Parmesan Crusted Chicken

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5 from 74 votes
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My parmesan crusted chicken is easy and flavorful, crispy and golden on the outside, and juicy in the middle. It’s perfect for a weeknight dinner and can be prepped in advance.

parmesan crusted chicken.
Table of Contents
  1. Key Ingredients
  2. How to make parmesan crusted chicken
  3. Arman’s recipe tips
  4. Storage instructions
  5. Parmesan Crusted Chicken (Recipe Card)
  6. Frequently asked questions 
  7. More family-favorite chicken dinners

Whenever I’m stuck on what to cook with chicken breasts and need something fast, I combine them with cheese and Italian herbs, resulting in an incredibly delicious parmesan-crusted chicken recipe.

The chicken has a tender crust on the outside while being extra juicy on the inside. The parmesan crumb complements the chicken perfectly without being overpowering. I typically serve it with a salad and potatoes for a balanced dinner, but it’s also great over mixed arugula for a light, high-protein lunch.

It’s been a family favorite for years and one of the first dishes I learned to cook. It is also one of the key techniques I learned in culinary school. Thank you, Zia Christina, for letting me share your authentic Italian recipe with my wonderful readers today.

Parmesan crusted chicken recipe highlights

Arman Liew

Quick and easy: This dish takes just 15 minutes to make. I like to make this kind of dinner on busy weeknights when I need something on the table fast!

Multiple cooking methods: Although nothing beats frying the chicken, I’ve also tested it in the air fryer and oven, so you’ve options.

Meal-prep friendly: After they’re fried and cooled, if I have any leftovers, I like to freeze them up for a later date. They thaw beautifully and taste just as good as when made fresh!

Versatile: Toss the sliced chicken through pasta or make it into a sandwich (hello, chicken parmesan sandwiches!).

If you love crispy Italian chicken recipes like we do, try my chicken Milanese, panko chicken, chicken parmigiana, and chicken cutlets.

★★★★★ REVIEW

“These are delicious and so easy to make! I used chicken tenders, and they were just perfect for dipping. They were a huge hit with the kids in the family. The parmesan gives them so much flavor, and the panko keeps them really nice and crispy.” – Adrienne

Key Ingredients

Scroll down to the recipe card below for the full list of ingredients. These are just a few notes about the main ones: 

  • Chicken breasts. Use boneless, skinless chicken breasts. I’ve tried this with chicken thighs and found them a little too big and bulky to coat and crisp up properly. If the chicken is too thick, pound it using a meat mallet until it is around 1/2-inch thick.
  • Parmesan cheese. Buy a block of Parmesan cheese and grate it yourself. The pre-shredded kind may be more convenient, but the flavor is all in the freshly grated kind.
  • Breadcrumbs. I prefer using panko breadcrumbs as they have a much nicer crunch, but any regular breadcrumbs will work.
  • All-purpose flour. To help form an extra crispy coating around each chicken breast. Additionally, adding a dash of flour helps retain the juices.
  • Dried herbs and seasonings. The flour coating is seasoned with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.

How to make parmesan crusted chicken

This is an overview with step-by-step photos. Full ingredients & instructions are in the recipe card below.

pounding raw chicken breasts.

Step 1- Pound the chicken into 1/2-inch thickness. Season with salt and pepper.

dredging raw chicken in flour and egg.

Step 2- Dip each chicken breast first into the flour mix, then the beaten eggs, and lastly, the parmesan-bread crumb mixture. 

pan frying breaded chicken breasts.

Step 3- Heat the oil in a large skillet. Once hot, lay the breaded chicken breasts in the pan and fry on both sides until golden brown.

fried parmesan crusted chicken fillets.

Step 4- Let the fried chicken rest on a wire rack to help them stay crispy. Once all of the chicken breasts are cooked, serve them with your favorite sides and enjoy!

Arman’s recipe tips

  • Use a meat thermometer. I seriously respect anyone who can cook chicken (or any meat) without using an instant-read thermometer. Once the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165F, it’s fully cooked.
  • Always shred the cheese by hand! Parmesan cheese from the block melts and tastes much better than store-bought shredded cheese.
  • Season with lemon. This is how they serve this chicken everywhere in Europe, and for good reason: a squeeze of lemon juice on top balances the salty and savory flavors perfectly.
  • Use the same-size chicken breasts. This will ensure the chicken all cook evenly, completely, and simultaneously.
  • Batch cook, if needed. I can comfortably fit 2-3 fillets in my pan, so I usually have to make three batches when feeding my family. It might be a teeny bit more time-consuming, but it’s the best way to ensure the chicken is perfectly crispy every single time.

