Baked Chicken Parmesan
A comforting dinner featuring crispy chicken breasts coated with savory breadcrumbs, topped with marinara sauce and melted mozzarella.
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 4 pieces boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons olive oil for coating
For the Coating
- 1 cup breadcrumbs preferably Panko
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- to taste Salt and pepper
For the Sauce and Topping
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
- In a bowl, mix breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir until the seasonings and cheese are evenly distributed.
Coating the Chicken
- Dip each chicken breast in olive oil, then coat with the breadcrumb mixture, turning to ensure even coverage.
- Place the coated chicken breasts on a baking sheet, arranging them in a single layer with space in between.
Baking
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, until cooked through and golden.
- Remove from the oven and spoon marinara sauce over each piece of chicken. Spread the sauce evenly without disturbing the crisp coating.
- Top with shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Return to the oven and bake for an additional 5-10 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Serving
- Serve hot, garnished with fresh basil if desired.
Notes
To maintain crispiness, spoon marinara sauce only after the first bake. Reheat leftovers in the oven for best texture.