Description
Juicy, boneless, skinless chicken breasts coated in a crunchy Parmesan–Panko crust and baked to golden perfection. A flavorful, crowd-pleasing dish perfect for weeknights or entertaining.
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 6–8 oz each)
- 1 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese (preferably freshly grated)
- 1 cup Panko breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper (or to taste)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (for drizzling)
- Optional: Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
- Optional: Lemon wedges (for serving)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil; place a wire rack on top if desired for extra crispiness.
- Pound chicken breasts to even thickness (~1/2 inch) and season both sides with salt and pepper.
- Set up three shallow dishes: one with flour, one with beaten eggs, and one with a mix of Parmesan, Panko, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and paprika.
- Dredge each chicken breast in flour (shake off excess), dip in eggs, then press into Parmesan–Panko mixture to coat thoroughly.
- Place breaded chicken on baking sheet without overcrowding. Drizzle each with about 1/2 to 1 teaspoon olive oil.
- Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until crust is golden and internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Let rest a few minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve with lemon wedges if desired.
Notes
- To keep crust crispy, reheat leftovers in the oven or air fryer—not the microwave.
- You can prepare the breaded chicken a few hours ahead and refrigerate before baking.
- For freezing, bread the raw chicken and freeze in a single layer. Bake from frozen, adding 10–15 minutes.
- If crust isn’t crispy, broil for a minute or two at the end—but watch closely.
- Serve with marinara sauce and pasta for a Chicken Parmesan twist.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 540mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 16g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 46g
- Cholesterol: 165mg
