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This delicious Oven Baked Chicken Parmesan recipe is easy and doesn’t require any frying. Because this chicken Parmesan is baked, it is healthy, quick and easy! Make this crispy baked Parmesan crusted chicken for dinner tonight in about thirty minutes!
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Baked instead of fried!
I always think of Chicken Parmesan as being a complicated and labor intensive recipe – but I recently discovered that Oven Baked Chicken Parmesan is not only easy, but quick enough for a weeknight dinner!
This is a great chicken breast recipe – cutting the chicken breasts in half lengthwise and then pounding them slightly to make them even thickness will help them cook quickly and really helps you achieve more of a restaurant quality taste.
How to cut chicken breasts in half
I have never cut my chicken breasts like this before, but it is very simple and makes a huge difference the cooking time and taste. Simply cut through the middle as if you are going to butterfly the chicken breast (cutting it open like a book), but cut all the way through to make two equal sized pieces.
After cutting the chicken breasts in half, place them in a gallon sized zip top bag in an even layer, seal it, then pound them to an even thickness. You can use a meat pounder or a rolling pin to do this. You can also place the chicken breasts between two layers of cling wrap instead of a zip top bag if you prefer.
How to make Oven Baked Chicken Parmesan
- Line a baking sheet with foil, brush foil with olive oil. Adjust oven rack so that is in the second from the top space. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
- Cut the chicken breasts in half and pound to even thickness.
- Pat the chicken breasts dry with a paper towel, then season with salt and pepper.
- In one shallow dish, mix together panko bread crumbs, grated parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, garlic powder, oregano, and black pepper.
- In another shallow dish, whisk one egg.
- Dip one chicken breast into the egg, then into the bread crumb mixture. Ensure chicken breast is fully coated in the crumb mixture, and gently press with your hand do help the crumbs stick to the chicken. Place chicken breast on prepared baking sheet, repeat with remaining pieces of chicken.
- Place baking sheet in oven on the second from the top rack. Bake for 15 minutes, or until cooked through. Flip chicken, pour 1/4 cup of marinara sauce over each piece of chicken, then top with cheese. Place back in the oven. Turn on the broiler. Broil for 2-4 minutes, until cheese is melted and bubbly and edges of chicken are browning.
What temperature do you bake Chicken Parmesan at?
Bake this Chicken Parmesan at 400 degrees to ensure it is nice and crispy, then finish it under the broiler.
How long do you bake Chicken Parmesan in the oven?
Because the chicken breasts have been cut in half and pounded to an equal thickness, they cook very quickly – it only takes about 15 minutes for them to be done.
Do you need to cover chicken Parmesan in the oven?
No, I did not cover the chicken while baking it. Leaving the chicken uncovered allows with to get more crispy and prevents it from getting soggy.
What is the best Parmesan Cheese to use for Baked Chicken Parmesan?
As always, I recommend buying a wedge of Parmesan cheese and grating it yourself rather then buying pre-grated Parmesan cheese. Often containers of pre-grated Parmesan have wood pulp in them, not to mention they just don’t taste as good. You are better off buying a wedge of real Parmigiano-Reggiano and using a microplane to grate it.
Is baked chicken parmesan healthy?
Baked Chicken Parmesan is healthy because it is baked and not fried, which means it uses less oil. Using chicken breasts means it has lots of protein but less fat. I use my homemade marinara sauce, which has no added sugar. And you can control the type of cheese you use, as well as how much. Although I prefer to use whole milk mozzarella, you can also use part skim if you prefer (it just doesn’t melt quite as nicely, and I think the difference in calories is minimal). One serving of this Baked Chicken Parmesan has 436 calories vs Olive Garden Chicken Parmesan which has 1450 calories according to their website.
Ready to make Baked Chicken Parmesan? This recipe calls for marinara sauce – I always make my Easy 20 Minute Marinara for this, because it is so fast. I start it right before I start the chicken, then when it is time to put the marinara on the chicken, the sauce is done.
More Easy Italian Recipes
Creamy Sausage and Tortellini Soup
Sausage Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms
Oven Baked Chicken Parmesan
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 chicken breasts About 1 pound of chicken total
- 1 egg
- 1 cup panko bread crumbs
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese fresh grated
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella
- 2 tablespoon minced parsley optional, for garnish
Instructions
- Line a baking sheet with foil, brush foil with olive oil. Adjust oven rack so that is in the second from the top space. Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- Cut the chicken breasts in half and pound to even thickness: Cut through the middle of the chicken breast as if you are going to butterfly it (cutting it open like a book), but cut all the way through to make two equal sized pieces.
- After cutting the chicken breasts in half, place them in a gallon sized zip top bag in an even layer, seal it, then pound them to an even thickness using a meat pounder or a rolling pin. You can also place the chicken breasts between two layers of cling wrap instead of a zip top bag if you prefer.
- Pat the chicken breasts dry with a paper towel, then season with salt and pepper.
- In one shallow dish, mix together panko bread crumbs, grated parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, garlic powder, oregano, and black pepper.
- In another shallow dish, whisk one egg.
