OVEN BAKED CHICKEN PARMESAN

 

Oven Baked Chicken Parmesan

This delicious Oven Baked Chicken Parmesan recipe is easy and doesn’t require any frying. Because this chicken Parmesan is baked, it is healthy, quick, and easy! Make this crispy baked Parmesan crusted chicken for dinner tonight in about thirty minutes!

BAKED INSTEAD OF FRIED!

I always think of Chicken Parmesan as being a complicated and labor-intensive recipe – but I recently discovered that Oven Baked Chicken Parmesan is not only easy but quick enough for a weeknight dinner!

This is a great chicken breast recipe – cutting the chicken breasts in half lengthwise and then pounding them slightly to make them even thickness will help them cook quickly and really helps you achieve more of a restaurant-quality taste.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 chicken breasts (about 1 pound of chicken total)
• 1 egg
• 1 cup panko bread crumbs
• 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese (fresh grated)
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 cup marinara sauce
• 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella
• 2 tablespoons minced parsley (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

1. Line a baking sheet with foil and brush the foil with olive oil. Adjust the oven rack to the second position from the top. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Cut the chicken breasts in half lengthwise and pound to even thickness: Cut through the middle of the chicken breast as if you are going to butterfly it, but cut all the way through to make two equal-sized pieces. Place them in a gallon-sized zip-top bag in an even layer, seal it, then pound them to an even thickness using a meat pounder or a rolling pin. You can also place the chicken breasts between two layers of cling wrap instead of a zip-top bag if you prefer.
3. Pat the chicken breasts dry with a paper towel, then season with salt and pepper.
4. In one shallow dish, mix together panko bread crumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, garlic powder, oregano, and black pepper.
5. In another shallow dish, whisk the egg.
6. Dip each chicken breast into the egg, then into the bread crumb mixture. Ensure the chicken is fully coated in the crumb mixture, and gently press with your hand to help the crumbs stick. Place the chicken breasts on the prepared baking sheet and repeat with the remaining pieces.
7. Place the baking sheet in the oven on the second from the top rack. Bake for 15 minutes, or until cooked through.
8. Flip the chicken, pour 1/4 cup of marinara sauce over each piece of chicken, then top with shredded mozzarella cheese. Place back in the oven. Turn on the broiler and broil for 2-4 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the edges of the chicken are browning.

Enjoy your delicious Oven Baked Chicken Parmesan!