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Crispy Parmesan Baked Chicken Breast – Best Easy Oven Recipe

crispy parmesan baked chicken breast - featured image

This crispy parmesan baked chicken breast is golden, shatter-crisp on the outside, and juicy inside. Made with simple ingredients and ready in 35 minutes, it’s the perfect easy weeknight dinner that even picky eaters love.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 68 ounces each)
  • 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese (freshly grated)
  • 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 tablespoon water
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Place a wire rack on a rimmed baking sheet and spray it lightly with cooking spray.
  2. Place each chicken breast between two sheets of plastic wrap and pound to an even thickness of about 1/2 inch. Season both sides lightly with salt and pepper.
  3. Set up your breading station. In the first shallow bowl, add 1/2 cup all-purpose flour. In the second bowl, whisk together 2 large eggs with 1 tablespoon water until well combined. In the third bowl, combine 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1/2 teaspoon paprika, 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Mix everything together with a fork until evenly distributed.
  4. Working with one piece at a time, dredge the chicken in the flour, shaking off any excess. Then dip it into the egg mixture, letting any extra drip off. Finally, press it into the parmesan-panko mixture, making sure both sides are well coated.
  5. Transfer the breaded chicken to the wire rack on your baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining pieces, spacing them about 1 inch apart.
  6. Lightly drizzle or spray the tops of the chicken with olive oil.
  7. Bake for 20-25 minutes, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and the crust is golden brown and crispy.
  8. Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest on the rack for 5 minutes.
  9. Sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley if desired, and serve immediately.

Notes

Don’t skip the flour step—it helps the breading stick. Let the breaded chicken rest for 5 minutes before baking to set the coating. Use an instant-read thermometer for perfectly cooked chicken. If the crust isn’t browning enough, switch to broil for the last 1-2 minutes.

Nutrition

Keywords: crispy parmesan chicken, baked chicken breast, easy oven recipe, weeknight dinner, healthy chicken recipe