🎉 Introduction
When you’re craving the comfort of classic Italian flavors but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen, this Quick Baked Chicken Parmesan delivers everything you love—crispy golden chicken, rich marinara sauce, melty mozzarella cheese, and the perfect blend of herbs—in just a fraction of the time. This baked version is healthier, easier, and far less messy than frying, yet still incredibly juicy and full of old-school Italian flavor.
Every bite brings together the perfect combination of textures and tastes: crunchy panko coating on the outside, tender chicken on the inside, and a cheesy, saucy topping that feels like a warm hug after a long day. The blend of dried basil, oregano, onion powder, garlic powder, and Parmesan infuses the chicken with a deep Italian flavor that tastes better than takeout.
Whether you’re cooking for your family, hosting friends, or simply satisfying a comfort-food craving after a busy day, this recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Easy steps, simple ingredients, and results that taste like a restaurant-quality meal—this Baked Chicken Parmesan is the weeknight hero you need.
🧰 Equipment Needed
- Baking sheet
- Oven-safe skillet or casserole dish
- Three shallow bowls
- Measuring cups & spoons
- Cutting board
- Sharp knife
- Tongs
- Parchment paper (optional)
🛒 Ingredients
Chicken
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
Dry Seasonings
- ½ tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ¼ tsp onion powder
- Salt & freshly ground black pepper
Fresh Herbs
- Fresh basil or parsley (for garnish)
Eggs
- 2 large eggs
Coating
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ cups panko breadcrumbs
Sauce
- 1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce
Oil
- ¼ cup olive oil
Cheese
- 8 oz fresh mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
👩🍳 Directions
Step 1: Prep the Chicken
Place the chicken breasts on a cutting board.
For even cooking:
Slice each breast horizontally to create 8 thin cutlets.
Alternatively, pound chicken to ½-inch thickness.
Pat dry and season both sides generously with:
- Salt
- Pepper
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Basil
- Oregano
Step 2: Prepare the Breading Station
Set up 3 shallow bowls:
1️⃣ Bowl 1: Flour
2️⃣ Bowl 2: Beaten eggs
3️⃣ Bowl 3: Panko breadcrumbs + grated Parmesan
This creates the perfect golden, crispy coating.
Step 3: Bread the Chicken
Coat each chicken cutlet:
- Dredge in flour
- Dip in eggs
- Press into panko-Parmesan mixture
Press firmly to help the coating stick.
Step 4: Sear for Ultimate Crispiness
Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high.
Sear chicken for 2–3 minutes per side, until lightly golden.
(This step gives baked chicken the flavor of fried chicken with less oil.)
Step 5: Bake
Transfer the seared chicken to a baking sheet or casserole dish.
Bake at 425°F (220°C) for 12–15 minutes until:
- Coating is crispy
- Chicken reaches 165°F (75°C) internally
Step 6: Add the Sauce & Cheese
Spoon marinara sauce over the chicken.
Top each piece with:
- Slices of fresh mozzarella
- Additional Parmesan
Step 7: Melt & Brown
Return to the oven and bake 5–7 more minutes, or until cheese is:
- Melted
- Bubbly
- Lightly golden around the edges
Broil for the final 1 minute for extra browning.
Step 8: Serve
Top with fresh basil or parsley.
Serve hot over pasta, rice, roasted vegetables, or a simple green salad.
🍽️ Servings & Timing
- Servings: 4–6
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
Fast, delicious, and perfect for weeknights!
🧊 Storage & Reheating
Refrigerator
Store up to 3–4 days.
Freezer
Freeze cooked chicken (without cheese) up to 2 months.
Reheating
- Oven: 10 minutes at 350°F
- Air fryer: 5 minutes at 350°F
- Microwave: Not ideal—may soften coating
🥄 Variations
1. Extra Crispy Version
Use a mix of panko + crushed cornflakes.
2. Spicy Chicken Parm
Add red pepper flakes to the coating.
3. Low-Carb Version
Use almond flour + pork-free low-carb breadcrumbs.
4. Cheesy-Stuffed Chicken Parm
Add mozzarella inside the chicken before breading.
5. Skillet Chicken Parm
Cook entirely in a cast-iron skillet.
6. Chicken Parm Bites
Cut chicken into nuggets before breading.
7. Gluten-Free Version
Use gluten-free panko and flour.
❓ 10 FAQs
1. Can I skip searing the chicken?
Yes, but searing creates a much crispier crust.
2. Can I use chicken thighs?
Yes—boneless thighs work perfectly.
3. Is it okay to use shredded mozzarella?
Yes, but fresh mozzarella melts better.
4. How do I keep the breading from falling off?
Pat chicken dry and press breadcrumbs firmly.
5. Can I meal prep this?
Absolutely—reheat in the oven for best texture.
6. Why is my chicken soggy?
Use a hot oven and add sauce only after baking.
7. Can I make it dairy-free?
Use dairy-free mozzarella and skip Parmesan.
