Description
A golden, crunchy oven-baked chicken coated in savory Parmesan cheese and Italian herbs. This easy Italian-inspired dish delivers all the crispiness of fried chicken without the extra oil. Perfect for weeknight dinners, family meals, or even meal prep.
Ingredients
🛒 Ingredients (Serves 4):
For the Chicken:
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or 6–8 chicken thighs)
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 cup Italian-style breadcrumbs or panko
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
½ teaspoon paprika
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
2 large eggs
2 tablespoons milk
2 tablespoons olive oil or melted butter (optional for extra crispiness)
Cooking spray
Optional (For Classic Chicken Parmesan Style):
1 cup marinara sauce
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Fresh basil or parsley for garnish
Instructions
📝 Instructions:
Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or place a wire rack on top for extra crispiness. Lightly spray with cooking spray.
Pat chicken dry with paper towels. If breasts are thick, pound slightly to even thickness.
In one shallow bowl, whisk together eggs and milk.
In another bowl, combine Parmesan, breadcrumbs (or panko), garlic powder, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper.
Dip each piece of chicken into the egg mixture, then press firmly into the Parmesan breadcrumb mixture, coating both sides well.
Place chicken on the prepared baking sheet. Lightly drizzle with olive oil or spray tops with cooking spray for a crisp finish.
Bake for 22–28 minutes (depending on thickness), until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and coating is golden brown and crispy.
For extra browning, broil for 2–3 minutes at the end.
Spoon marinara sauce over each piece and sprinkle with mozzarella.
Return to oven for 5 minutes, until cheese is melted and bubbly.
Garnish with fresh basil or parsley before serving.
Notes
✔ For extra crispy parmesan chicken, use panko instead of regular breadcrumbs.
✔ For baked chicken parmesan without mayo, this egg wash method keeps it light and crisp.
✔ For a low-carb version, skip breadcrumbs and coat with Parmesan and almond flour only.
✔ Thighs stay juicier; breasts are leaner and crisp beautifully when evenly pounded.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Oven-Baked
- Cuisine: Italian-American