Craving a weeknight dinner that bursts with flavor and won't keep you chained to the stove? Get ready to spice up your life with this easy Spicy Italian Chicken Casserole recipe—a delicious twist on a classic that's guaranteed to become a new family favorite. Let's get cooking!
Ingredients
For the creamy sesame sauce that'll knock your socks off, you'll need a few key things, so let's dive right in! Grab 2 tablespoons of Chinese sesame paste—it's like tahini's cooler cousin, smoky and intense! If you can't find it, 2.5 tablespoons of tahini will work!
Now, add ½ a tablespoon of peanut butter. Natural's best — for that intense flavor! — but even regular spread is fine. Don't forget ½ a teaspoon of white sugar for that touch of sweetness!
Next, ¼ teaspoon of salt, then ½ a tablespoon of oyster sauce—it'll give it that savory depth you love! Add 1 tablespoon of toasted sesame oil – the brown stuff – and ¼ teaspoon of dark soy sauce! It's all about color here. Similar to some satay sauces, you're going for a balance of flavors in this Italian chicken casserole. Finally, get 3-4 tablespoons of water ready; you might need more or less to get it just right!
Preparation Instructions
Now that we've gathered all our awesome ingredients, let's whip up this dressing—it's easier than convincing your little brother to do the dishes! First, grab your lettuce—baby cos works great, but romaine's cool too! Now, give those leaves a good wash and dry. I usually slice the big ones in half.
For the dressing, mix 2 tbsp of Chinese sesame paste (or tahini!), ½ tbsp of peanut butter, and ½ tsp of sugar in a bowl. Don't forget ¼ tsp of salt and ½ tbsp of oyster sauce! Then, drizzle in 1 tbsp of toasted sesame oil and ¼ tsp of dark soy sauce.
- Taste Test: Adjust seasonings 'til it's perfect!
- Water Trick: Add 3-4 tbsp of water 'til it's pourable.
- Lettuce Prep: Arrange the leaves on your plate – get creative!
- Dressing Drizzle: Don't drown it; a little goes a long way!
Garnish with sesame seeds. It's that simple!
Cooking Process
Typically, once you've got your lettuce all prepped and your dressing mixed, you don't have to do anything else since this isn't exactly a "cooked" dish – how great is that?! But this is a description of how to cook Spicy Italian Chicken Casserole, so let's get started!
First, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Then, grab that casserole dish you prepped earlier.
Now, I want you to carefully assemble everything. Just like with enchiladas, the ingredient list makes all the difference, so don't miss any. Don't just throw stuff in there – we're aiming for delicious, not disastrous!
Finally, I want you to slide the casserole into the oven. We're looking at about 30-40 minutes, or until it's bubbling and golden-brown…mmm! Keep an eye on it – ovens can be tricky! The cheese should be melted and bubbly – irresistible, right?! Your chicken should be cooked through.
Serving Suggestions
I find that my Spicy Italian Chicken Casserole works well with any of the following items:
- A fresh side salad: Something light – even a simple lettuce salad with a drizzle of creamy sesame sauce (about ½ tablespoon will do!) will brighten the spiciness.
- Garlic bread: Because carbs. Need I say more?
- Steamed green beans: Add a touch of green to your plate!
- A glass of chilled white wine: Pairs perfectly with the Italian flavors.
Don't be afraid to experiment, though. That is, after all, the fun part, right? Got any serving ideas of your own? Share them! Enjoy, because you deserved eating such a meal!
Short Recipe Version
Spicy Italian Chicken Casserole
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 6
Ingredients:
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 (24 oz) jar marinara sauce
- 1 (15 oz) ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
- 8 oz mozzarella cheese, shredded
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Season chicken with salt and pepper. Place in a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- In a bowl, combine marinara sauce, ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, basil, garlic powder, and red pepper flakes.
- Pour sauce mixture over chicken.
- Top with mozzarella cheese.
- Bake for 35 minutes, or until bubbly and golden brown.
- Let cool for 5 minutes before serving.
Nutrition Information (Per Serving – Estimated):
- Calories: 420
- Protein: 45g
- Fat: 25g
- Carbohydrates: 10g