8. What pasta pairs well?
Spaghetti, penne, linguine, or orzo.
9. Can I air fry instead?
Yes — 375°F for 15 minutes, then add sauce & cheese.
10. Can I add vegetables?
Bell peppers, spinach, or roasted broccoli pair perfectly.
🏁 Conclusion
This Quick Baked Chicken Parmesan gives you all the rich, satisfying flavors of the Italian classic with a lighter, faster, and easier method that’s perfect for busy nights. Each bite combines crispy chicken, aromatic herbs, savory marinara, and gooey melted mozzarella — an irresistible harmony of taste and texture.
With simple ingredients, fast prep, and foolproof steps, this recipe brings restaurant-quality comfort food straight to your dinner table. Whether you’re feeding family, hosting guests, or treating yourself to a cozy meal, this baked version is guaranteed to impress.
Warm, cheesy, crispy, comforting — everything Chicken Parm should be.
Make Quick Baked Chicken Parmesan Tonight
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Ingredients
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Discover more than 1700+ delicious recipes you can cook at home. Easy, step-by-step instructions with new recipes added every day.
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Equipment
Method
- Place the chicken breasts on a cutting board.
- For even cooking:
- Slice each breast horizontally to create 8 thin cutlets.
- Alternatively, pound chicken to ½-inch thickness.
- Pat dry and season both sides generously with:
- Salt
- Pepper
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Basil
- Oregano
- Set up 3 shallow bowls:
- 1️⃣ Bowl 1: Flour
- 2️⃣ Bowl 2: Beaten eggs
- 3️⃣ Bowl 3: Panko breadcrumbs + grated Parmesan
- This creates the perfect golden, crispy coating.
- Coat each chicken cutlet:
- Dredge in flour
- Dip in eggs
- Press into panko-Parmesan mixture
- Press firmly to help the coating stick.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high.
- Sear chicken for 2–3 minutes per side, until lightly golden.
- (This step gives baked chicken the flavor of fried chicken with less oil.)
- Transfer the seared chicken to a baking sheet or casserole dish.
- Bake at 425°F (220°C) for 12–15 minutes until:
- Coating is crispy
- Chicken reaches 165°F (75°C) internally
- Spoon marinara sauce over the chicken.
- Top each piece with:
- Slices of fresh mozzarella
- Additional Parmesan
- Return to the oven and bake 5–7 more minutes, or until cheese is:
- Melted
- Bubbly
- Lightly golden around the edges
- Broil for the final 1 minute for extra browning.
- Top with fresh basil or parsley.
- Serve hot over pasta, rice, roasted vegetables, or a simple green salad.
Notes
Refrigerator Store up to 3–4 days. Freezer Freeze cooked chicken (without cheese) up to 2 months. Reheating Oven: 10 minutes at 350°F Air fryer: 5 minutes at 350°F Microwave: Not ideal—may soften coating 🥄 Variations
1. Extra Crispy Version Use a mix of panko + crushed cornflakes. 2. Spicy Chicken Parm Add red pepper flakes to the coating. 3. Low-Carb Version Use almond flour + pork-free low-carb breadcrumbs. 4. Cheesy-Stuffed Chicken Parm Add mozzarella inside the chicken before breading. 5. Skillet Chicken Parm Cook entirely in a cast-iron skillet. 6. Chicken Parm Bites Cut chicken into nuggets before breading. 7. Gluten-Free Version Use gluten-free panko and flour. ❓ 10 FAQs
1. Can I skip searing the chicken? Yes, but searing creates a much crispier crust. 2. Can I use chicken thighs? Yes—boneless thighs work perfectly. 3. Is it okay to use shredded mozzarella? Yes, but fresh mozzarella melts better. 4. How do I keep the breading from falling off? Pat chicken dry and press breadcrumbs firmly. 5. Can I meal prep this? Absolutely—reheat in the oven for best texture. 6. Why is my chicken soggy? Use a hot oven and add sauce only after baking. 7. Can I make it dairy-free? Use dairy-free mozzarella and skip Parmesan. 8. What pasta pairs well? Spaghetti, penne, linguine, or orzo. 9. Can I air fry instead? Yes — 375°F for 15 minutes, then add sauce & cheese. 10. Can I add vegetables? Bell peppers, spinach, or roasted broccoli pair perfectly. 🏁 Conclusion This Quick Baked Chicken Parmesan gives you all the rich, satisfying flavors of the Italian classic with a lighter, faster, and easier method that’s perfect for busy nights. Each bite combines crispy chicken, aromatic herbs, savory marinara, and gooey melted mozzarella — an irresistible harmony of taste and texture. With simple ingredients, fast prep, and foolproof steps, this recipe brings restaurant-quality comfort food straight to your dinner table. Whether you’re feeding family, hosting guests, or treating yourself to a cozy meal, this baked version is guaranteed to impress. Warm, cheesy, crispy, comforting — everything Chicken Parm should be.
