Baked Chicken Parmesan
This baked chicken parmesan is a quick and healthier alternative to the traditional fried version, delivering crispy, cheesy goodness in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 4 pieces boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 6-8 oz each)
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- ½ cup regular breadcrumbs Gives better texture than panko alone
- ¾ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, divided
- 2 tbsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tbsp milk
- 3 tbsp olive oil
For the Topping
- 1½ cups marinara sauce High-quality jarred or homemade
- 1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp fresh basil, chopped For garnish
- red pepper flakes Optional, for heat
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and drizzle with 2 tablespoons of olive oil.
- If your chicken breasts are thick, place them between plastic wrap and pound to an even thickness of about ½-inch.
- In a shallow dish, whisk together the eggs and milk. In another dish, mix the panko breadcrumbs, regular breadcrumbs, ½ cup of the Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
- Dip each chicken breast into the egg mixture, then coat with the breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to adhere.
- Let the breaded chicken rest for 5 minutes before baking.
Baking
- Place the breaded chicken on the oiled baking sheet and drizzle the remaining tablespoon of olive oil over each piece.
- Bake for 15 minutes, until nearly cooked through and beginning to turn golden.
- Remove from oven, spoon about ⅓ cup of marinara sauce over each chicken breast, and sprinkle with mozzarella and remaining Parmesan cheese.
- Return to oven and bake for an additional 5-7 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Allow the dish to rest for 3-5 minutes before serving.
Notes
For a spicier version, consider adding crushed red pepper flakes to the breadcrumb mixture. Let chicken rest after baking to ensure juiciness.