This baked chicken parmesan is light, crispy, and so tasty! Ready in just 40 minutes, it's a family-friendly meal that is easy to prep on a weeknight!
Just like our crispy air fryer chicken parmesan and baked chicken breast, this baked chicken parmesan is tender, juicy, and so easy to prepare.
This simplified chicken parmesan is easy to prepare, and healthier than the classic version as it is baked instead of fried! Not only does it involve less prep time, but it is just as delicious and made with lighter ingredients.
A healthier chicken parmesan that fits into your weeknight meal prep? Yes, please! Loved by kids and grown-ups alike, the whole family is going to enjoy this tasty chicken parm.
Reasons You'll Love This Recipe
- the flavor and texture is delicious - crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside
- we've skipped the frying step, making it easier and healthier
- the kids loved it!
Recipe Video
Watch the video below to see exactly how I prepped this baked chicken parmesan recipe. It’s so easy! You can find more of my recipe videos on my YouTube channel.
Ingredient Notes
- Chicken breast - to ensure they cook through evenly, we slice them into two thin halves. This makes them more even in thickness, and prevents certain parts from overcooking. You could swap for boneless skinless chicken thighs, though you'll need to increase the cook time by a few minutes.
- Panko - seasoned Japanese breadcrumbs, these are larger in crumb than regular breadcrumbs and get very crunchy in the air fryer; you should be able to find them near the breadcrumbs in your grocery store.
- Flour - helps the egg and breading stick to the chicken; you can try swapping for almond flour though we haven't tested; whole wheat flour, or a 1:1 all-purpose gluten free flour should work too.
- Egg - helps the breading stick better to the chicken. Another option is to skip the egg and flour and brush with oil, though your breading won't stick quite as well.
- Basil - we reccomend fresh sweet basil for this recipe; dried simply does not compare to the flavor of fresh.
Step by Step Directions
Prepare chicken
Cut chicken breasts in half horizontally so you end up with flat, wide pieces.
TIP- it's easiest to slice the chicken breasts if they are chilled. You can alternatively pound them flat with a mallet, but the cook time may need to be increased for a full chicken breast.
Bread the Chicken
Heat oven to 375°F. Into three separate bowls add:
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- flour
- egg
- panko, parmesan cheese, oregano and salt.
Using tongs, dredge the chicken in the flour mixture until coated. Shake off excess. Dip chicken in egg mixture until thoroughly coated. Finally, coat the chicken on both sides in the panko/parmesan cheese mixture.
Bake
Place each coated chicken breast on a baking sheet, then bake in preheated oven for 20 minutes at 375ºF.
Add Marinara
Top with marinara, then mozzarella cheese and return to the oven for another 5 minutes, or until cheese has melted.
Serve
Serve with fresh basil, and enjoy!
FAQ
While we haven't tested it, we suspect it would work just fine. Swap the all-purpose flour for gluten-free or almond flour, and the panko for gluten-free panko.
Check out this recipe for Low carb chicken parmesan which uses pork rinds in place of breadcrumbs!
Absolutely! Follow our directions for cooking crispy air fryer chicken parmesan.
Variations + Swaps
- Chicken - swap for boneless chicken thighs or white fish
- Marinara - swap for pesto or brushetta (do not cook the bruschetta, just add it to serve)
- mozzarella - swap for monterey jack, havarti, gouda, or your favorite cheese
- basil - swap for thai basil or any other type of fresh basil; chervil is an alternative herb that might work in place
Storage + Reheating
Baked chicken parmesan is best served fresh, as the breading loses its crispy texture as it is stored. With that being said, it's safe to store and reheat:
- if you plan to reheat later, do not add marinara and mozzarella
- store in an air tight container for up to 4 days
- re-heat on a baking sheet for 5 minutes at 350°F
- then add the marinara and cheese and bake for another 5 or so minutes until the cheese is melted.
Did you make this? Tag me on social @sweetpeasandsaffron and be sure to leave a comment and rate the recipe!
Baked Chicken Parmesan Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 large chicken breasts roughly 1 lb
- 2 tablespoons all purpose flour almond and GF flour may also work
- 1 egg beaten
- ½ cup Panko breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup parmesan cheese freshly shredded
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup marinara sauce
- ¼ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
To serve
- fresh basil leaves (torn)
Instructions
- Prepare chicken - Cut chicken breasts horizontally so you end up with flat, wide pieces.
- Bread the chicken - Heat oven to 375°F. Into three separate bowls add:1. flour2. egg3. panko, parmesan cheese, oregano and salt.Using tongs, dredge the chicken in the flour mixture until coated. Shake off excess. Dip chicken in egg mixture until thoroughly coated. Finally, coat the chicken on both sides in the panko/parmesan cheese mixture.
- Bake - Place each coated chicken breast on a baking sheet, then bake in preheated oven for 20 minutes at 375ºF.
- Add Marinara - Top with marinara, then mozzarella cheese and return to the oven for another 5 minutes, or until cheese has melted. Add fresh basil and serve!
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Tips:
- Chicken - swap for boneless chicken thighs or white fish
- Marinara - swap for pesto or brushetta (do not cook the bruschetta, just add it to serve)
- mozzarella - swap for monterey jack, havarti, gouda, or your favorite cheese
- basil - swap for thai basil or any other type of fresh basil; chervil is an alternative herb that might work in place
Storage + Reheating Baked chicken parmesan is best served fresh, as the breading loses its crispy texture as it is stored. With that being said, it's safe to store and reheat:
- if you plan to reheat later, do not add marinara and mozzarella
- store in an air tight container for up to 4 days
- re-heat on a baking sheet for 5 minutes at 350°F
- then add the marinara and cheese and bake for another 5 or so minutes until the cheese is melted.
Video
Nutrition Information
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Dianne says
Only one recipe came up-thought the other 58 would as well
Jasmine @ Sweet Peas & Saffron says
Hi Dianne, would love to help you find what you're looking for - were you looking for one of our meal prep round-up posts?
Alisha Ross says
Looks delicious ! I was wondering if you could post recipes for school lunches? I’m trying to eat healthier while trying to balance out homework and exercise and I would like some simple, quick and healthy lunch recipes. Thanks 🙂
Denise says
Hi Alisha! I have quite a few lunch recipes on this site. Are you looking for grown up or kid lunches? I am definitely still learning about kid lunches (my kid is so picky!). Here are some popular lunch recipes: https://sweetpeasandsaffron.com/19-healthy-lunch-meal-prep-ideas/
Jamille says
I've tried this and my family really enjoyed this recipe. Thank you so much for sharing. This is really great!!!
Denise says
Hi Jamille! I'm so happy to hear this. Thank you so much for coming back to leave a review 🙂
L says
Simple and great! I served t over zucchini noodles.
Denise says
Awesome! So happy to hear this! Thank you for taking the time to come back and leave a review.
Kahee says
This is the perfect baked chicken parm recipe — thank you for sharing!!
Denise says
I'm so happy you enjoyed, Kahee! Thanks for your review 🙂
Lynn says
These were great! I was going to grill my chicken breasts and then it poured so I had to fine something quick and these did the trick. Thanks for all the great recipes! I'm a new fan!
Denise says
I'm so glad you enjoyed them! Thanks so much for the review, Lynn 🙂
Claire says
Just found your blog Andy love recipes so far!,,
Claire says
*and I
Denise says
Thank you so much Claire!