Chicken Parmesan Crispy Baked Recipe Easy Weeknight Dinner Ready Fast
A quick and easy crispy baked chicken parmesan recipe that delivers a crunchy texture without frying, perfect for busy weeknights and picky eaters.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 pounds / 680g), thin-cut or pounded to even thickness
- 1 ½ cups panko breadcrumbs (150g), preferably Japanese-style
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (50g)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 2 large eggs
- 1 ½ cups marinara sauce (360ml)
- 1 cup shredded whole milk mozzarella cheese (100g)
- Olive oil spray
Instructions
- Prep the chicken: Pound thick chicken breasts to about ½ inch thickness if needed. Season both sides with salt and pepper.
- Set up dredging stations: Whisk eggs in a shallow bowl. In another bowl, combine panko, Parmesan, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- Coat the chicken: Dip each breast in egg, letting excess drip off, then press into breadcrumb mixture coating both sides thoroughly. Lay on a plate or tray.
- Prepare baking sheet and bake: Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Place a wire rack on a rimmed baking sheet and spray lightly with olive oil. Place chicken on rack and spray tops lightly. Bake for about 15 minutes until cooked through and crust is golden and crispy.
- Add sauce and cheese, then broil: Remove chicken from oven. Spoon about 2 tablespoons marinara sauce over each piece, then sprinkle with mozzarella. Switch oven to broil, move baking sheet to top rack, and broil 2-3 minutes until cheese bubbles and lightly browns. Watch closely to avoid burning.
- Serve immediately: Serve hot with your favorite sides.
Notes
Use a wire rack to keep the crust crispy and avoid sogginess. Press breadcrumbs firmly onto chicken for a sturdy crust. Use freshly grated Parmesan for best flavor and texture. Broil cheese only at the end to avoid soggy crust. Do not add sauce before baking to keep crust crispy. Reheat leftovers in a skillet to maintain crispness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast wit
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 5
- Sodium: 720
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 8
- Carbohydrates: 18
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 45
Keywords: chicken parmesan, crispy baked chicken, easy weeknight dinner, panko chicken, baked chicken parmesan, quick chicken recipe, family dinner