Description
This Melt In Your Mouth Chicken Breast recipe delivers tender, juicy chicken with a flavorful, creamy Parmesan topping. The chicken breasts are pounded to even thickness, coated with a rich mixture of mayonnaise, Parmesan cheese, and spices, then baked to a golden finish. Perfect for an easy, comforting dinner that feels gourmet but requires minimal effort.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Topping
- 1 cup mayonnaise (or plain Greek yogurt for lighter version)
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Optional Seasoning
- ½ teaspoon paprika or Italian seasoning (for topping)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and prepare a 9×13-inch baking dish by greasing it or lining it with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Pound Chicken: Place each chicken breast between two sheets of plastic wrap or parchment paper and gently pound them to an even thickness of about ¾ inch. This ensures the chicken cooks evenly and stays tender.
- Prepare Topping Mixture: In a medium bowl, combine the mayonnaise, grated Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Stir until the mixture is smooth and well blended.
- Coat Chicken: Spread the prepared mixture evenly over the top of each chicken breast, covering the entire surface to create a flavorful crust.
- Add Optional Seasoning: Place the coated chicken breasts in the baking dish and sprinkle the optional paprika or Italian seasoning evenly on top for extra color and flavor.
- Bake: Bake the chicken uncovered in the preheated oven for 35–45 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and the topping is golden brown and slightly crisp.
- Rest: Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes. This helps the juices redistribute, ensuring a moist and tender bite when served.
Notes
- Using Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise reduces the fat content while maintaining creaminess.
- Ensure chicken breasts are uniformly pounded to avoid uneven cooking.
- Check chicken doneness with a meat thermometer to avoid overcooking.
- Optional seasoning can be customized with herbs like thyme or rosemary for variation.
- Letting the chicken rest after baking improves juiciness and flavor.
