Spoon Marinara And These 4 Ingredients Over Chicken for a Baked Dinner You’ll Want Again and Again

Introduction

One of those Italian American classics that never gets old is a simple baked chicken with marinara and cheese.

this …

You only need to spoon marinara and these 4 ingredients over chicken, and you have a dinner that feels special but takes almost no effort.

I love recipes that let me get dinner on the table without a sink full of dishes, and this one fits the bill perfectly.

The chicken bakes right in the sauce, so it stays moist and tender, and the melted mozzarella on top is pure comfort food.

Whether you are feeding a busy family or just want an easy weeknight meal, this dish delivers every time.

5 Ingredient Oven Baked Sliced Chicken Breast Parmesan

This is my take on a lighter, faster chicken Parmesan. Instead of breading and frying, you slice the chicken thin, season it simply, and let the oven do the work. The marinara and cheese create a rich, bubbly topping that tastes just as satisfying as the classic version. With only five main ingredients, it is proof that you do not need a long list to make something delicious.

Ingredients

Optional add ins: 2 3 cloves minced garlic, fresh basil for garnish, or a pinch of red pepper flakes.

Directions

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with olive oil or cooking spray.
2. Slice the chicken breasts horizontally into 1/2 inch thick cutlets. If they are uneven, pound them gently to an even thickness.
3. Place the cutlets in the dish in a single layer. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Rub the oil and seasoning all over the chicken.
4. Spoon the marinara sauce evenly over the chicken. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan on top.
5. Bake for 20 25 minutes, until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and the cheese is bubbly and starting to brown. For a golden crust, broil for 1 3 minutes at the end, watching closely.
6. Let the dish rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil if desired.

For extra flavor, you can sear the chicken cutlets in a hot skillet for 2 minutes per side before adding the sauce and cheese. This step adds a nice browned crust and deepens the savory taste.

Variations & Tips

This recipe is endlessly adaptable. Here are some of my favorite ways to change it up:

• Add crunch: Sprinkle a handful of panko breadcrumbs mixed with a little olive oil over the cheese before baking.
• Use chicken thighs: Boneless skinless thighs work great. They are often cheaper and stay very moist. Bake for 5 10 minutes longer, checking for 165°F.
• Add vegetables: Tuck a handful of fresh spinach or sliced zucchini under the chicken before spooning on the sauce. The vegetables will wilt into the marinara as it bakes, adding color and mild earthy notes.
• Make it spicy: Stir red pepper flakes into the marinara or use arrabbiata sauce instead.
• Go gluten free: This recipe is naturally gluten free as long as you use a gluten free marinara and skip any breadcrumbs.
• Dairy free option: Substitute mozzarella with a plant based cheese or simply omit the cheese for a lighter dish.

Storage: Leftovers keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the oven or microwave.

What to serve with it: This baked chicken is wonderful over spaghetti or angel hair pasta, alongside a simple green salad, or with crusty garlic bread to soak up the sauce. For a low carb meal, try zucchini noodles or roasted broccoli.

For another easy weeknight chicken dinner, try our Cheesy Marinara Chicken Bake or this Baked Chicken Breasts with Tomato Mozzarella.

Frequently Asked Questions

Baked Chicken Parmesan

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🍗 A lighter take on classic chicken Parmesan that skips the breading and frying while keeping all the cheesy, saucy comfort you crave. 🧀 With only five main ingredients and a single baking dish, this hands-off dinner comes together fast for busy weeknights.

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 4 small breasts)

1.5 cups jarred marinara sauce (thick and rich)

1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1 tablespoon olive oil

Salt and black pepper, to taste

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Instructions

1-Prepare the oven and dish: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.

2-Slice the chicken: Slice chicken breasts horizontally into 1/2-inch cutlets, pounding to even thickness if needed.

3-Season the chicken: Place cutlets in a single layer, drizzle with olive oil, season with salt and pepper, and rub all over.

4-Add sauce and cheese: Spoon marinara sauce over chicken, then top with shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan.

5-Bake until golden: Bake for 20-25 minutes until chicken reaches 165°F and cheese is bubbly and browned; optionally broil 1-3 minutes for a golden crust.

6-Rest and garnish: Let rest 5 minutes, then garnish with fresh basil if desired.

Last Step:

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Notes

🔥 For extra flavor, sear the chicken cutlets in a hot skillet for 2 minutes per side before adding the sauce and cheese to build a deeper savory crust.
🍗 Boneless skinless chicken thighs work great as a substitute; just bake 5 to 10 minutes longer and check for 165°F internal temperature.
🥡 Leftovers keep well in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days — reheat gently in the oven or microwave to keep the chicken moist.

• Author: Ruby Bennett
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Resting Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Baked
• Cuisine: Italian-American
• Diet: Gluten-Free

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 chicken cutlet with sauce and cheese
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 6g
• Sodium: 780mg
• Fat: 22g
• Saturated Fat: 9g
• Unsaturated Fat: 11g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 10g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 48g
• Cholesterol: 130mg