Name: Baked Chicken Parmesan – A Classic Twist on Chicken Recipes
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Ingredients: 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts; 1 egg; 1 tablespoon water; 1/2 cup breadcrumbs; 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese; 1 teaspoon garlic powder; 1 teaspoon onion powder; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/4 teaspoon pepper; 1 cup marinara sauce; 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese; Olive oil spray; Fresh basil for garnish (optional)

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There’s something about a crispy, golden chicken cutlet that just feels like a warm hug on a busy night. When I say this baked chicken parmesan has become a weeknight favorite in our house, I’m not kidding. It gives you that satisfying crunch without deep-frying anything, and trust me, your kitchen won’t end up smelling like a fast food joint. I’ve tweaked this version to keep things light and simple. You get the same gooey cheese and rich tomato sauce, but with fewer dishes to wash and none of the guilt. That’s a rare combo, right? If you’re into clean eating chicken recipes or just craving something familiar with a healthier spin, you’ll want to bookmark this one. This chicken parmesan recipe healthy enough for meal prep but cozy enough for Sunday dinner hits all the right notes. We’re talking healthy clean eating, straight-from-the-oven crunch, and layers of comfort that don’t weigh you down. Whether you’re searching for recipes healthy clean eating or testing a new favorite from your list of clean eating chicken recipes, this one fits the bill without trying too hard.

1) Key Takeaways
2) Easy Baked Chicken Parmesan Recipe
3) Ingredients for Baked Chicken Parmesan
4) How to Make Baked Chicken Parmesan
5) Tips for Making Baked Chicken Parmesan
6) Making Baked Chicken Parmesan Ahead of Time
7) Storing Leftover Baked Chicken Parmesan
8) Try these Main Course recipes next!
9) Baked Chicken Parmesan Recipe
10) Nutrition

1) Key Takeaways

This baked chicken parmesan skips the frying but keeps the crisp.
Perfect for weeknight dinners when time and energy are short.
All the comforting flavors of traditional chicken parmesan, made lighter.
Prep it ahead, and the oven does most of the heavy lifting.

2) Easy Baked Chicken Parmesan Recipe

This baked chicken parmesan recipe checks every box. It’s quick, it’s hearty, and it delivers that classic Italian comfort without deep frying. We keep the crisp by baking the breaded chicken at a high heat. No need for messy oil or stovetop juggling. Just a sheet pan and an oven.

The texture’s what grabs me. The edges crunch, the center stays juicy, and once you top that with marinara and bubbling mozzarella, you’re not going to want to share. Trust me, I’ve tried. Pair it with a green salad or tuck it inside a crusty roll for a chicken parm sandwich that doesn’t wreck your clean eating streak.

I’ve been tinkering with this recipe for a while. The trick, I found, is to keep things simple. Don’t overload the breading. Let the cheese melt naturally. And for the love of food, don’t skip the parmesan in the crust. That nutty sharp bite? It’s everything. These are the kinds of chicken recipes I come back to again and again.

3) Ingredients for Baked Chicken Parmesan

Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts
Choose chicken breasts that are uniform in size, so they bake evenly. If they’re thick, you can slice them in half or pound them out.

Egg
This helps the breadcrumb mixture stick to the chicken. Just one large egg does the trick here.

Water
A tablespoon helps loosen the egg a bit and makes the coating process smoother.

Breadcrumbs
Use plain or whole wheat. These create that golden, crisp coating we all love on chicken parmesan.

Parmesan Cheese
Grated parmesan adds a salty richness to the breading. It crisps up beautifully in the oven.

Garlic Powder
This adds warmth and depth without chopping cloves. A little goes a long way.

Onion Powder
Just a dash boosts flavor and balances the garlic perfectly.

Salt
Season each step for maximum flavor. The salt enhances everything from the crust to the sauce.

Pepper
Fresh ground is ideal, but pre-ground works too. Adds subtle bite to the breading.

Marinara Sauce
Go for a good-quality jarred sauce or use homemade. A thick, robust one clings best.

Mozzarella Cheese
Shredded mozzarella melts and browns just enough in the oven. Use part-skim for a lighter option.

Olive Oil Spray
Helps the breading crisp up in the oven without added greasiness. Don’t skip this.

Fresh Basil
Optional, but if you’ve got some on hand, it adds a pop of color and fresh aroma to the final dish.

4) How to Make Baked Chicken Parmesan

Step 1. Preheat your oven to 425°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This helps the chicken cook evenly and cleanup stay easy.

Step 2. Pound your chicken breasts to an even thickness. This makes sure each piece cooks through at the same rate and stays juicy.

Step 3. In one shallow bowl, whisk together the egg and water. In another, stir the breadcrumbs, parmesan, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.

Step 4. Dip each chicken breast in the egg wash first, then press it into the breadcrumb mix until fully coated. Pat it down so the coating sticks well.

Step 5. Lay the chicken on the prepared baking sheet and give it a light spray with olive oil. That oil mist helps the crust crisp without frying.

Step 6. Bake for 20 minutes, flip the pieces, and return them to the oven for 5 to 10 minutes more until golden and cooked through.

Step 7. Spoon marinara sauce over the top, sprinkle with mozzarella, and return to the oven for a final 3 to 5 minutes to let the cheese melt.

5) Tips for Making Baked Chicken Parmesan

For an even coating, press the breadcrumbs into the chicken with your hands. Don’t just toss it around in the bowl. You want that golden crust to stay put during baking.

Using a wire rack on your baking sheet helps heat circulate under the chicken, which keeps the bottom from getting soggy. If you don’t have one, parchment works just fine too.

If you’re going for clean eating chicken recipes, you can swap traditional breadcrumbs for whole wheat or almond flour. I’ve tried both. The almond flour version crisps up more than you’d think and fits right into healthy clean eating routines.

6) Making Baked Chicken Parmesan Ahead of Time

This recipe makes weeknight meals easy when you prep in advance. Bread the chicken and store it in the fridge on a tray. When you’re ready, pop it in the oven. No fuss.

You can even bake the chicken fully and reheat it later. Just don’t add the sauce and cheese until the final few minutes of reheating so everything stays fresh and gooey.

I often make a batch for meal prep. It keeps well and turns into lunch the next day. Sometimes I’ll chop it up for a salad or serve it over roasted veggies when I’m leaning toward recipe healthy clean eating.

7) Storing Leftover Baked Chicken Parmesan

Leftovers store great in the fridge for up to four days. I usually put each portion in a container with a little extra marinara on the side to keep things saucy.

Reheat in the oven or air fryer to bring back the crisp texture. The microwave works too but may soften the crust more than you’d like.

This dish is one of those healthy chicken parmesan recipe options that actually holds up well as leftovers. It’s just as good for lunch the next day as it was fresh from the oven.

8) Try these Main Course recipes next!

9) Baked Chicken Parmesan Recipe