Chicken Parmesan Casserole

Instructions

1. Step 1

   Gather the ingredients.

2. Step 2

   Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Cut in 1/2-inch strips, then into cubes.

3. Step 3

   Set up an assembly line for breading the chicken : Place the four in one shallow bowl, the beaten eggs in another bowl, and the breadcrumbs in a third bowl. Bread the chicken pieces by dredging them in the flour, then the eggs, then the breadcrumbs. Set each on a paper towel-lined plate.

4. Step 4

   Add 1/4-inch of oil to a deep, heavy-duty frying pan or Dutch oven and heat oil to 375 F. Fry the chicken in batches for 3 to 4 minutes on each side, turning once. Transfer cooked chicken pieces to a plate linked with paper towels to drain. Once cool, cut any larger nuggets into bite-size pieces. Make the pasta and sauce

5. Step 5

   Meanwhile, bring a pot of water to a boil and add the salt . Cook the pasta for the minimum time on the package, until not quite al dente . Drain well.

6. Step 6

   In a medium mixing bowl, combine the marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder.

7. Step 7

   Toss the pasta with the sauce. Set aside until the chicken is finished cooking. Preheat the oven to 375 F. Assemble the casserole

8. Step 8

   Build the casserole in a 9-inch casserole dish : Begin with a layer of the pasta and sauce mixture, add a layer of fried chicken, then 1 cup of mozzarella. Repeat these three layers one more time.

9. Step 9

   Cover the casserole with foil and bake for 25 minutes.

10. Step 10

    Remove from the oven and top with the Parmesan cheese, and then bake uncovered for an additional 10 minutes, until cheese is melted and casserole is bubbly. Serve and enjoy.