Description
This Baked Chicken Parmesan offers a cozy and wholesome Italian classic with crispy breadcrumb-coated chicken breasts topped with melted mozzarella and rich marinara sauce. Baking instead of frying ensures a healthier twist without sacrificing flavor or texture, making it perfect for weeknight meals and family dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Coating
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup Italian-seasoned breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- Olive oil or cooking spray, for drizzling
Cheese and Sauce
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 1 to 1 1/2 cups shredded or sliced mozzarella cheese
Optional Garnishes
- Fresh basil or parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Prep the Chicken: Flatten the chicken breasts to an even thickness using a meat mallet or rolling pin. This ensures they bake uniformly and stay juicy inside.
- Set up Your Breading Station: Prepare three shallow dishes: one with flour, one with beaten eggs, and one with a mixture of Italian-seasoned breadcrumbs and grated Parmesan cheese.
- Coat the Chicken: Dredge each piece of chicken first in the flour, tapping off excess. Then dip into the egg wash. Finally, press both sides into the breadcrumb mixture until fully coated.
- Bake the Chicken: Place the breaded chicken breasts on a greased baking sheet or a wire rack set over a baking tray. Drizzle or spray olive oil on top for crispiness. Bake in a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) for about 20 minutes, until golden and cooked through.
- Add Sauce and Cheese: Remove the chicken from the oven. Spoon marinara sauce generously over each piece, then top with mozzarella cheese. Return to the oven and bake for an additional 5-7 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Rest and Garnish: Let the chicken rest for a few minutes after baking to lock in juices. Sprinkle with freshly chopped basil or parsley before serving, if desired.
Notes
- Pound chicken breasts evenly to ensure even cooking and prevent drying out.
- Use a wire rack for baking to keep the crust crispy by allowing air circulation.
- Fresh breadcrumbs from day-old bread provide maximum crunch.
- Drizzle olive oil or use cooking spray on breadcrumbs before baking to achieve a golden, crispy crust without frying.
- Allow the chicken to rest after baking to retain juices and avoid burns.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-27 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with sauce and cheese
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 45 g
- Cholesterol: 130 mg
Keywords: Baked Chicken Parmesan, Italian Chicken, Easy Chicken Dinner, Healthy Chicken Parmesan, Family Friendly Chicken
