Crispy Baked Chicken Parmesan Recipe Easy Homemade Melty Mozzarella
A quick and easy baked chicken parmesan recipe featuring a crispy panko and Parmesan crust topped with melty fresh mozzarella, perfect for a comforting weeknight meal without the mess of frying.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 22 minutes
- Total Time: 37 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, pounded to about 1/2 inch thickness
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs, beaten with 1 tablespoon water
- 1 1/2 cups panko breadcrumbs (Japanese-style preferred)
- 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Olive oil spray or light drizzle
- About 2/3 cup marinara sauce (1/3 cup per chicken breast)
- 4 to 6 slices fresh mozzarella cheese (2 to 3 slices per chicken breast)
- Fresh basil leaves (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and place a wire rack on top.
- Pound chicken breasts to an even 1/2 inch thickness and pat dry with paper towels.
- Set up dredging stations: flour in one bowl, beaten eggs with water in second, and breadcrumb mixture (panko, Parmesan, garlic powder, oregano, salt, pepper) in third.
- Coat each chicken breast in flour, shaking off excess, then dip in egg wash, and finally press into breadcrumb mixture to coat evenly.
- Place coated chicken breasts on wire rack on baking sheet. Lightly spray or drizzle olive oil on top.
- Bake for 15 minutes until golden and crisp. Turn on broiler for last 2 minutes for extra crunch, watching carefully to avoid burning.
- Remove from oven. Spoon about 1/3 cup marinara sauce over each chicken breast, then top with 2 to 3 slices of fresh mozzarella.
- Return to oven and bake for another 5 to 7 minutes until mozzarella is melted and bubbly with slightly golden edges. Chicken internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C).
- Garnish with fresh basil leaves before serving.
Notes
Use a wire rack to keep the crust crispy by allowing air circulation. Lightly spray olive oil on the coating to promote browning. If mozzarella isn’t melting quickly, broil for 30 seconds to 1 minute but watch closely to avoid burning. For gluten-free, substitute panko with gluten-free breadcrumbs or crushed cornflakes. For dairy-free, use plant-based mozzarella and nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan. Let chicken rest a few minutes after baking to let juices settle and cheese firm up.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast wit
- Calories: 450
- Fat: 18
- Carbohydrates: 20
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 45
Keywords: chicken parmesan, baked chicken parmesan, crispy chicken, melty mozzarella, easy chicken recipe, weeknight dinner, Italian comfort food