Name: Caesar Chicken with Asparagus
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 4 pieces chicken breasts (boneless, skinless); to taste salt and pepper (for seasoning); 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 cup Caesar dressing (store-bought or homemade); 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese (grated); 1 pound asparagus spears (trimmed); 1 teaspoon garlic powder; 1 lemon (cut into wedges for garnish)

This Caesar Chicken with Asparagus is a lovely, quick meal to prepare, and the rich, creamy flavors of the Caesar dressing and Parmesan are complemented by the fresh note of lemon and the crunchy, earthy asparagus. Searing the chicken first gives it a delicious golden crust, sealing the moisture in, then finishing in the oven ensures everything cooks perfectly tender.

The combination of the baked asparagus, garlic powder and even a little more Parmesan makes for a nice depth of flavor and a hearty, full dish. This is a quick and easy, one-pot meal, and a wholesome and elegant plate ideal for weeknight dinners!

Why You’ll Love This Caesar Chicken with Asparagus:

Rich, Savory Flavor: A mix of Caesar dressing, Parmesan and garlic powder come together to form a deliciously creamy coating on the chicken, full of flavor.

Effortless: Just about everything comes together in a single skillet, and this recipe is every bit as good as it is easy. The chicken and asparagus cook side by side, so you’re left with a nearly effortless one-pan meal.

Great for Weeknights or Entertaining: This dish is simple enough for a weeknight, but elegant enough to serve to company.

Light and Bright: The lemon garnish adds a brightness that counterbalances the rich Caesar dressing and plays nicely with the tender asparagus.

Key Ingredients:

Chicken Breasts: Use boneless, skinless chicken breasts for this recipe. A gentle pound to an even thickness means they will cook evenly.

Caesar Dressing: The creaminess and flavor of Caesar dressing. You can buy store-bought for convenience, or use homemade if you prefer. For the best flavor, pick a dressing with pronounced garlic and anchovy notes.

Parmesan Cheese: Parmesan lends a salty, cheesy layer that gets nice and toasty in the oven. Freshly grated Parmesan has a better/meltier texture and more intense flavor than pre-grated.

Asparagus: The crisp, water-rich crunch of asparagus is a nice balance to the creaminess of the chicken. Be sure to trim the woody ends for tenderness.

Olive Oil: A little bit of olive oil is used to brown the chicken and seal in juiceshe and flavor It also contributes to a golden crust on the chicken.

Garlic Powder: A sprinkle of garlic powder on top of the asparagus layers even more flavor that enhances the Caesar dressing but doesn’t compete with it.

Lemon: Fresh wedges are needed, for a bright finish. The tartness counters the rich, creamy dressing nicely, balancing the dish perfectly.

Full list of ingredients with quantities and instructions can be found in the recipe card below

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Instructions:

Prepare for Baking

Preheat Oven: Get your oven to 375°F (190°C) for consistent cooking.

Season Chicken: Pat both sides of the chicken breasts with a liberal amount of salt and pepper.

Sear the Chicken

Sear Chicken: Heat a touch of olive oil in a large oven-proof skillet over medium high heat.

Sear Chicken: Carefully add the chicken breasts in a single layer into the hot skillet. Sear on both sides for approximately 3-4 minutes until golden brown. This step helps to seal in juices and builds in additional flavor depth.

Remove from Heat: After the chicken is seared, remove the skillet from the heat.

Add Caesar Magic

Add Caesar Dressing: Generously drizzle Caesar dressing all over each piece of chicken and cover!

Add Parmesan: Sprinkle with grated Parmesan so you have a chewy, cheesy layer that will brown and crisp in the oven.

Arrange Asparagus

Add Asparagus: Scatter trimmed asparagus spears around the chicken breasts in the skillet.

Season Asparagus: Sprinkle garlic powder on top of the asparagus to give it flavor. For a little more decadence, shred a touch of Parmesan over the asparagus to make a crispy layer of cheese.

Bake

Transfer skillet to Oven: Slide the skillet into the preheated oven and bake for 20 or so minutes. The chicken will be done once it reaches 165°F (74°C) and the asparagus is tender-crisp. If you like your asparagus a little softer, bake it a few minutes longer.

Serve and Enjoy

Garnish with Lemon: Take the skillet out of the oven and let it sit briefly. Drizzle the chicken and asparagus with fresh lemon juice for a bright touch that plays off the creamy Caesar dressing.

Serving Suggestions:

This Caesar Chicken with Asparagus is satisfying on its own, but here’s how to round out the meal:

Rice or Pasta: Serve with rice or pasta to soak up the yummy Caesar sauce.

Mashed Potatoes: The chicken is great with creamy mashed potatoes and adds an extra comfort element to the meal.

Crusty Bread: A crusty baguette or dinner rolls are helpful in scooping up all the extra sauce.

Side Salad: For a lighter note, serve with a simple green salad dressed in vinaigrette for a crisp, fresh counterpoint.

The dish is also very good for serving from the skillet, making it a great family-style meal.

Storage and Reheating Tips:

I love this Caesar Chicken with Asparagus as leftovers, it reheats easily for lunches or dinners.

Storing Leftovers

Any unused portions can be kept in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The flavors will deepen and meld, making it even more delicious tomorrow.

Freezing

If you’re freezing this dish, it’s really best to freeze the chicken separate from the asparagus, as the asparagus might thaw mushy. Transfer to a freezer-safe container and keep 1 to 2 months. Defrost in the fridge before reheating.

Reheating

To reheat, place the chicken and asparagus in a dish that can go in the oven, cover it with foil, and bake the chicken at 350°F (175°C) until hot. You may also microwave individual servings; just be careful not to overcook the asparagus.

Recipe Variations to Try:

This has been such a versatile, easy recipe to customize — Caesar Chicken with Asparagus. Here are a few variations:

Garlic Caesar Chicken

For a bolder garlic flavor, toss in 1 to 2 minced cloves to the skillet when you sear the chicken. This gives the sauce an additional layer of savoriness.

Caesar Chicken Atop Roasted Cherry Tomatoes

Stir a handful of cherry tomatoes into the skillet, along with the asparagus. They’ll provide a pop of color and a sweet and juicy note that offsets the creamy dressing.

Lemon Herb Caesar Chicken

In the Caesar dressing, incorporate fresh or dried herbs such as rosemary, thyme or basil for a fresh, herby kick. Sprinkle more lemon zest on top for a jolt of citrus.

Oven-Baked Caesar Chicken Thighs and Asparagus

Use boneless, skinless chicken thighs instead of the chicken breasts. They’ll cook a bit longer (around 25 to 30 minutes) but will be extra juicy and flavorful.

Asparagus with Spicy Caesar Chicken

You can add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the Caesar dressing auto boost up to the zero level. This version is made for the spice lovers out there!

Conclusion:

This Caesar Chicken with Asparagus is an easy to make but flavorful one-pan meal. The creamy Caesar dressing, golden Parmesan topping and tender-crisp asparagus find a harmonious balance that’s pleasing and refreshing. Pair it with your favorite sides, and you’ve got an easy, bombastic meal that’s great for any day of the week.

So, get out your skillet, preheat that oven and indulge in this flavorful, cheesy, savory dish — you’ll be glad you did!