Description
Chessy oven baked chicken delivers a simple weeknight dinner that saves your sanity with minimal prep and maximum flavor. Crispy seasoned coating and melted cheese make this protein-packed meal a total crowd-pleaser your family will devour in minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Cheese and Breading:
- 2 cups shredded cheese blend
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 tablespoons butter, melted
Seasonings:
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley
Instructions
- Prepare your workspace by setting the oven to 375°F and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
- Thoroughly dry each chicken breast with paper towels to help the coating stick perfectly.
- Whisk 1 tablespoon olive oil with half of the Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.
- Gently brush the seasoned oil mixture onto each chicken breast, ensuring even coverage.
- Melt 3 tablespoons butter and combine with the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil and remaining seasonings in a separate bowl.
- In another bowl, mix 1 cup shredded cheese blend with panko breadcrumbs to create a crunchy coating.
- Dunk each chicken breast first into the butter mixture, allowing excess to drip off.
- Roll the buttered chicken in the cheese-breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to make sure the coating adheres completely.
- Arrange the coated chicken breasts on the prepared baking sheet, leaving space between each piece.
- Bake for 20 minutes at 375°F until the chicken is nearly cooked through.
- Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of cheese over the chicken and return to the oven.
- Bake an additional 5-10 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes to redistribute juices before serving.
- Optional: Garnish with fresh chopped parsley for a bright finishing touch.
Notes
- Pat chicken completely dry to help breading stick perfectly and create a super crispy exterior.
- Use fresh grated cheese instead of pre-shredded for better melting and more authentic flavor.
- Choose panko breadcrumbs for maximum crunchiness, which creates a lighter and more delicate coating than traditional breadcrumbs.
- Check internal chicken temperature with a meat thermometer to guarantee food safety and prevent overcooking, which can make the meat dry.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Category: Baked
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 495 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 320 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 45 g
- Cholesterol: 130 mg