Description
Crispy Herb-Crusted Chicken Breast delivers pure comfort straight from your kitchen to the dinner table. Seasoned with garden herbs and baked until golden, this simple protein will become a weeknight favorite your family craves.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Cheese:
- ⅓ cup finely grated Pecorino Romano cheese
- Optional: Extra grated Pecorino for serving
Seasonings and Aromatics:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Citrus and Herbs:
- Zest and juice of 1 large lemon
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)
- Optional: Lemon slices for garnish
Instructions
- Activate your oven to 400°F and coat a 9×13 inch baking dish with cooking spray or parchment paper.
- Combine 2 tablespoons olive oil, zest and juice from 1 whole lemon, 2 minced garlic cloves, ½ teaspoon oregano, ½ teaspoon thyme, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper in a small mixing bowl.
- Arrange 4 chicken breasts in the prepared baking dish and thoroughly drench them with the herbal marinade.
- Generously sprinkle ⅓ cup Pecorino Romano cheese over each chicken breast, ensuring complete coverage.
- Shield the baking dish with aluminum foil and slide into the preheated oven for exactly 20 minutes.
- Remove foil and continue baking for an additional 10-15 minutes until your chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Extract the chicken from the oven and allow it to rest for 5 minutes to seal in the juices.
- Garnish with 2 tablespoons freshly chopped parsley and optional lemon slices before serving hot.
Notes
- Marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes beforehand to help tenderize the meat and boost flavor depth.
- Check chicken temperature with a meat thermometer to ensure perfect doneness without drying out the breast.
- For a gluten-free version, confirm your cheese and herbs are certified gluten-free, and skip breadcrumbs.
- When slicing chicken after cooking, always cut against the grain to keep the meat tender and juicy.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Baked
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 285 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 520 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 4.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 3 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 33 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg