Crispy Baked Chicken Parmesan
A quick and easy baked chicken Parmesan recipe that delivers a crispy crust and melty cheese, ready in about 30 minutes. Perfect for a fast, comforting weeknight dinner without the mess of frying.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 lb / 450 g), pounded to even thickness
- Salt and black pepper, to season
- ½ cup (60 g) all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 1 cup (100 g) panko breadcrumbs
- ½ cup (50 g) grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- Olive oil spray or a few tablespoons olive oil
- 1 cup (240 ml) marinara sauce
- 8 oz (225 g) fresh mozzarella, sliced or torn
- Fresh basil leaves, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Place each chicken breast between two sheets of plastic wrap and gently pound with a meat mallet or rolling pin until about ½-inch (1.25 cm) thick.
- Season both sides of the chicken breasts with salt and black pepper.
- Set up dredging stations: one bowl with flour, one with beaten eggs, and one with a mixture of panko breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder.
- Dredge each chicken breast first in flour, shaking off excess, then dip into the beaten eggs, allowing excess to drip off, and finally press firmly into the breadcrumb mixture to coat evenly on both sides.
- Place a wire rack on a rimmed baking sheet and lightly spray with olive oil. Lay the breaded chicken breasts on the rack. If no rack is available, place chicken directly on a parchment-lined baking sheet and spray tops with olive oil.
- Bake for 15 minutes until golden and crisp around the edges.
- Remove from oven and spoon about 2 tablespoons (30 ml) marinara sauce over each breast. Top with fresh mozzarella slices.
- Return to oven and bake for an additional 5-7 minutes until cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly browned.
- Remove from oven, sprinkle fresh basil leaves over the top, and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
Pounding the chicken evenly is important for even cooking. Use panko breadcrumbs mixed with Parmesan for a light, crispy crust. Spray olive oil on the crust before baking to achieve golden color without frying. Use a wire rack for crispier bottoms. Broil for 1-2 minutes at the end for extra crunch if desired. For gluten-free, substitute flour and breadcrumbs with gluten-free alternatives. Air fryer cooking option available.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast wit
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 5
- Sodium: 700
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 7
- Carbohydrates: 20
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 40
Keywords: chicken parmesan, baked chicken, crispy chicken, easy dinner, quick recipe, comfort food, weeknight dinner