This post may contain affiliate links. Please see our disclosure policy.
If you love classic Chicken Parmesan, say hello to your new favorite chicken recipe! This Baked Chicken Parmesan recipe delivers a significantly lightened up version of the classic that is still every bit as delicious!
Looking for more easy chicken recipes? Try out Baked Pesto Chicken, Chicken and Green Beans Skillet, Marry Me Chicken, and Baked Chicken Cordon Bleu.
Crispy Baked Chicken Parmesan
Would you believe it if I told you that you can have a lightened-up version of one of your favorite dishes on the table in under 30 minutes without sacrificing any flavor?!
It sounds too good to be true, but I promise you its not!
With this recipe for Baked Chicken Parmesan, you can enjoy juicy, crispy breaded chicken that mimics the pan-fried texture without the excess grease! Finished by being smothered with sauce and melty cheese, Baked Chicken Parmesan is the ultimate comfort food.
Happy Cooking! xo Kristen
How to Make Baked Chicken Parmesan
The following tips are provided to help you achieve perfect results. You will find the ingredient quantities and detailed instructions in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Prepare Chicken Cutlets
You can opt to purchase thinly sliced chicken breasts, typically labeled as chicken cutlets, or you can save yourself some money and use boneless, skinless chicken breasts. To prepare chicken cutlets from chicken breasts, cut each breast in half crosswise and then place each chicken cutlet in between two pieces of plastic wrap and pound lightly with a meat mallet until they are about ½-inch thick.
Use a Three-Step Breading Process
Just like my recipes for Fish Sticks and Chicken Tenders, this recipe for chicken parmesan uses a 3-step breading process. This ensures that the panko parmesan breading adheres to the chicken. Working with one cutlet at a time, dredge the seasoned chicken in flour to coat, shaking off excess. Dip in egg, coating both sides, let excess drip off, then press into bread crumbs, using your hands to ensure the chicken cutlet is evenly coated.
Bake Breaded Chicken
To achieve the crispy, lightest Baked Chicken Parmesan, the pan you use is crucial. Using a rack placed on top of a rimmed sheet pan will allow the heat to circulate evenly around the chicken, resulting in crispy baked chicken parmesan.
Finish with Sauce and Cheese
Once the chicken is golden brown, add the chicken to a baking dish. Top each chicken breast with a couple of tablespoons of your favorite spaghetti sauce and 1 slice of fresh mozzarella or shredded mozzarella. Return to the oven and bake until the cheese is browned and melted.
Serving Suggestions
Chicken Parmesan is classically served with a side of pasta and additional spaghetti sauce. I love adding a side of Homemade Garlic Toast or Italian Breadsticks along with a Homemade Caesar Salad or Olive Garden Salad for one outrageously delicious meal.
Recipe Modifications
- Gluten-Free Option: Use an all-purpose gluten-free flour blend and gluten-free panko bread crumbs to keep this recipe gluten-free.
- Egg-Free Option: If you have an egg allergy, you can use milk or almond milk in place of the eggs. It will help the breadcrumbs adhere to the chicken but does not work quite as well as eggs do.
- Using an Air Fryer: If you are wanting to make Chicken Parmesan without turning on the oven, follow my recipe for Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan.
More Favorite Italian-American Recipes
Baked Chicken Parmesan
Video
Ingredients
- 6 chicken cutlets
- kosher salt and pepper, to taste
- ½ cup all purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon oregano, for flour mixture
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder, for flour mixture
- 1 cup Panko breadcrumbs
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder, for breading
- 1 teaspoon oregano, for breading
- ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup marinara or spaghetti sauce
- 8 thin slices fresh mozzarella cheese, or ½ cup shredded Mozzarella Cheese
- cooking spray
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425℉ (220℃). Place a baking rack on top of a rimmed baking sheet. Lightly spray with olive oil.
- Place the chicken cutlets in between two pieces of plastic wrap and pound lightly with a meat mallet to ensure the cutlets are even in size. Season each side of the chicken with salt and pepper.
- Set up three shallow dishes. In the first dish, mix ½ cup all purpose flour with 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon oregano, and 1 teaspoon garlic powder. In the second dish, whisk together 2 large eggs with 1 tablespoon of water and ½ teaspoon of salt. In the third dish, mix together 1 cup Panko breadcrumbs, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon oregano, ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese, and a pinch of salt.
- Dredge the chicken in the flour mixture, shaking off excess. Then dip in the egg mixture, shaking off excess. Finally, evenly coat the chicken with breadcrumb mixture, gently pressing the mixture into the chicken to coat. Repeat the process with each chicken cutlet.
- Place the breaded chicken on the prepared pan. Lightly spray the cutlets with olive oil cooking spray. Bake the chicken for 10 minutes.
- Remove the baked chicken from the oven and place the breaded chicken into a 9x13 pan baking dish. Top each chicken breast with 1-2 tablespoons of spaghetti sauce and 1 slice of fresh mozzarella.
- Return to oven and bake for 5-8 more minutes, or until cheese is browned and melted. Allow to cool slightly and then serve immediately for best results.
Equipment
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Chicken parmesan has been one of my favorite things to order when we go out to eat, and now I can make it at home! This is so delicious!
I am so happy you found this recipe and enjoyed Aimee! Thanks for sharing!
I made this recipe today for the second time and it turned out amazing. Should be a good one to cook when you are having people over.
Thank you.
I love hearing how much you enjoy Andreina! I agree, this is company worthy!
I love Chicken Parmesan too and yours looks super delicious! I like the idea of baking the chicken instead of frying and I agree that the panko crumbs are the way to go. I'm going to try this next time I plan to serve chicken parm.
I love how flavorful this easy recipe is! So good!
So glad you enjoyed!