Ground Chicken Parmesan
A comforting dish layered with tender ground chicken, gooey melted cheese, and rich marinara, perfect for an effortless weekday dinner.
Ingredients
For the breadcrumb topping
- 1 tablespoon butter, unsalted Melted for toasting breadcrumbs
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs Provides a crunchy topping
- ¼ teaspoon salt For seasoning breadcrumbs
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon Italian seasoning
For the chicken mixture
- 1 tablespoon oil For sautéing onions
- 1 small onion, diced Adds sweetness and flavor
- 1 teaspoon salt, divided To season chicken mixture
- 4 cloves garlic, roughly chopped Enhances flavor
- 2 pounds ground chicken Main protein of the dish
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 770 mL marinara sauce (1 jar Rao's) Use good quality for best flavor
- 1 cup grated parmesan For garnishing
- 2 sprigs basil For garnish
- 1½ to 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese Melts beautifully on top
Instructions
Preparation
- Melt the unsalted butter in a skillet over medium heat.
- Add the panko breadcrumbs, ¼ teaspoon of salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and Italian seasoning. Stir until the breadcrumbs are evenly coated and lightly golden.
- Set the breadcrumb mixture aside for later.
Cooking
- In the same skillet, add the oil and diced onion. Sauté until onions are soft and translucent.
- Add the chopped garlic and cook for one minute until fragrant.
- Add the ground chicken, remaining salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and dried oregano. Cook until the chicken is no longer pink.
- Pour in the marinara sauce and stir well. Let it simmer for a few minutes.
Baking
- Spread the ground chicken mixture in a baking dish.
- Sprinkle grated parmesan over the top, followed by the breadcrumb topping.
- Add dollops of shredded mozzarella on top.
- Bake until the top is bubbly and golden brown.
Notes
For extra crunch, briefly broil the dish at the end of cooking. Use a good quality marinara sauce for better flavor. Allow the dish to sit before cutting for clean slices.