Effortless Parmesan Crusted Chicken: A Weeknight Dinner Delight

Craving a delicious and satisfying dinner that doesn’t require hours in the kitchen? Look no further than this incredibly easy Parmesan Crusted Chicken recipe! This dish is perfect for busy weeknights, offering a crispy, flavorful coating and tender, juicy chicken that the whole family will love. With just a few simple ingredients and minimal prep time, you can have a restaurant-quality meal on your table in under an hour. Get ready to ditch the takeout menus and embrace the simplicity and deliciousness of this Parmesan Crusted Chicken!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Quick and Easy: From start to finish, this recipe takes less than an hour. Perfect for those busy weeknights!
• Simple Ingredients: You probably already have most of the ingredients in your pantry and refrigerator.
• Kid-Friendly: The crispy, cheesy coating makes this chicken a hit with even the pickiest eaters.
• Versatile: Serve it with your favorite sides, like roasted vegetables, pasta, or a fresh salad.
• Flavorful: The combination of Parmesan cheese, breadcrumbs, and Italian seasoning creates a delicious and satisfying flavor profile.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• Chicken Breasts: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are the star of the show. Aim for breasts that are roughly the same size and thickness for even cooking.
• Parmesan Cheese: Freshly grated Parmesan cheese is highly recommended for the best flavor and texture. Pre-grated cheese can sometimes be dry and lack the same depth of flavor.
• Breadcrumbs: Use plain breadcrumbs or Italian seasoned breadcrumbs for an extra boost of flavor. Panko breadcrumbs will create an extra crispy coating.
• Eggs: Eggs help the breadcrumb mixture adhere to the chicken breasts.
• Italian Seasoning: This blend of herbs adds a classic Italian flavor to the dish. You can also use a combination of dried oregano, basil, and thyme.
• Garlic Powder: Garlic powder enhances the savory flavor of the chicken.
• Salt and Pepper: To taste, to season the chicken and the breadcrumb mixture.
• Olive Oil: For drizzling over the chicken before baking. This helps the breadcrumbs brown and crisp up. You can also use cooking spray.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these simple steps to create perfectly Parmesan crusted chicken every time:

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken Breasts

If your chicken breasts are thick, you’ll want to pound them to an even thickness (about ½ inch). This will ensure that they cook evenly and quickly. To do this, place the chicken breasts between two sheets of plastic wrap and use a meat mallet or rolling pin to gently pound them until they are the desired thickness.

Pounding the chicken also helps to tenderize it, resulting in a more juicy and flavorful final product.

Step 2: Set Up the Breadcrumb Station

Prepare three shallow dishes. In the first dish, whisk the eggs with a tablespoon of water. This creates an egg wash that will help the breadcrumbs stick to the chicken.

In the second dish, combine the Parmesan cheese, breadcrumbs, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix well to ensure that all the ingredients are evenly distributed.

The third dish is for the chicken breasts after they’ve been dredged in the egg wash.

Step 3: Bread the Chicken

Dredge each chicken breast in the egg wash, making sure to coat it completely. Allow any excess egg to drip off.

Next, transfer the chicken breast to the breadcrumb mixture and press firmly to coat both sides. Ensure that the breadcrumbs are evenly distributed and that the chicken is fully covered. This step is crucial for achieving a crispy and flavorful crust.

Place the breaded chicken breasts on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. This will prevent the chicken from sticking to the pan and make cleanup easier.

Step 4: Bake the Chicken

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Drizzle the breaded chicken breasts with olive oil or spray with cooking spray. This will help the breadcrumbs brown and crisp up nicely in the oven.

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 accurate doneness.

If the breadcrumbs start to brown too quickly, you can loosely tent the baking sheet with aluminum foil to prevent burning.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

Once the chicken is cooked through, remove it from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in a more tender and flavorful chicken.

Serve the Parmesan Crusted Chicken immediately with your favorite sides. Garnish with fresh parsley, if desired.

Tips for Perfect Parmesan Crusted Chicken

• Use high-quality Parmesan cheese: The flavor of the Parmesan cheese is a key component of this dish, so it’s worth investing in a good-quality cheese. Freshly grated Parmesan will provide the best flavor and texture.
• Don’t overcrowd the baking sheet: Overcrowding the baking sheet can cause the chicken to steam instead of bake, resulting in a less crispy crust. Make sure to leave enough space between the chicken breasts for even cooking. You may need to use two baking sheets.
• Pound the chicken to an even thickness: This ensures that the chicken cooks evenly and prevents some parts from being overcooked while others are still raw.
• Don’t skip the olive oil: The olive oil helps the breadcrumbs brown and crisp up beautifully.
• Use a meat thermometer: A meat thermometer is the best way to ensure that the chicken is cooked through and safe to eat. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C).
• Let the chicken rest before serving: Allowing the chicken to rest for a few minutes before serving allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in a more tender and flavorful final product.

Variations and Substitutions

• Add some spice: For a spicy kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the breadcrumb mixture.
• Use different cheese: Try using a combination of Parmesan cheese and other cheeses, such as mozzarella or Asiago.
• Add herbs: Experiment with different herbs in the breadcrumb mixture, such as rosemary, thyme, or sage.
• Use gluten-free breadcrumbs: If you’re gluten-free, you can use gluten-free breadcrumbs in place of regular breadcrumbs.
• Air Fryer Parmesan Crusted Chicken: Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Place the breaded chicken breasts in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Cook for 12-15 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Flip the chicken halfway through cooking.

Serving Suggestions

Parmesan Crusted Chicken is a versatile dish that can be served with a variety of sides. Here are a few suggestions:

• Roasted Vegetables: Roasted broccoli, asparagus, carrots, or Brussels sprouts make a healthy and delicious side dish.
• Pasta: Serve the chicken over a bed of pasta with marinara sauce, pesto, or Alfredo sauce.
• Salad: A fresh green salad or a Caesar salad is a light and refreshing accompaniment to the rich and flavorful chicken.
• Mashed Potatoes: Creamy mashed potatoes are a comforting and satisfying side dish.
• Rice: Serve the chicken with rice pilaf or quinoa for a complete and balanced meal.

Make-Ahead and Storage Instructions

Make-Ahead: You can prepare the chicken breasts ahead of time by breading them and storing them in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. When you’re ready to cook them, simply bake as directed.

Storage: Leftover Parmesan Crusted Chicken can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave until warmed through.

Freezing: Breaded chicken breasts can be frozen before cooking. Place the breaded chicken breasts on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and freeze for 1-2 hours, or until solid. Transfer the frozen chicken breasts to a freezer bag or container and store in the freezer for up to 2-3 months. When ready to cook, bake from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time.

Recipe Card

Conclusion

This Parmesan Crusted Chicken recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that is incredibly easy to make. It’s the perfect solution for a quick and delicious weeknight dinner. The crispy, cheesy coating combined with the tender, juicy chicken creates a truly satisfying meal that the whole family will enjoy. So, gather your ingredients, follow these simple steps, and get ready to enjoy a restaurant-worthy dish in the comfort of your own home! Don’t forget to experiment with different variations and serving suggestions to make it your own. Happy cooking!