The best baked Chicken Parmesan recipe, made lighter by skipping the frying! These oven-baked, breaded chicken cutlets are incredibly moist, flavorful, and perfect for a healthier twist on a classic favorite.
Chicken Parmesan
If you want to know how to make an easy chicken parmesan that doesn’t require deep frying, you came to the right place! This easy chicken dinner is delicious and healthy, the whole family will love it! It’s breaded and baked in the oven, then topped with my homemade marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese. Serve it over pasta, zucchini noodles, roasted veggies or with a large salad to keep it on the lighter side. For an air fryer version check out my air fryer chicken parmesan recipe.
Why This Chicken Parmesan Recipe Works
I love making Chicken Parmesan in the oven because it uses less oil, and makes less of a mess than frying! My husband Tommy loves this recipe, it’s a fan favorite and also shared in my first cookbook The Skinnytaste Cookbook!
- Healthier than frying
- Less mess
- Easy for weeknight cooking
- My family loves it!
Hope you enjoy it as much as we do!
What You’ll Need
Here’s what you need to make the best Baked Chicken Parmesan. See recipe card below for exact measurements:
- Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast – I always use organic, it has the best texture
- Seasoned Breadcrumbs – I like the brand 4C. You can also use Gluten-free breadcrumbs
- Cheese: Grated Parmesan Cheese or Romano Cheese and Part-Skim Mozzarella Cheese
- Melted Butter or Olive Oil
- Marinara Sauce or Filetto di Pomodoro
How to Make Baked Chicken Parmesan
Heat the oven to 450°F, this will create crispy crumbs with a juicy center.
Cutting the chicken in half lengthwise speeds up the cook time and tastes better than if you leave it whole. This thinner breast takes about 25 minutes to cook.
Rather than using an egg wash in my breading station, I brush some melted butter (or olive oil) onto the chicken before the bread crumbs. This helps the bread crumbs get extra crisp without frying for a healthier baked chicken parmesan that is so good, no one will know it’s lighter.
Then place the breadcrumbs in a shallow bowl and coat completely, pressing to stick.
Bake in a pre-heated 450F oven 25 minutes, until golden brown. Remove from the oven, then spoon the tomato sauce over each piece and top with shredded mozzarella cheese. Bake 5 more minutes or until cheese is melted and bubbling. Garnish with fresh basil leaves or parsley and enjoy!!
What to Serve With Chicken Parmesan:
- Serve it over pasta and a big green salad.
- Make it a Chicken Parmesan Sandwich and serve it on a roll.
- To keep it lower in carbs, serve it with this sime Roasted Spaghetti Squash recipe
- Looking for an easy veggie, try it with this Easy Garlic Broccolini
- Broccoli and Orzo would make a great kid-friendly side dish
- Try it with a side of Roasted Tossed Mushrooms
More Chicken Recipes You May Like:
- Southwest Chicken Skillet
- Chicken Rollatini
- Braised Chicken with Tomatoes and Rosemary
- Chicken Enchiladas
- Roast Chicken with Rosemary and Lemon
Baked Chicken Parmesan Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, about 8 oz each, sliced in half lengthwise to make 8
- 3/4 cup seasoned breadcrumbs, such as 4C, you can also use GF crumbs
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, or Romano cheese
- 2 tbsp butter, melted, or olive oil
- 3/4 cup part-skim mozzarella cheese, I like Polly-o
- 1 cup marinara sauce, or Filetto di Pomodoro
- cooking spray
- basil, or parsley, optional for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 450°F. Spray a large baking sheet lightly with spray.
- Combine breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese in a bowl. Melt the butter in another bowl. Lightly brush the butter onto the chicken, then dip into breadcrumb mixture. Place on baking sheet and repeat with the remaining chicken.
- Lightly spray a little more oil on top and bake in the oven for 25 minutes.
- Remove from oven, spoon 1 tablespoon marinara sauce over each piece of chicken and top each with 1 1/2 tbsp of shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Bake 5 more minutes or until cheese is melted.
