Effortless & Delicious: Easy Breaded Baked Chicken Breast Recipe

Craving a crispy, flavorful, and satisfying meal without spending hours in the kitchen? Look no further! This recipe for easy breaded baked chicken breast delivers all the deliciousness of fried chicken, but without the extra calories and mess. It’s perfect for a weeknight dinner, a quick lunch, or even meal prepping. The simple ingredients and straightforward instructions make it a winner for both novice and experienced cooks alike. Say goodbye to dry, bland chicken and hello to juicy, tender perfection!

Why Bake Breaded Chicken?

While fried chicken is undeniably delicious, it’s not always the healthiest or most convenient option. Baking offers several advantages:

• Healthier: Baking significantly reduces the amount of oil needed compared to frying, making it a lower-fat alternative.
• Less Mess: No splattering oil to clean up! Baking is much cleaner and easier to manage.
• Even Cooking: Baking ensures that the chicken cooks evenly throughout, resulting in tender and juicy meat.
• Hands-Off: Once the chicken is in the oven, you can focus on other tasks, like preparing side dishes.

Ingredients You’ll Need

This recipe uses simple, pantry-friendly ingredients that you probably already have on hand:

• Chicken Breasts: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are the star of the show. About 6-8 ounces each is ideal.
• Breadcrumbs: Use plain breadcrumbs or Italian-seasoned breadcrumbs for added flavor. Panko breadcrumbs will provide the crispiest result.
• Eggs: Eggs help the breadcrumbs adhere to the chicken and create a golden-brown crust.
• Flour: All-purpose flour helps the egg mixture stick to the chicken.
• Milk (Optional): A splash of milk can be added to the egg mixture for extra moisture.
• Seasonings: Salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and Italian seasoning (if using plain breadcrumbs) are essential for flavor. Feel free to customize with your favorite herbs and spices!
• Olive Oil or Cooking Spray: A light coating of olive oil or cooking spray helps the chicken brown and crisp up in the oven.

Detailed Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these easy steps to create perfectly breaded baked chicken breasts:

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken

1. Pound the Chicken: Place each chicken breast between two sheets of plastic wrap or in a resealable plastic bag. Use a meat mallet or rolling pin to pound the chicken to an even thickness of about ½ inch. This ensures even cooking.
2. Pat Dry: Use paper towels to thoroughly pat the chicken breasts dry. This helps the breadcrumbs adhere better.

Step 2: Set Up the Breading Station

1. Flour Bowl: In a shallow dish, place the all-purpose flour. Season with a pinch of salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder.
2. Egg Wash Bowl: In a separate shallow dish, whisk the eggs with a splash of milk (if using). Season with a pinch of salt and pepper.
3. Breadcrumb Bowl: In a third shallow dish, place the breadcrumbs. If using plain breadcrumbs, season with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
4. Prepare Baking Sheet: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil for easy cleanup. Lightly spray the parchment paper/foil with cooking spray or drizzle with a small amount of olive oil.

Step 3: Bread the Chicken

1. Dredge in Flour: Dredge each chicken breast in the flour mixture, making sure to coat all sides. Shake off any excess flour.
2. Dip in Egg Wash: Dip the floured chicken breast into the egg wash, ensuring it is fully coated. Allow any excess egg to drip off.
3. Coat in Breadcrumbs: Transfer the chicken breast to the breadcrumb mixture and press the breadcrumbs firmly onto all sides, ensuring a thorough coating.
4. Place on Baking Sheet: Place the breaded chicken breast on the prepared baking sheet.
5. Repeat: Repeat the breading process with the remaining chicken breasts.

Step 4: Bake the Chicken

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Spray with Oil: Lightly spray the breaded chicken breasts with cooking spray or drizzle with a small amount of olive oil. This helps them brown and crisp up in the oven.
3. Bake: Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Use a meat thermometer to ensure accuracy.
4. Optional Broil: For extra crispy breading, broil the chicken for the last 1-2 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning.

Step 5: Rest and Serve

1. Rest: Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in a more tender and flavorful chicken breast.
2. Serve: Serve the breaded baked chicken breasts with your favorite sides, such as mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, a salad, or pasta.

