Name: Baked Chicken Parmesan Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients: 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts; 1 large egg; 1 cup Panko breadcrumbs; 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese; 1 teaspoon garlic powder; 1 teaspoon onion powder; 1/2 cup marinara sauce; 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

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Introduction

Baked Chicken Parmesan is a delicious and simple weeknight dish that combines crispy, breaded chicken with rich marinara sauce and melted mozzarella cheese. It’s a lighter twist on the classic fried version, perfect for a comforting meal any night of the week.

The image shows a white plate with a piece of breaded chicken cutlet covered in a layer of bright red tomato sauce, topped with a thick layer of melted white mozzarella cheese sprinkled with green parsley leaves. Next to the chicken is a portion of spaghetti with more red tomato sauce on top, and a fork resting on the edge of the plate. The dish sits on a white marbled surface with a blurred white cup and another plate with the same dish in the background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 large egg
1 cup Panko breadcrumbs
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 cup marinara sauce
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit and spray a baking sheet with non-stick spray.
Step 2: Pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness between two sheets of plastic wrap.
Step 3: Crack the egg into a shallow bowl, add 1 tablespoon of water, and whisk until combined.
Step 4: In a separate bowl, mix the Panko breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, and onion powder.
Step 5: Dip each chicken breast first into the egg mixture, then press into the breadcrumb mixture to coat evenly.
Step 6: Arrange the coated chicken breasts evenly on the prepared baking sheet.
Step 7: Bake for 20 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit.
Step 8: Spoon 2 tablespoons of marinara sauce over each chicken breast, then sprinkle evenly with mozzarella cheese.
Step 9: Return to the oven and bake for another 5 minutes, until the chicken reaches 165 degrees and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Step 10: Serve immediately while hot and enjoy!

Tips & Variations

For extra crispiness, lightly spray the breaded chicken with cooking spray before the first bake.
Use fresh mozzarella instead of shredded for a creamier texture.
Add a sprinkle of Italian seasoning or red pepper flakes to the breadcrumb mixture for more flavor.
Serve over pasta or with a side salad for a complete meal.

Storage

Store leftover chicken Parmesan in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 10-15 minutes to keep the coating crispy, or microwave covered for a quicker option, though the crust may soften.

How to Serve

The image shows a white plate with a piece of chicken parmesan and a side of spaghetti. The chicken parmesan has three visible layers: a golden brown crispy breaded chicken base, a middle layer of bright red tomato sauce, and a top layer of melted white mozzarella cheese with light golden spots. Small green parsley leaves are sprinkled on top for garnish. Next to it, there is a serving of yellow spaghetti noodles mixed with some tomato sauce. A silver fork rests beside the spaghetti on the plate. The plate is set on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen chicken breasts for this recipe?

It’s best to use thawed chicken breasts so they cook evenly, but if using frozen, thaw completely before pounding and breading.

What can I substitute for Panko breadcrumbs?

You can use regular breadcrumbs or crushed crackers, but Panko provides a lighter, crispier coating that’s ideal for this dish.