- Dip one chicken breast into the egg, then into the bread crumb mixture. Ensure chicken breast is fully coated in the crumb mixture, and gently press with your hand do help the crumbs stick to the chicken. Place chicken breast on prepared baking sheet, repeat with remaining pieces of chicken.
- Place baking sheet in oven on the second from the top rack. Bake for 15 minutes, or until cooked through.
- Flip chicken, pour 1/4 cup of marinara sauce over each piece of chicken, then top with cheese. Place back in the oven. Turn on the broiler. Broil for 2-4 minutes, until cheese is melted and bubbly and edges of chicken are browning.
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
My family went crazy over this recipe! It was so delicious and very flavorful. Will definitely be a new staple in our house! Thank you!
I am so happy to hear that, thank you Diane!
I just made this on Sunday for my family and it’s already back on the menu (by popular request) for this Sunday AGAIN! I’m always blown away by the way Meghans simple recipes & ingredients make the most flavorful dishes that keep me and my family wanting more! Thanks again Meghan…please don’t ever stop!!
YAY! I am so glad to hear that! Thank you Jessica! Always trying to make more recipes that people love!
What can you substitute to make it Keto friendly?
Hi Pat, I haven’t tried it myself so I can’t be sure, but I have heard of people using almond flour for the breading. Let me know if you give it a try!
Went soggy didn’t brown at all despite me following the recipe ipe exactly. Disappointed!!
Absolutely loved this recipe!! So easy, my husband actinide it for us. He doesn’t usually cook or bake. So this was a big accomplishment and it was super good. Had it with spaghetti and green beans on the side.
So happy to hear that Mallory!
This is the perfect weeknight meal that tastes like you spent all day Sunday making it but in reality about 20 minutes! I didn’t even measure and it turned out delicious. I used Rao’s Marinara Sauce. The foil on the pan made for easy clean up. I will keep this and make it often.
So glad you loved it Lynn!
OMG so good! I paired it with some Sangiovese wine and zoodles flavored with garlic, butter, and Parmesan. It was the best meal I’ve had in months. I will most definitely make it again!
I’m so happy to hear that Mariah!
Was really good made it for valentine’s day dinner for my wife
So glad to hear that Mike!
I never comment on anything, but this was hands down one of the yummiest meals ever! Thank you for such a great recipe!
Hi Jessica – thanks so much for your comment! I’m so happy you loved it!
So easy! And omg!! Absolutely amazing flavor.. served with angel hair pasta in butter and garlic and asparagus. Awesome awesome recipe!!
Yay! So happy you loved it Angelina!
Really easy to make and really good. Thanks for this great recipe
So glad you loved it Linda!
The Baked Chicken Parmesan was delicious! And so easy. To the jarred spaghetti sauce I added fresh chopped garlic, fresh chopped onion, crushed oregano, bay leaf, and slowly cooked in olive oil over a medium low heat then, added it to the pasta sauce and simmered it while I cooked the chicken.
Gave it more depth of flavor.
I made this for 40 people so it took me a while.
I’m so glad you loved it! Wow, 40 people! That incredible, what a feat!
Oh my, SO GOOD!
Thank you so much for sharing, definitely will make many more times, YUM!
Yay! I’m so glad to hear that!
Fantastic recipe! Best chicken parm I’ve ever had and I’ve had a lot of homemade authentic Italian chicken parm. Thanks so much for sharing this with us!
Yay! So happy to hear that Maggie!
Yummy. My husband, myself, and even my two year old loved it! Really quick and easy too.
So happy to hear that Andrea!
Very nice easy recipe. Used homemade sauce and what a great flavor!
So happy to hear that Carolyn!
We just got done and I can’t believe this but I have three of the worlds pickiest eaters on earth all agreeing it’s delicious 😲😲😲👍🏻It’s a winner dinner!!!
Hi LaDonna – Yay! So happy to hear that!
I love this recipe it’s quick & easy. I added some sauteed green, red, yellow peppers & onion to my marinara sauce. Made patsa with the left over sauce for my side dish. My family enjoyed it & I will make again I love the health option to the dish baked not fried. Thank you for the recipe.
Hi Anita – I am so happy you loved it! Adding the bell peppers to the sauce sounds delicious!
We made this last night and we all really liked it. My son loves chicken parmesan and now I can easily make it for him. Thanks!
Yay! I’m so happy to hear that! Thanks so much for your comment!
I made it tonight for my Girlfriend and it was AMAZING!!! Thank you for sharing, you made me look like a rockstar in the kitchen. WHATEVER YOU DO… DO NOT LISTEN TO “LOW SODIUM DEB” who gives a low review because she has a dietary resistiction. Thats like blaming the fudge maker for your diabetes. Get a grip Deb, I give YOU 2 stars for your review and 0 stars for accountability!
I’m so happy to hear that you loved it!
Made this today; so delicious! The crispy , cheesey panko and the yummy tender chicken is such a great contrast at texture. Don’t forget to season the chicken before you bread it!
Yay! So happy you loved it!
Delicious and in rotation! Also my go to meal to make for others when the need a meal drop off.
I’m so happy you love it!