Description
Oven Baked Chicken Parmesan with crispy breaded chicken, gooey melted cheese, and zesty marinara sauce. A crowd-pleasing comfort food favorite!
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 2 pounds/900g)
- 1 cup (125g) all-purpose flour
- 3 large eggs
- 2 cups (250g) panko breadcrumbs (provides superior crispiness)
- ½ cup (50g) grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for serving
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups (480ml) marinara sauce (high-quality store-bought or homemade)
- 8 oz (225g) fresh mozzarella, sliced, or 2 cups shredded mozzarella
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Fresh basil leaves for garnish
Instructions
- Step 1: Prepare the Chicken Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil. Place the chicken breasts between plastic wrap and pound to a uniform ½-inch thickness. Pat them dry with paper towels (this helps the breading stick better) and season both sides with a pinch of salt and pepper.
- Step 2: Set Up Your Breading Station Arrange three shallow dishes: In the first, place the flour. In the second, beat the eggs with a tablespoon of water. In the third, combine the panko breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Drizzle the olive oil over the breadcrumb mixture and toss until evenly coated – this helps achieve a golden crust!
- Step 3: Bread the Chicken Working with one piece at a time, dredge the chicken in flour, shaking off excess. Dip into the beaten eggs, allowing extra to drip off. Finally, press firmly into the breadcrumb mixture, ensuring an even coating on both sides. Place on a wire rack and repeat with remaining pieces. Let them rest for 5 minutes to help the coating set.
- Step 4: First Bake Transfer the breaded chicken to your prepared baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes until the coating begins to turn golden brown and the chicken is nearly cooked through.
- Step 5: Add Sauce and Cheese Remove the baking sheet from the oven. Spoon about ¼ cup of marinara sauce over each chicken breast, leaving the edges exposed to stay crispy. Layer the mozzarella over the sauce. Return to the oven for another 7-10 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Step 6: Rest and Serve Let the Oven Baked Chicken Parmesan rest for 5 minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the chicken. Garnish with fresh basil leaves and additional grated Parmesan if desired. Serve over pasta or with a fresh side salad for a complete meal.
Notes
Fresh ingredients will always yield the best flavor results.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast
- Calories: 390 calories per serving
- Sugar: 6 grams
- Sodium: 980 mg
- Fat: 18 grams
- Saturated Fat: 8 grams
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 grams
- Trans Fat: 0 grams
- Carbohydrates: 21 grams
- Fiber: 2 grams
- Protein: 36 grams
- Cholesterol: 125 mg