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Baked Chicken Parmesan Recipe

4.5 from 118 reviews

This Baked Chicken Parmesan recipe offers a healthier twist on the classic Italian-American favorite by baking tender, breaded chicken breasts topped with marinara sauce and melted mozzarella cheese to perfection. It’s an easy, flavorful dish perfect for family dinners and sure to satisfy any craving for comfort food.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Breading Mixture

  • 1 cup Italian bread crumbs
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Coating

  • 2 large eggs

Other Ingredients

  • 1 cup marinara sauce (preferably homemade or your favorite jarred variety)
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Fresh basil or parsley for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for baking the chicken. This heat ensures the chicken cooks evenly, achieving a crispy outside and juicy inside.
  2. Prep the Chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels to help the breading stick better. Season both sides with salt and black pepper to enhance flavor.
  3. Make the Breading Station: In a shallow bowl, combine Italian bread crumbs and Parmesan cheese. In a separate bowl, beat the eggs thoroughly to create the egg wash.
  4. Bread the Chicken: Dip each chicken breast into the egg wash, ensuring it’s fully coated, then dredge it in the breadcrumb-Parmesan mixture. Press gently to make sure the breading adheres well to the chicken.
  5. Sear the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the breaded chicken breasts and cook for about 2-3 minutes on each side until golden brown. This step locks in moisture and adds a crispy texture.
  6. Add Sauce and Cheese: Spoon marinara sauce evenly over each chicken breast, then sprinkle shredded mozzarella on top, covering the sauce evenly.
  7. Bake: Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature should reach 165°F or 74°C) and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
  8. Garnish and Serve: Remove from oven and let rest for a couple of minutes. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley if desired. Serve warm, ideally paired with pasta or a fresh salad.

Notes

  • You can substitute Italian bread crumbs with gluten-free bread crumbs to make the dish gluten-free.
  • Using fresh mozzarella instead of shredded gives a creamier texture but takes longer to melt.
  • If you don’t have an oven-safe skillet, sear the chicken on the stovetop in a regular pan, then transfer the chicken to a baking dish before adding sauce and cheese.
  • Make sure not to overbake to prevent drying out the chicken.
  • Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven for best results.

Keywords: chicken parmesan, baked chicken parmesan, Italian chicken recipe, easy chicken dinner, healthy chicken parmesan