Fitness / January 10, 2024

Baked Chicken Parmesan Recipe

The classic Italian-American Baked Chicken Parmesan grows up and gets healthy. Mama Mia!

Table of Contents

Toggle

Guess where you’ll never see this dish? Italy! American-Italian cuisine has become a style unto itself, and along with the likes of Baked Ziti and most of the pizza we see in North America, it’s not “real” Italian food. That doesn’t make it any less legitimate or delicious; it’s popular for good reason.

This Baked Chicken Parmesan dish is based on Eggplant Parmigiana, which is indeed popular in both Italy and North America. Chicken cutlet, marinara sauce, and melted cheesy goodness ensures that Chicken Parm will always be a welcome addition to the dinner roster.

Often prepared as a messy but delicious sandwich, it can also be served with a vegetable side, which is how I serve it. Pair it with simple steamed broccolini and you have a well balanced and delicious meal.

Is Baked Chicken Parmesan Recipe Healthy?

Chicken Parmesan is traditionally fried, but I think this healthier, baked version tastes every bit as good. Tender chicken, crispy coating, tangy sauce, and gooey cheese combine to make a sublime dinner. Eschew the bread and pair it with green vegetables or salad to make it an even healthier choice.

INGREDIENTS

1 1/2 pounds chicken breasts thinly cut in half
1 ½ cups seasoned breadcrumbs
½ cup parmesan cheese grated
1 cup mozzarella cheese shredded
2 tbsp butter
1 tsp dried oregano
1 can chopped tomatoes with basil
Fresh parsley to taste

INSTRUCTIONS

Combine

Preheat the oven to 420 degrees F. Combine the parmesan cheese with seasoned breadcrumbs.

Coat

Melt the butter and using a brush, coat the chicken breasts on both sides.

Dip

Dip the chicken breast in the breadcrumb mixture and place it on a flat plate.

Bake

Line a tray with baking paper and place the chicken breasts on top. Spray oil on top and bake for 20 minutes.

Mix

Without draining them, mix the tomatoes with oregano. Remove the tray from the oven and add the tomato mixture on top of the meat pieces.

Sprinkle

Sprinkle mozzarella cheese on top. Put the tray back in the oven and bake for 5 minutes until the mozzarella melts.

Garnish

Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley on top and serve with your favorite side dish.

DEVOUR!

Tips and Tricks to Make a Perfect Baked Chicken Parmesan Recipe

Make sure to (carefully!) cut the chicken to even thickness to ensure even cooking. Place the breast on a board and put your palm flat on top of the chicken. Using a long sharp knife, carefully cut the chicken into cutlets using a sawing motion. Your butcher will do this for you if you ask.
Grating your own cheese is more economical that buying it pre-done, and it also melts better because there is no anti-clumping agent that you’ll find in bagged grated cheese.
For even juicier chicken, try using skinless boneless thighs instead of breast. You don’t have to cut them, just cover them in plastic wrap and beat them up with a rolling pin, frying pan, or a meat hammer. Not only will you get juicier chicken but you’ll get some of the day’s frustrations out, too.

FAQs

my chicken is too dry. what did i do wrong?

The best way to make sure your chicken isn’t overcooked is to use a meat thermometer. If you haven’t got one, make a small test piece on the side and cut into it at 16 minutes. If the juices run clear, it’s ready. Remember that it will continue to cook slightly as it rests. Another option is to use the chicken thighs described above – they are much more forgiving.

My cheese is melting but not gooey!

Low fat cheeses melt differently, and a full fat mozzarella is needed to get that stringy pull. Also, pre-grated cheese has additives that prevent it from clumping in the bag, and that can sometimes lead to a less satisfying melt.

can i use different meats?

This recipe works very well with veal or pork loin. Tenderize the meat with a meat hammer to get it nice and thin – it’ll tend to pull back together while it cooks.

Make Ahead and Storage

You can go ahead and make the cutlets in advance and even precook them to the sauce adding stage. At this point they can be stored in the fridge for up to three days before use – just pull ’em out, sauce ’em up, add your cheese, and pop them back into the oven until heated through and melted. It’s also ok to take them to the breading stage and leave them raw on the baking sheet, but they should be cooked within two hours.

As for leftovers, you can store them in the fridge for about 3 days, and in the freezer for up to 3 months. Just let them thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.

Baked Chicken Parmesan Recipe

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 25

Servings

Calories 376kcal

Author FoodFaithFitness

Ingredients

1 1/2 pounds chicken breasts thinly cut in half
1 ½ cups seasoned breadcrumbs
½ cup parmesan cheese grated
1 cup mozzarella cheese shredded
2 tbsp butter
1 tsp dried oregano
1 can chopped tomatoes with basil
Fresh parsley to taste

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 420 degrees F. Combine the parmesan cheese with seasoned breadcrumbs.
Melt the butter, and using a brush, coat the chicken breasts on both sides.
Dip the chicken breast in the breadcrumb mixture and place it on a flat plate.
Line a tray with baking paper and place the chicken breasts. Spray oil on top and bake for 20 minutes.
Without draining them, mix the tomatoes with oregano. Remove the tray from the oven and add the tomato mixture on top of the meat pieces.
Sprinkle mozzarella cheese on top. Put the tray back in the oven and bake for 5 minutes until the mozzarella melts.
Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley on top and serve with your favorite side dish. Enjoy!