Make Quick Baked Chicken Parmesan Tonight

Adam

Make Quick Baked Chicken Parmesan Tonight

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.

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Prep Time 10

Cook Time 25

Total Time 35

Servings: 6 servings

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

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

Equipment

Baking sheet
Oven-safe skillet or casserole dish
Three shallow bowls
Measuring cups & spoons
Cutting board
Sharp knife
Tongs
Parchment paper (optional)

Method

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.

Notes

🧊 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.