Description
This Baked Chicken Parmesan is a comforting and easy-to-prepare Italian-inspired dish featuring tender, skinless chicken breasts coated in a crispy, golden breadcrumb and Parmesan crust. Topped with rich marinara sauce and melted mozzarella cheese, it offers a deliciously cheesy, savory meal perfect for busy weeknights or family dinners. Baking instead of frying ensures a healthier twist while maintaining juicy, flavorful chicken, and versatile serving options make it a crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Coating
- 4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 1 cup Italian-seasoned breadcrumbs (or plain with added herbs)
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon Italian herbs (dried or fresh)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Sauces and Toppings
- 1 1/2 cups marinara sauce (homemade or high-quality store-bought)
- 1 1/2 cups shredded fresh mozzarella cheese
Other Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (for drizzling)
- 1–2 cloves garlic, minced (optional, for extra flavor)
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness of about 1/2 inch to ensure they cook evenly. Lightly season both sides with salt, pepper, and Italian herbs to build a flavorful base.
- Coat the Chicken: Dip each chicken breast into the beaten eggs, ensuring it’s fully coated. Then press into a chilled mixture of breadcrumbs and grated Parmesan cheese until evenly covered with a crispy crust.
- Arrange and Add Sauce: Place the coated chicken breasts into a greased baking dish. Spoon a generous but even layer of marinara sauce over each piece, covering the chicken without soaking the crust.
- Top with Cheese: Sprinkle shredded fresh mozzarella cheese evenly over the sauced chicken breasts to achieve a gooey, melted topping once baked.
- Bake Until Golden: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Bake the chicken for 20-25 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden and the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
Notes
- Pound chicken breasts to uniform 1/2 inch thickness for even and quick cooking.
- Keep breadcrumb and Parmesan mixture chilled before coating for an extra crispy crust.
- Use freshly shredded mozzarella cheese for better melting and less moisture.
- Allow chicken to rest for 5 minutes after baking to retain juices and facilitate easier slicing.
- For a bubbly, golden cheese finish, broil the dish for 1-2 minutes after baking if desired.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with toppings
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 45g
- Cholesterol: 140mg