parmesan? Classic chicken parmesan uses a combination of parmesan cheese and mozzarella cheese. The parmesan adds flavor, while the mozzarella provides that characteristic melty stretchiness.

Tips & Tricks

• For extra flavor, add a sprinkle of Italian seasoning, garlic powder, or red pepper flakes to your sauce.
• When serving, garnish with fresh basil or fresh parsley for a pop of color and flavor.
• For a lower-carb option, serve over zucchini noodles instead of pasta.
• Make sure to cover the dish with foil during the initial baking to keep the chicken moist.

More Recipes to Love

Looking for more easy weeknight meals? Try my Chicken Parmesan Soup (pictured above), or this Antipasto Pasta Salad, Spicy Baked Chicken Tenders, or BLT Pasta. If you’re in the mood for more Italian-inspired dishes, don’t miss my Baked Spaghetti and Meatballs or Chicken and Mushroom Florentine Pasta.

This easy chicken parmesan recipe is the perfect solution for busy weeknights when you need a delicious, family-friendly meal on the table fast. Serve it over a bed of pasta with a side of garlic bread for a complete meal that will have everyone asking for seconds. With its perfect balance of crispy chicken, tangy sauce, and melty cheese, this weeknight chicken parmesan is sure to become a regular in your dinner rotation!

This recipe was originally posted on August 8, 2014. It was updated to improve user experience and reshared on March 14, 2025.