Tips for Perfect Breaded Baked Chicken

• Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: Make sure the chicken breasts are not too close together on the baking sheet. Overcrowding can prevent the chicken from browning properly. If necessary, bake in batches.
• Use Fresh Breadcrumbs: Fresh breadcrumbs tend to adhere better than stale breadcrumbs. If using stale breadcrumbs, you can pulse them in a food processor to create a finer texture.
• Season Generously: Don’t be afraid to season the flour, egg wash, and breadcrumbs generously. This is where the flavor comes from!
• Pound Evenly: Pounding the chicken breasts to an even thickness ensures that they cook evenly and prevent them from drying out.
• Check for Doneness: Always use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chicken. It should reach 165°F (74°C) to ensure it is cooked through.
• Crispy Breading Secret: Elevate the baking sheet with a wire rack underneath. This promotes air circulation and even browning of the chicken.

Variations and Additions

This recipe is incredibly versatile! Here are a few variations and additions you can try:

• Parmesan Chicken: Add grated Parmesan cheese to the breadcrumb mixture for a cheesy flavor.
• Spicy Chicken: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to the breadcrumb mixture for a spicy kick.
• Herb Chicken: Add chopped fresh herbs, such as parsley, thyme, or rosemary, to the breadcrumb mixture.
• Garlic Breadcrumbs: Sauté minced garlic in olive oil and then mix with the breadcrumbs for an extra garlicky flavor.
• Lemon Pepper Chicken: Add lemon zest and black pepper to the breadcrumb mixture.
• Gluten-Free Chicken: Use gluten-free flour and gluten-free breadcrumbs to make this recipe gluten-free.
• Air Fryer Chicken: You can also adapt this recipe for the air fryer. Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) and cook the breaded chicken breasts for 12-15 minutes, or until cooked through, flipping halfway through.

Serving Suggestions

Breaded baked chicken breast is a versatile main course that pairs well with a variety of side dishes. Here are a few ideas:

• Classic Sides: Mashed potatoes, gravy, corn on the cob, green beans, coleslaw
• Roasted Vegetables: Roasted broccoli, carrots, Brussels sprouts, asparagus
• Salads: Caesar salad, garden salad, Caprese salad
• Pasta: Mac and cheese, spaghetti with marinara sauce, fettuccine Alfredo
• Grains: Rice pilaf, quinoa, couscous

Make-Ahead Instructions

This recipe can be made ahead of time for even easier weeknight dinners:

• Breaded Chicken: You can bread the chicken breasts ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Cover them tightly with plastic wrap or store them in an airtight container.
• Cooked Chicken: Cooked chicken breasts can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat them in the oven or microwave until warmed through.

Storage Instructions

• Refrigerator: Store leftover breaded baked chicken breasts in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• Freezer: For longer storage, freeze the cooked chicken breasts in an airtight container for up to 2-3 months. Thaw them in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.

Reheating Instructions

• Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the chicken breasts on a baking sheet and bake for 10-15 minutes, or until warmed through.
• Microwave: Microwave the chicken breasts on high for 1-2 minutes, or until warmed through.
• Air Fryer: Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 5-7 minutes, or until warmed through. This is a great way to re-crisp the breading.

Recipe Summary

This easy breaded baked chicken breast recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. It’s healthy, delicious, and easy to make, making it perfect for busy weeknights. With simple ingredients and customizable flavors, you can create a meal that everyone will love. So ditch the takeout and give this recipe a try – you won’t be disappointed!

Easy Breaded Baked Chicken Breast Recipe

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Servings: 4

Ingredients:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (6-8 ounces each)
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 large eggs
• ¼ cup milk (optional)
• 1 ½ cups breadcrumbs (plain or Italian-seasoned)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon paprika (if using plain breadcrumbs)
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (if using plain breadcrumbs)
• Olive oil or cooking spray

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil and spray with cooking spray or drizzle with olive oil.
2. Pound chicken breasts to an even ½-inch thickness. Pat dry with paper towels.
3. Set up breading station: In a shallow dish, combine flour, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. In another dish, whisk eggs with milk (if using), salt, and pepper. In a third dish, combine breadcrumbs with paprika and Italian seasoning (if using plain breadcrumbs).
4. Dredge each chicken breast in flour, dip in egg wash, and coat with breadcrumbs. Press breadcrumbs firmly onto the chicken.
5. Place breaded chicken breasts on the prepared baking sheet.
6. Spray the breaded chicken breasts with cooking spray or drizzle with olive oil.
7. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
8. Optional: Broil for the last 1-2 minutes for extra crispy breading, watching carefully to prevent burning.
9. Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before serving.
10. Serve with your favorite sides.

Nutrition Information (approximate, per serving):

Calories: 400-450

Protein: 40-45g

Fat: 15-20g

Carbohydrates: 20-25g

Enjoy!

I hope you enjoyed this recipe for Easy Breaded Baked Chicken Breast. Please leave a comment below if you tried this recipe and let me know how it turns out. Bon appétit!