OVEN BAKED CHICKEN PARMESAN


 

OVEN BAKED CHICKEN PARMESAN

This Oven-Baked Chicken Parmesan is a healthier, fuss-free version of the classic Italian-American favorite. Crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, topped with marinara and melted cheese—perfect for weeknight dinners or entertaining guests.


⭐ Why This Recipe Works

  • Oven-baked, not fried: Less oil, less mess

  • Golden, crispy coating that stays crunchy

  • Juicy chicken every time

  • Perfect for layering with pasta or serving on its own


🛒 Ingredients (Serves 4)

Chicken & Coating

  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or 8 small cutlets)

  • Salt & black pepper, to taste

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour

  • 2 large eggs, beaten

  • 1½ cups panko breadcrumbs

  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

  • 1 tsp garlic powder

  • 1 tsp dried Italian herbs

  • 2–3 tbsp olive oil or melted butter

Topping

  • 1½ cups marinara sauce (store-bought or homemade)

  • 1–1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese

  • 2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese

  • Fresh basil or parsley, chopped (optional)


🔥 Instructions

1. Prep

  • Preheat oven to 200°C / 400°F

  • Line a baking sheet with foil and lightly grease

2. Flatten Chicken

  • Optional: Pound chicken to even thickness (about 1–1.5 cm) for uniform cooking

3. Coat Chicken

  • Season chicken with salt & pepper

  • Dredge in flour → dip in beaten eggs → coat with breadcrumb-Parmesan mixture

  • Drizzle or brush breadcrumbs lightly with olive oil for extra crisp

4. Bake Chicken

  • Arrange chicken on prepared tray

  • Bake 20–25 minutes until chicken reaches 75°C / 165°F and coating is golden

5. Add Sauce & Cheese

  • Spoon marinara over each piece

  • Top with mozzarella and extra Parmesan

  • Return to oven 5–10 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly

6. Garnish

  • Sprinkle with fresh basil or parsley

  • Serve hot


🍝 Serving Ideas

  • Over spaghetti or linguine with extra marinara

  • With garlic bread and Caesar salad

  • Alongside roasted vegetables or zucchini noodles


🔄 Flavor Variations

  • Spicy Chicken Parmesan: Add red pepper flakes to marinara

  • Herbed Crust: Mix oregano, thyme, and rosemary into breadcrumbs

  • Cheesy Twist: Add provolone or fontina cheese for extra flavor

  • Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free breadcrumbs or almond meal


🧊 Storage & Reheating

  • Refrigerate: Up to 3–4 days in airtight container

  • Reheat: Oven at 180°C / 350°F for 10–12 minutes to keep crust crispy

  • Freeze: Freeze baked chicken un-sauced for up to 2 months; thaw and bake before adding cheese


💡 Pro Tips

  • Pat chicken dry before coating for maximum crisp

  • Use freshly grated Parmesan for best flavor

  • Avoid overcrowding pan—chicken will steam instead of crisping

  • Broil for 1–2 minutes at the end if you want extra golden cheese


OTHER RECIPES

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. Cool. Enjoy the OVEN BAKED CHICKEN PARMESAN !!!

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