Baked Chicken Parmesan

Prep: 20 mins

Cook: 25 mins

Servings: 4

Category: Dinner

Ingredients

  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (pounded thin if they’re thick)
  • 1 cup breadcrumbs (panko makes it extra crispy!)
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan (the real deal, please)
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 large egg, beaten
  • 1 cup marinara sauce (store-bought or homemade—your call)
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella (more if you’re cheesy like me)
  • Optional: fresh basil (for that Italian flair)

Nutrition (per serving)

Calories: 420
Total Fat: 16g
Cholesterol: 135mg
Carbohydrates: 25g
Sugars: 4g
Protein: 42g

Instructions

  1. Let’s make some Italian magic! Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment or give it a quick spray—keeps things easy.
  2. Set up your breading station: mix the breadcrumbs, Parmesan, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper in one bowl. Beat the egg in another. It’s like a little assembly line—fun, right?
  3. Dip each chicken breast in the egg, then coat it in the breadcrumb mix. Press it on good so it sticks—crispy is the name of the game! Lay them on the baking sheet.
  4. Pop the chicken in the oven and bake for 20 minutes. You’ll hear it sizzling, and the smell—oh man, it’s gonna get you hungry!
  5. Pull the chicken out and spoon some marinara sauce over each piece—don’t drown it, just a nice cozy blanket of sauce. Then pile on that mozzarella—go as heavy as your heart says!
  6. Back in the oven it goes for another 5-7 minutes, until the cheese is melty and bubbly. If you’ve got a broiler, a quick zap (like 1-2 minutes) will make it golden—chef’s kiss!
  7. Sprinkle some fresh basil on top if you’ve got it—looks fancy and tastes even better. Serve it hot with spaghetti, a big salad, or just dig in with a fork. This is comfort food at its finest—enjoy every gooey bite!