Hey there, fellow food lovers! Let me tell you about this Caprese Chicken Casserole that’s become my go-to for those nights when I want something that tastes fancy but doesn’t require me to be a master chef. It’s like summer in a baking dish, I swear!
Why This Casserole is My New Obsession
First off, it’s got all the flavors of a Caprese salad – you know, that irresistible combo of tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil – but it’s warm, gooey, and oh-so-satisfying. Plus, it’s got chicken, so it’s a full meal deal. Win-win!
My Lazy Cook Hacks
- Rotisserie chicken is your best friend here. I mean, who has time to cook chicken from scratch on a busy weeknight?
- Store-bought pesto. Sure, homemade is great, but let’s be real – sometimes we need shortcuts.
- Those little mozzarella balls? Perfect for this. No chopping required!
The “Oops, I Ate Half the Casserole” Struggle
Fair warning: the smell of this baking will drive you crazy. The first time I made it, I couldn’t stop sneaking bites while it was cooling. Let’s just say dinner was a little light that night!
Let’s Get Cooking!
Alright, enough chit-chat. Here’s how to whip up this crowd-pleaser:
- Preheat that oven and grab a baking dish. Nothing fancy needed here.
- Shred your chicken. If you’re using rotisserie, this takes like two minutes tops.
- Mix up the creamy dreamy sauce. This is where the magic happens – pesto, mayo, and Parmesan. Try not to eat it all with a spoon (again, speaking from experience).
- Throw it all together in the dish. It’s not gonna win any beauty contests at this point, but trust the process.
- Top with tomatoes and mozzarella. This is where it starts looking Instagram-worthy.
- Bake until it’s all golden and bubbly. The waiting is the hardest part!
Make It Your Own
Feel free to play around with this recipe. Some of my favorite tweaks:
- Throw in some spinach for a pop of green (and to feel virtuous).
- Switch up the cheese – I’ve used fontina and it was divine.
- Add a sprinkle of red pepper flakes if you like a little heat.
What to Serve With It
Honestly? This baby stands alone pretty well. But if you’re feeling fancy:
- A simple green salad
- Some crusty bread to mop up the cheesy goodness
- A glass of white wine (cook’s treat!)
Alright, ready to become the dinner hero? Here’s the full recipe:
Caprese Chicken Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 pound cooked chicken breasts shredded (rotisserie chicken works great!)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
- 8 ounces fresh mozzarella chopped (or use mozzarella balls)
- 1/4 cup basil pesto
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 3/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese divided
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Grease a 2-quart baking dish.
- In a large bowl, mix shredded chicken, pesto, mayonnaise, half the Parmesan, salt, and pepper.
- Spread the chicken mixture in the baking dish.
- Top with cherry tomatoes and mozzarella. Sprinkle remaining Parmesan on top.
- Bake for 20-22 minutes until golden and bubbly.
- Let cool for a few minutes before serving (if you can resist!).
Notes
• This reheats beautifully in the oven or microwave.
There you have it, folks! Your new favorite weeknight dinner. It’s so good, you might just “forget” to invite anyone else to eat it with you. Enjoy!
