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Crispy Baked Parmesan Chicken

Crispy baked Parmesan chicken with golden brown crust on white plate.

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This recipe transforms simple chicken breasts into a golden, crunchy, and utterly satisfying main course. The secret is a crispy coating of Panko and finely grated aged Parmesan, baked to perfection. It’s the ultimate easy comfort food for a weeknight dinner that feels like a special treat.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs), pounded to 1/2-inch thickness
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 cup Panko breadcrumbs
  • 1 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 tablespoons milk or buttermilk
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • Olive oil or non-stick cooking spray

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and lightly coat with olive oil or non-stick spray.
  2. Set up three shallow dishes. In the first, combine flour, 1 tsp garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. In the second, whisk eggs, milk, and Dijon mustard. In the third, combine Panko, Parmesan, Italian seasoning, and 1/2 tsp garlic powder.
  3. Pat chicken breasts very dry with paper towels. Dredge each piece first in the flour mixture, shaking off excess. Then dip fully into the egg wash, letting excess drip off. Finally, press firmly into the Parmesan-Panko mixture to coat all sides.
  4. Place coated chicken on the prepared baking sheet. Drizzle the melted butter evenly over the top of each piece.
  5. Bake for 18-22 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F) and the coating is deeply golden and crisp.
  6. Let chicken rest on the pan for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

For best results, use freshly grated Parmesan, not pre-shredded. Pound chicken to an even thickness for consistent cooking. Reheat leftovers in an air fryer or oven to maintain crispiness.

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