This Healthier Chicken Parm is everything you loved as a kid. Crispy nuggets, saucy marinara, and melty mozzarella all wrapped into one easy weeknight casserole. It’s high-protein, veggie-boosted, and skips all the messy breading steps of classic chicken parm so you can get comfort food on the table fast.
A childhood classic, elevated?
I feel like this Healthy Chicken Parmesan Recipe would be a favorite of mine if I were a kid right now. Not only does it feature chicken nuggets (yup, you read that right), but it’s cheesy, saucy, and everything pairs together so well.
We remove the laborious process with traditional chicken parm of drugging chicken cutlets in egg wash, panko bread crumbs, seasonings and deep frying (notice how we’re not compromising flavor here). Instead, we’re keeping the assembly clean and easy to keep you sane on busy weeknights.
I had a casserole like this when I photographed it for a client last year. My whole family absolutely loved it and even claimed it to be the “best baked chicken parmesan”. I knew I could put my own spin on the recipe i.e. cottage cheese and sneaking in some veggies for a healthier version, duh!).
And if you’re into this pasta bake, you’ll also love my Chicken Sausage Zucchini Pasta, this Healthy Baked Ziti or even this Cheeseburger Pasta Skillet.
Recipe Ingredients
- Noodles – I used mastaccioli. Penne or rotini work too.
- Chicken Nuggets – Get em frozen! We’re making this simple!
- Marinara sauce – We love Mezzetta. We’ll also add tomato sauce.
- Cheese – Cottage cheese, ricotta, parmesan and basil.
- Spinach – Because why not sneak in some veggies!
- Italian Seasoning – This will go into the delicious sauce. Also feel free to add fresh herbs like fresh basil leaves as garnish.
See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
Substitutions and Variations
- Bulk up the veggies! Try adding in sauteed onions, chopped pieces of broccoli, chopped carrots, or frozen riced cauliflower (as seen in my Buffalo Chicken Pasta Casserole).
- Protein Swaps: Swap nuggets for chicken tenders (just chop them up), use grilled chicken breast for a less processed option or try ground chicken or turkey browned with Italian seasoning.
- Sauce Variations: Get creative! Try a vodka sauce, dollop a few spoonfuls of pesto to casserole or mix marinara with a splash of balsamic glaze for depth.
How to Make This Recipe
2. Start by making the noodles according to box instructions. Cook them to al dente as they will have a few more minutes in the oven later. Strain and set aside.
3. While the noodles are cooking, preheat the air fryer (if needed). Air fry the nuggets for 10-12 minutes until the outside is golden and crispy.
4. In a large mixing bowl, pour ⅔ of the marinara sauce, tomato sauce, cottage cheese, ricotta cheese, fresh spinach, grated parmesan cheese and Italian herbs.
5. Mix until combined, then add the cooked noodles on top. Stir together.
6. Spray a 9×13 with cooking spray and pour in noodle mixture. Layer the chicken nuggets evenly on top.
7. Pour the remaining marinara sauce on top and sprinkle mozzarella cheese throughout.
8. Cover with tinfoil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the tinfoil, move the casserole to the top of the oven and broil for the remaining 2-5 minutes**dependent on oven strength. Remove when they cheesy goodness looks to have a crispy crust with a nice golden brown color. Serve hot and enjoy your delicious meal!
PRO TIPS
- Need an easy dish for a pasta party or for the kiddos after work? Make the noodle mixture before hand and store in the refrigerator. Then prior to baking, toss the nuggets in the airfryer and you have a quick prep, minimal effort dinner on tap!
- Start on the lighter side with the sauce, especially if you expect leftovers. You don’t want the crispy chicken and melted cheese to get soggy, and you can always add extra sauce when you go to reheat.
Recipe FAQs
Yes! It’s essential for that crispy texture, otherwise your healthier chicken parmesan will be soggy (and no one wants a soggy chicken parm).
In a classic chicken parmigiana, mozzarella and Parmesan are not substitutes; they play entirely different, essential roles based on their texture and flavor. Mozzarella gives that gooey texture used as the primary topping because of its high moisture content and superior melting properties. The parmesan acts as a “seasoning” rather than a melting cheese. It provides a sharp, salty, and nutty punch.
Let the easy chicken parmesan casserole cool completely, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days or freeze for 2–3 months. Reheat individual portions in the microwave or the whole pan in the oven at 350°F until warmed through.
Serving suggestions
Nothing better than serving this casserole with the Pizza Night Side Salad (La Scala Inspired) and some crispy garlic bread or Pesto focaccia.
More Recipes You’ll Love
Love this recipe? Please leave a 5-star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 rating and comment in the recipe card below. Thanks for visiting!
Healthier Chicken Parm (High Protein)
Equipment
- Sauce pot
- strainer
- Air fryer
- Mixing Bowl
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Rubber Spatula
- 9×13 pan
Ingredients
- 10 oz mastaccioli noodles, penne or rotini work too
- 20 Baked chicken nuggets
- 24.5 oz (1 jar) Marinara sauce, divided, We love Mezzetta
- 4 oz Tomato sauce
- ¾ cup Cottage cheese, small curd
- ¾ cup whole Ricotta cheese
- 1 cup Fresh spinach, diced
- ¼ cup parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
- Fresh basil, for topping
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Then start by making the noodles according to box instructions. Cook them to al dente as they will have a few more minutes in the oven later. Strain and set aside.
- While the noodles are cooking, preheat the air fryer (if needed). Air fry the nuggets for 10-12 minutes until the outside is golden and crispy.
- In a large mixing bowl, pour ⅔ of the marinara sauce, tomato sauce, cottage cheese, ricotta cheese, fresh spinach, grated parmesan cheese and Italian herbs. Mix until combined, then add the cooked noodles on top. Stir together.
- Spray a 9×13 with cooking spray and pour in noodle mixture. Layer the chicken nuggets evenly on top.
- Pour the remaining marinara sauce on top and sprinkle mozzarella cheese throughout.
- Cover with tinfoil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the tinfoil, move the casserole to the top of the oven and broil for the remaining 2-5 minutes**dependent on oven strength. Remove when they cheesy goodness looks to have a crispy crust with a nice golden brown color. Serve hot and enjoy your delicious meal!
wow – 12/10 stars for this recipe! so flavorful and the whole family loved.