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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.
I made an even easier version. I used Aldi parmesan encrusted chicken tenders. I used 4 as they were equal to two breasts. (large to be tenders.) I chose a no boil penne recipe and adapted it. I covered it with a lot of mozzarella and baked 375 for 55 minutes covered eith foil. Made a huge 13 X9 pan.
So easy! Crispy and delicious. My whole family loves it and raves about it. 🙂
So happy to hear that!
This recipe is simple and absolutely delicious. The chicken was very tender. I prepared it in advance and just before serving I added the sauce and mozzarella stage
So glad you loved it!
It was super easy and so delicious! Thank you! Definitely sharing this recipe with everyone!
Thank you, so happy to hear that!
I’m making this tomorrow night. One question, do I bake the chicken 1st for 5 or 15 min at 400?
Hi, the recipe says 15 minutes at 400 degrees. Keep in mind the thickness of the chicken will determine the cooking time but that is how long it took mine to be done. It’s always best to use a meat thermometer to make sure the meat is cooked to the correct temperature.
Fantastic and no deep frying. Use great ingredients and a quality red sauce.
I’ve made this at least 5 times in the last year.
It’s a hit for the entire family!
Made this tonight, it was delicious 😋
Super easy and very tasty, will make again. Thanks
So glad you loved it!
Love this recipe! Have made it so many times! I am wondering though can I save the leftover bread crumb mixture for next time? Or no because of the raw chicken placed in it?
Hi Kayla – once it has contact with the raw chicken I don’t think it is safe to save it unfortunately.
I prepared this dish tonight, and it turned out to be incredibly tasty! I can’t even explain in words how good it was! I decided to enhance the flavor by incorporating a small portion of cheddar cheese.
Super good. Family favorite. Easy to make. And quick.
So happy to hear that!
Made this and it’s amazing! And EASY!
So glad to hear that!
I made this for my granddaughter who was not sure if she would like it. I just gave her a small piece and she asked for more. It is a great chicken parm recipe. So juicy and flavorful. I had made my own sauce to go on top. It’s a keeper.
So happy you love it!
Do NOT bake the chicken on foil! You lose the breading because it sticks! Try parchment paper or silicone baking mat. Great recipe overall.
Use NON-STICK foil and it WON’T stick!
Quick easy and delicious, better than some restaurants that fry their chicken!
So happy you love it!
This was Easy to make! And was absolutely delicious!
This recipe was super wonderful, thank you!!
I was wondering after it is made if I can freeze after?
Hi, I haven’t tried it so I can’t be sure! I do worry that freezing it might change the texture of the cheese and also you might lose the crispiness of the breading.
I love parmesan chicken and whenever I find opportunity I make this Baked chicken with cheese all the time. After drizzling it with herbs, the dish turns out to be an extraordinary treat for me every week. I am planning to make it again today.
Great simple recipe! Chicken parm is my favorite! I would try making it with homemade sourdough breadcrumbs.
That sounds delicious! Glad you liked it!
After the crispy version of Parmesan chicken, I came across this recipe for the creamy and gooey one! Drizzled with herbs, my experience has been wonderful, I am so grateful to the dish!