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Crispy Pesto-Crusted Chicken Casserole

crispy pesto-crusted chicken casserole - featured image
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A cozy and satisfying casserole featuring a crispy pesto crust with creamy layers of tender chicken, melty cheese, and a subtle hint of garlic. Perfect for busy weeknights or laid-back weekends.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces
  • ½ cup basil pesto (store-bought or homemade)
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • Optional: Fresh basil leaves for garnish

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a sauté pan over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and garlic, cooking until softened and fragrant, about 3–4 minutes. Add the chicken pieces, seasoning with salt and pepper, and cook until just browned but not fully cooked through, about 5–6 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
  3. In a bowl, combine sour cream with half of the shredded mozzarella cheese and ½ cup basil pesto. Stir gently until smooth and well blended.
  4. In your baking dish, spread half of the creamy pesto mixture evenly on the bottom. Layer the sautéed chicken and onion mixture over that. Then, spread the remaining creamy pesto mixture on top of the chicken, smoothing it out. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese evenly over the top.
  5. In a small bowl, mix the panko breadcrumbs with grated Parmesan cheese and 1 tablespoon olive oil. Toss until the crumbs are evenly coated. Sprinkle this mixture generously over the top layer of cheese.
  6. Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25–30 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and crispy, and the casserole is bubbling around the edges.
  7. Allow the casserole to cool for 5 minutes after removing from the oven to let the layers set slightly before serving.

Notes

Do not overcook the chicken in the pan as it will finish cooking in the oven. Toast panko breadcrumbs lightly in olive oil before mixing with Parmesan for extra crunch and flavor. Use room temperature sour cream to prevent separation during baking. Season in layers and taste before baking. If topping browns too quickly, cover loosely with foil halfway through baking. Let casserole rest 5 minutes before serving to set layers.

Nutrition

Keywords: chicken casserole, pesto crust, creamy casserole, easy dinner, comfort food, baked chicken, panko topping

Find it online: https://avabake.com/crispy-pesto-crusted-chicken-casserole-recipe-5-easy-steps-to-perfect-creamy-layers/