Parmesan Crusted Chicken
This easy Parmesan Crusted Chicken recipe delivers a perfectly crispy, golden crust with juicy and tender chicken inside. With simple pantry ingredients and straightforward steps, you get a flavorful, family-friendly meal that pairs well with various sides and sauces. Ideal for quick weeknight dinners or a special yet effortless meal.
- Author: Barbara
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Pan-frying
- Cuisine: Italian-inspired
- Diet: Gluten Free (when using gluten-free breadcrumbs or almond flour)
Chicken
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 lb)
Breading Mixture
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese (freshly grated recommended)
- 1 cup breadcrumbs (panko for extra crunch or regular)
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp dried Italian herbs (oregano, basil, thyme blend)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Binding and Cooking
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 2 tbsp olive oil or 1 tbsp butter (for cooking)
Optional Variations
- Pinch of cayenne pepper or smoked paprika (for spicy kick)
- Fresh herbs like rosemary, parsley, or thyme (instead of dried)
- Gluten-free breadcrumbs or almond flour (for gluten-free version)
- Zest of 1 lemon (for bright flavor twist)
- Marinara or garlic cream sauce (for serving)
- Prepare the Chicken: Pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness of about half an inch. This ensures even cooking and juicy meat inside the crust.
- Set Up Your Breading Station: In one shallow dish, beat the eggs. In another dish, combine grated Parmesan, breadcrumbs, garlic powder, dried Italian herbs, salt, and pepper.
- Coat the Chicken: Dip each chicken breast first into the beaten eggs, letting excess drip off, then press firmly into the Parmesan breadcrumb mixture. Make sure each piece is evenly coated on all sides for maximum crunch and flavor.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat olive oil or butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add the coated chicken breasts and cook for 4-5 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through, reaching an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C).
- Rest and Serve: Let the chicken rest for a few minutes after cooking to lock in juices. Slice and serve as desired, optionally garnished with fresh herbs.
Notes
- Even Thickness: Pounding chicken helps it cook evenly and stay juicy.
- Use Fresh Parmesan: Freshly grated cheese crisps better than pre-shredded varieties.
- Don’t Skip Resting: Resting retains moisture for tender bites.
- Medium Heat: Cook on medium heat to get a crispy crust without burning.
- Double Dip: Dip chicken twice in egg and breadcrumb for extra thick crust.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast (about 6 oz)
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 140mg
Keywords: Parmesan crusted chicken, crispy chicken, easy chicken recipes, weeknight dinner, gluten-free chicken, cheesy chicken, Italian chicken