Best 3 Baked Cheesy Chicken Marinara Recipes

**Baked Cheesy Chicken Marinara: A Flavorful and Comforting Dish**

Indulge in the delectable flavors of Baked Cheesy Chicken Marinara, a culinary masterpiece that combines tender chicken, tangy marinara sauce, and a blanket of melted cheese. This classic Italian-inspired dish is a symphony of flavors and textures, perfect for any occasion. From the crispy, golden-brown chicken to the rich, savory marinara, and the gooey, melted cheese, every bite is a journey of culinary delight.

**Introducing the Delectable Recipes:**

1. **Baked Cheesy Chicken Marinara:** The star of the show, this recipe guides you through the process of creating the ultimate comfort food. With step-by-step instructions, you'll learn how to bake succulent chicken breasts coated in a flavorful marinara sauce and topped with a generous layer of cheese.

2. **Homemade Marinara Sauce:** Elevate your Baked Cheesy Chicken Marinara with a homemade marinara sauce. This recipe provides a simple and authentic method for crafting a rich, flavorful sauce using fresh tomatoes, herbs, and spices.

3. **Easy Garlic Bread:** Complete your meal with a batch of easy garlic bread. This classic side dish adds a touch of garlicky goodness to complement the main course. With a few simple ingredients, you'll have perfectly toasted bread brushed with garlic butter and herbs.

4. **Simple Salad:** Balance the richness of the Baked Cheesy Chicken Marinara with a simple salad. This recipe offers a refreshing combination of greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and a tangy vinaigrette dressing.

5. **Tiramisu:** End your culinary journey on a sweet note with a classic Italian dessert, Tiramisu. This no-bake cake features layers of coffee-soaked ladyfingers, creamy mascarpone filling, and a dusting of cocoa powder.

Prepare to tantalize your taste buds and immerse yourself in the culinary journey of Baked Cheesy Chicken Marinara. With these carefully curated recipes, you'll create a meal that will leave your family and friends craving for more.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

CHEESY BAKED ORZO WITH MARINARA

Cheesy Baked Orzo With Marinara image

A vegetarian weeknight pasta that's as comforting as it is easy, this dish will win over adults and kids alike (red-pepper flakes optional!). While fresh mozzarella can become tough and chewy when baked, shredded low-moisture mozzarella melts beautifully. Serve this with a simple, lemony arugula salad or a Caesar salad for ultimate weeknight comfort.

Provided by Lidey Heuck

Categories dinner, casseroles, pastas, main course

Time 40m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 10

Ingredients

Kosher salt and black pepper
1 cup orzo
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 teaspoons minced garlic (about 2 cloves)
1/4 teaspoon red-pepper flakes
5 ounces fresh baby spinach (about 7 cups)
1 (24- to 25-ounce) jar marinara sauce
1/2 cup chopped fresh basil leaves, plus torn or sliced basil for serving
1 cup shredded low-moisture mozzarella cheese (about 4 ounces)
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Steps:

Heat the oven to 375 degrees and bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Add the orzo and cook according to package instructions until just al dente. Drain the orzo and set aside.
Meanwhile, in a very large (12-inch) ovenproof skillet, heat the olive oil over medium. Add the garlic and red-pepper flakes and cook until fragrant (don't let the garlic burn), about 30 seconds to 1 minute. Add the spinach and a pinch of salt and cook, tossing often, until wilted, about 2 minutes. Add the marinara, basil, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally, then remove from heat.
Stir the cooked orzo into the sauce. Stir in the mozzarella, sprinkle the Parmesan on top, and bake, uncovered, until the Parmesan is melted and the pasta is heated through, 15 to 20 minutes. Sprinkle with additional basil, and serve warm.

THE BEST PARMESAN CHICKEN BAKE

The Best Parmesan Chicken Bake image

This chicken Parmesan is done casserole style (so, no breading or frying!), but still offers up that irresistible combination of tender chicken, crunchy/cheesy coating, and flavorful sauce.

Provided by Chef John

Categories World Cuisine Recipes European Italian

Time 50m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 9

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil
2 cloves garlic, crushed and finely chopped
¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, or to taste
6 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
2 cups prepared marinara sauce
¼ cup chopped fresh basil
1 (8 ounce) package shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
1 (5 ounce) package garlic croutons

Steps:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Coat the bottom of a 9x13 inch casserole dish with olive oil, and sprinkle with garlic and hot red pepper flakes.
Arrange the chicken breasts in bottom of the dish, and pour marinara sauce over chicken. Sprinkle basil over marinara sauce, and top with half the mozzarella cheese, followed by half the Parmesan cheese. Sprinkle on the croutons, then top with the remaining mozzarella cheese and remaining Parmesan cheese.
Bake in preheated oven until cheese and croutons are golden brown and the chicken is no longer pink inside, about 35 minutes to an hour, depending on the shape and thickness of your chicken breasts. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of a chicken breast should read at least 160 degrees F (70 degrees C).

Nutrition Facts : Calories 477 calories, Carbohydrate 28 g, Cholesterol 100.2 mg, Fat 21.7 g, Fiber 3.4 g, Protein 40.3 g, SaturatedFat 8.2 g, Sodium 1022.4 mg, Sugar 8.9 g

LOW-CARB CHEESY CHICKEN CASSEROLE

Low-Carb Cheesy Chicken Casserole image

A quick and easy, low-carb chicken casserole recipe.

Provided by Dana Stiles

Categories Meat and Poultry Recipes Chicken Chicken Breast Recipes

Time 1h

Yield 10

Number Of Ingredients 13

Ingredients

2 tablespoons margarine
2 tablespoons minced garlic
5 skinless, boneless chicken breasts, chopped
1 pinch garlic powder, or to taste
1 pinch dried basil, or to taste
1 pinch dried oregano, or to taste
salt and ground black pepper to taste
1 (16 ounce) container ricotta cheese
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
½ cup milk
1 large egg
1 (28 ounce) jar vodka marinara sauce

Steps:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Melt margarine in a roasting pan with minced garlic in the preheated oven. Add chicken, garlic powder, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper; mix well.
Bake in the preheated oven until chicken is no longer pink, 20 to 25 minutes. Remove from the oven but leave the oven on.
Mix ricotta, 1 cup mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese, milk, and egg together in a bowl. Spread evenly over the top of the chicken. Pour vodka marinara sauce over top and spread evenly.
Return to the oven and bake for 20 minutes. Sprinkle remaining mozzarella cheese on top. Continue to bake until melted, about 10 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 329.3 calories, Carbohydrate 15.3 g, Cholesterol 86.1 mg, Fat 16.4 g, Fiber 2.1 g, Protein 28.5 g, SaturatedFat 8.2 g, Sodium 765.9 mg, Sugar 7.7 g

Tips:

To ensure the chicken is cooked thoroughly, use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature has reached 165°F (74°C).
For a crispy chicken coating, make sure the chicken is well-coated in breadcrumbs before baking.
If you don't have marinara sauce on hand, you can use your favorite pasta sauce instead.
Feel free to add your favorite seasonings or vegetables to the dish, such as garlic, onions, or bell peppers.
Serve the baked cheesy chicken marinara with a side of pasta, rice, or roasted vegetables.

Conclusion:

Baked cheesy chicken marinara is a delicious and easy-to-make meal that is perfect for busy weeknights. With its crispy chicken coating, flavorful marinara sauce, and melted cheese, this dish is sure to be a hit with the whole family. Plus, it's a great way to use up leftover chicken. So next time you're looking for a quick and easy dinner idea, give this recipe a try.