Print

Parmesan Crusted Baked Chicken Breast

Parmesan Crusted Baked Chicken Breast - featured image

This easy Parmesan Crusted Baked Chicken Breast delivers juicy chicken with a crispy, cheesy crust. Perfect for busy weeknights or cozy family dinners, it’s a crowd-pleaser that’s quick, comforting, and full of flavor.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 pounds)
  • 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon salt, divided
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, divided
  • Olive oil or cooking spray, for brushing or spraying
  • Optional: 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
  • Optional: 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Optional: 1 teaspoon lemon zest

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with foil and place a wire rack on top.
  2. Place chicken breasts between two sheets of parchment paper and gently pound to an even 1/2-inch thickness.
  3. Sprinkle both sides of chicken with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper.
  4. Set up three bowls: one with flour, one with beaten eggs, and one with panko, Parmesan, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, remaining salt and pepper (plus optional paprika and lemon zest if using).
  5. Coat each chicken breast in flour (shake off excess), dip in egg (let excess drip off), then press into breadcrumb-Parmesan mixture until evenly coated.
  6. Arrange coated chicken pieces on the wire rack, spacing apart for airflow.
  7. Brush or spray tops of chicken with olive oil or cooking spray.
  8. Bake for 22-25 minutes, or until crust is golden and chicken is cooked through (internal temp 165°F). For thicker breasts, bake up to 28 minutes.
  9. Optional: Broil for 1-2 minutes at the end for extra crunch, watching closely.
  10. Remove from oven and let rest 5 minutes before slicing.
  11. Garnish with fresh parsley and extra Parmesan if desired. Serve with lemon wedges or your favorite sides.

Notes

For best results, use freshly grated Parmesan and bake on a wire rack for maximum crispiness. Pat chicken dry before breading, and press the crumb mixture in well. If making gluten-free, substitute almond flour and gluten-free panko. Broil briefly at the end for extra crunch, but watch closely to avoid burning. Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 2 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: parmesan chicken, baked chicken breast, crispy chicken, easy dinner, weeknight meal, comfort food, family recipe, panko crusted chicken, oven baked chicken, cheesy chicken