Description
Baked Chicken Parmesan delivers crispy, cheesy comfort right to your dinner table without the greasy mess of traditional frying. Crunchy breadcrumbs and melted mozzarella make this classic Italian-American dish a total crowd-pleaser your family will devour.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 6 skinless boneless chicken breast halves
- 2 cups spaghetti sauce
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Coating Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups bread crumbs
- 6 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
Wet Ingredients:
- ½ cup water
- 1 egg
- 1 canola oil cooking spray
Instructions
- Heat your oven to precisely 400°F, ensuring the rack sits in the middle position for even cooking.
- Generously coat a rectangular baking dish with canola oil cooking spray, covering all surfaces to prevent sticking.
- Crack one egg into a shallow bowl and whisk thoroughly until completely blended.
- Combine 1½ cups bread crumbs, 3 tablespoons Parmesan cheese, 1 tablespoon oregano, 1 teaspoon basil, ½ teaspoon thyme, and ½ teaspoon garlic powder in a separate wide dish.
- Dip each chicken breast into the beaten egg, allowing excess to drip off, then thoroughly coat with the seasoned bread crumb mixture.
- Arrange the breaded chicken breasts in the prepared baking dish, ensuring they do not touch each other.
- Slide the baking dish into the preheated oven and bake exactly 20 minutes until the chicken turns golden brown.
- Remove the dish from the oven and carefully spread ⅓ cup spaghetti sauce over each chicken breast.
- Sprinkle ⅙ cup mozzarella cheese and 1 tablespoon remaining Parmesan cheese on top of each chicken piece.
- Return the baking dish to the oven and bake an additional 5-7 minutes until the cheese melts completely and becomes slightly bubbly.
- Remove from the oven and let the chicken rest for 3 minutes before serving to allow juices to redistribute.
Notes
- Use thin chicken breasts or gently pound thicker ones to ensure even cooking and crispy coating.
- Fresh herbs can replace dried ones for a more vibrant flavor profile, but use about three times the amount.
- Check internal chicken temperature with a meat thermometer to guarantee it reaches 165°F for safe consumption.
- For a gluten-free version, swap traditional breadcrumbs with almond meal or crushed gluten-free crackers for a similar crispy texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-27 minutes
- Category: Baked
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 382 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 670 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 44 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg