Baked Chicken Parmesan Recipe
This classic Chicken Parmesan recipe features tender, breaded chicken cutlets baked to golden perfection and topped with marinara sauce and melted mozzarella cheese. It combines Italian-inspired flavors with whole wheat ingredients for a healthier twist on a favorite comfort food, perfect for a family dinner or special occasion.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 32 minutes
- Total Time: 52 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 3 large breasts or 6 cutlets)
Breading
- ½ cup whole wheat flour
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup whole wheat bread crumbs (unseasoned)
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 teaspoons dried basil
- 2 teaspoons dried parsley
Toppings
- 1.5 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1.5 cups marinara sauce
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Butterfly each chicken breast by slicing it in half lengthwise to create thinner cutlets. Place the cutlets between plastic wrap and pound them using a meat tenderizer until they are about ¼ inch thick. This ensures even cooking and tenderness.
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and for easy cleanup.
- Set Up Breading Stations: Arrange three shallow bowls: one with whole wheat flour, the second with whisked eggs, and the third with a mixture of whole wheat bread crumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, black pepper, dried basil, and dried parsley.
- Bread the Chicken: Coat each chicken cutlet first in flour, then dip into the beaten eggs, and finally coat thoroughly with the bread crumb mixture. Press gently to ensure the coating sticks well. Repeat for all cutlets.
- Bake the Cutlets: Place the breaded cutlets evenly spaced on the prepared baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes, then flip each cutlet and bake for another 15 minutes until cooked through and golden brown.
- Add Sauce and Cheese: After 30 minutes of baking, remove the baking sheet from the oven and spoon about ¼ cup of marinara sauce on each cutlet. Sprinkle about ¼ cup shredded mozzarella cheese on top of the sauce.
- Broil to Melt Cheese: Return the baking sheet to the oven, set it to broil, and broil the cutlets for about 2 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and melted, keeping a close eye to avoid burning.
- Serve: Serve the Chicken Parmesan hot over pasta or with a side salad for a complete meal.
Notes
- Butterflying and pounding the chicken thinly ensures quick and even cooking.
- Use parchment paper on the baking sheet for easy cleanup and to prevent sticking.
- You can use your favorite marinara sauce, homemade or store-bought.
- Watch carefully during broiling as cheese can burn quickly.
- For a crispy crust, you can lightly spray the cutlets with cooking spray before baking.
Keywords: Chicken Parmesan, baked chicken, Italian chicken recipe, healthy chicken parmesan, whole wheat breaded chicken
Find it online: https://nayabaker.com/baked-chicken-parmesan-recipe/
