The $5 Frozen Chicken Dinner That’s (Almost) Better Than Homemade

There are hundreds of excellent restaurants in New York City, but one of the most celebrated is Rao’s. I haven’t been able to get a table just yet (IYKYK), but lucky for me (and anyone else who doesn’t have an in at the famed restaurant), you can find a handful of Rao’s Homemade frozen dinners at your local grocery store. And yes, they’re made with the brand’s signature marinara sauce (the jarred version itself is legendary; it won The Kitchn’s recent taste test, and is even a favorite shortcut of chefs). 

When I spotted Rao’s Chicken Parmesan in the freezer aisle a few days ago, I rushed to try it. It is just $5, and includes both a chicken cutlet and pasta. The verdict? Let’s just say that I bought two more to eat throughout the rest of the week. 

Rao’s Chicken Parmesan contains two breaded chicken cutlets topped with Rao’s marinara and mozzarella cheese. It’s nestled in a generous pile of al-dente spaghetti that’s also tossed with the brand’s signature marinara.  

The 8.5-ounce box includes directions for cooking in the microwave and oven. I prefer to reheat mine in the oven for 40 minutes to get that nice bubbly cheese I associate with a classic baked chicken Parmesan.

I picked up the Rao’s Homemade Chicken Parmesan during my lunch break, and as soon as I stepped into my apartment I preheated the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (like the directions suggest) and baked it for 40 minutes with the film still on, as instructed. When it finished heating, I let it sit for another five minutes before removing the film. I was really hungry at this point, and it took a lot of restraint not to go right in because it looked so good!

At first glance, I was thoroughly impressed. The melted cheese was plenty gooey and the sides were lightly browned (just how I like it!). I was also surprised that it looked this good after coming from the freezer.

It wasn’t until I went straight in with a fork and took my first bite that I knew that this frozen chicken dinner would be my new favorite. The breading on the chicken isn’t crispy, but I wasn’t expecting it to be because it comes pre-sauced. Still, it was excellent — the meat was juicy, and the bread was well-seasoned. 

The spaghetti is surprisingly tender — not overcooked at all — and the marinara sauce is decadent and very flavorful (herby and garlicky!). The mozzarella adds a creamy, satisfying topping. Essentially, this is one of the best frozen dinners I think you can get right now. 

Have you tried Rao’s Homemade Chicken Parmesan? Tell us about it in the comments below.