Melt-In-Your-Mouth Caesar Chicken
Melt-In-Your-Mouth Caesar Chicken is a quick, easy, and incredibly tender dish featuring juicy chicken breasts marinated in creamy Caesar dressing and lemon juice, seared to a golden crust, and finished with Parmesan cheese. Perfect for busy weeknights or casual entertaining, this flavorful meal can be served as a main dish or sliced over salads and pasta for variety. With a rich yet fresh Caesar flavor, it’s a comforting and versatile recipe that’s kid-friendly and ready in under 30 minutes.
- Author: Emilly
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Skillet Searing
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Marinade
- 1/2 cup creamy Caesar dressing (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Cooking
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Garnish
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- Extra Caesar dressing (optional, for serving)
- Prepare the Marinade: In a shallow dish, combine the Caesar dressing, lemon juice, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Whisk together until well blended to create a creamy and tangy marinade base.
- Marinate the Chicken: Place the chicken breasts in the marinade, coating them evenly on all sides. Cover and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes; for deeper flavor, marinate for 2-3 hours.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Remove chicken from the marinade (reserve the marinade) and sear each side for 4-5 minutes until a golden crust forms, sealing in the juices.
- Add Parmesan and Finish Cooking: Lower the heat, pour the reserved marinade over the chicken, sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan cheese on top, and cover the skillet. Cook for an additional 5-7 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked and the cheese melts into a glaze.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the chicken from heat, sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley, and optionally drizzle with extra Caesar dressing. Serve immediately while warm and tender.
Notes
- Let chicken come to room temperature before cooking for even cooking and juiciness.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for superior flavor and texture.
- Avoid overcooking; cook chicken to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Reserve and use marinade during cooking to intensify flavor layers.
- Allow cooked chicken to rest for a few minutes before serving to redistribute juices.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast (approx. 6 oz)
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 3 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg
Keywords: Caesar chicken, quick chicken recipe, creamy chicken, skillet chicken, easy dinner, family-friendly chicken, weeknight meal, tender chicken, Parmesan chicken