Description
Crispy Parmesan Crusted Chicken is a simple yet impressive dinner recipe featuring tender chicken breasts coated in a golden, crunchy Parmesan and herb crust. This baked chicken is juicy on the inside, perfectly crispy on the outside, and ready in just 30 minutes – making it ideal for busy weeknights or special occasions.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5-2 lbs)
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- ¾ cup breadcrumbs (Italian or plain)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
- Cooking spray or olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat Your Oven – Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
- Prepare the Chicken – Pat chicken breasts completely dry with paper towels. If any breasts are thicker than 1 inch, pound them to an even thickness using a meat mallet. Season both sides lightly with salt and pepper.
- Make the Mayo Coating – In a small bowl, place the mayonnaise. This will be your “glue” to help the breadcrumb mixture stick to the chicken.
- Prepare the Parmesan Crust Mixture – In a shallow dish or bowl, combine the breadcrumbs, freshly grated Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Mix well with a fork until everything is evenly distributed.
- Coat the Chicken – Take one chicken breast and spread a generous layer of mayonnaise all over both sides – don’t be shy! Then press the chicken into the breadcrumb mixture, coating both sides thoroughly. Press down firmly to ensure the coating sticks. Place the coated chicken on your prepared baking sheet. Repeat with remaining chicken breasts.
- Add Final Touches – Once all chicken is coated and arranged on the baking sheet, lightly spray the tops with cooking spray or drizzle with a tiny bit of olive oil. This helps achieve that gorgeous golden-brown color.
- Bake to Perfection – Bake in the preheated oven for 18-22 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F when checked with a meat thermometer. The coating should be golden brown and crispy, and the chicken should be cooked through with no pink remaining.
- Rest and Serve – Remove from oven and let the chicken rest for 3-5 minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley if desired and serve immediately.
Notes
- Don’t Skip the Mayo: It keeps the chicken incredibly moist and helps the coating adhere perfectly.
- Fresh Parmesan is Key: Pre-grated Parmesan from a container won’t melt and crisp up the same way fresh does.
- Check Internal Temperature: Always use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches 165°F for food safety.
- Avoid Overcrowding: Leave space between chicken pieces on the baking sheet for even cooking and maximum crispiness.
- Thickness Matters: If your chicken breasts vary in size, the smaller/thinner ones may cook faster – check them early.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American, Italian-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast
- Calories: 385
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 685mg
- Fat: 19g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 115mg