Storage instructions

To store: Once cooled, wrap the cooked chicken breasts in plastic wrap or store them in an airtight container. They’ll stay fresh for up to 3 or 4 days in the fridge.

To freeze: Leftovers also freeze well for up to 6 months. Let the leftovers thaw in the fridge before reheating.

Reheating: Reheat the chicken breasts on a sheet pan in a 350ºF oven for 10 to 12 minutes or until they’re warmed through and slightly crisp.

parmesan crusted chicken recipe.

Parmesan Crusted Chicken

5 from 74 votes
My parmesan crusted chicken recipe yields truly crispy chicken covered in the most salty, savory, and cheesy breading. Watch the video below to see how I make this in my kitchen!
Servings: 4 servings
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 8 minutes
Total: 13 minutes

Video

Ingredients  

  • 4 chicken breasts boneless and skinless
  • 1 cup parmesan cheese grated
  • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 large eggs beaten
  • 1/4 cup olive oil

Instructions 

  • Pound the chicken breasts into 1/2-inch thickness. Season with salt and pepper.
  • In a shallow bowl, combine the grated Parmesan cheese and bread crumbs. In a second bowl, add the flour, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix well. In a separate bowl, add the beaten eggs. 
  • Dip each chicken breast into the flour mix, then the beaten eggs, allowing any excess to drip off. Press the chicken breasts into the Parmesan breadcrumb mixture, coating both sides thoroughly.
  • Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the breaded chicken breasts and cook for 3-4 minutes on each side until they turn golden brown.

Notes

Oven baked method: Lay the breaded chicken breasts on a wire rack on top of a baking sheet and spray them with cooking spray. Bake at 400°F for 15-20 minutes or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165F.
Air fryer method: It’s identical to my air fryer chicken parmesan (minus the sauce and cheese). To air fry, lay the coated chicken breasts in the air fryer basket and lightly spray them with cooking spray. Air fry at 350ºF for 15 minutes, flip, and cook for another 10 minutes or until they’re crispy and golden.
Storage: Once cooled, wrap the cooked chicken breasts in plastic wrap or store them in an airtight container. They’ll stay fresh for up to 3 or 4 days in the fridge.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 392kcalCarbohydrates: 12gProtein: 38gFat: 22gSodium: 968mgPotassium: 518mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 367IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 350mgIron: 2mgNET CARBS: 11g
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Author: Arman Liew
Tried this recipe?Give us a shout at @thebigmansworld or tag #thebigmansworld!
parmesan crusted chicken on a plate.

Frequently asked questions 

Do I have to flatten my chicken?

Technically, you don’t, but I find it makes such a difference! It not only helps the breading mixture stick to the chicken more easily, but it also tenderizes the meat, yielding a more juicy texture.

Can I make this lower carb?

Yes, you can! Swap out the breadcrumbs for either almond flour or crushed pork rinds. I prefer the lighter texture of the almond flour, and it’s what I use in my keto chicken parmesan.

More family-favorite chicken dinners

If you’ve enjoyed this Parmesan Crusted Chicken recipe, please give it a star rating. It really helps others thinking of making it. Tag me in your photos or videos on InstagramTikTok, or Facebook I love hearing from you!

Arman Liew

I’m a two time cookbook author, photographer, and writer, and passionate about creating easy and healthier recipes. I believe you don’t need to be experienced in the kitchen to make good food using simple ingredients that most importantly, taste delicious.

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Comments

  1. 5 stars
    I tried the baked method and it was wonderful. My hubby prefers things not fried so this was perfect. Thanks for the wonderful recipe! I paired it with garlic mashed potatoes and a side of fresh fruit.
    Delicious!

  2. 5 stars
    Whole family loves it. I followed everything with 1 difference, I put my metal cookie drying rack on top of my baking pan so I could have it crispy on the bottom too!!

  3. 5 stars
    These are delicious and so easy to make! I used chicken tenders and they were just perfect for dipping and a huge hit with the kids in the family. The parmesan gives them so much flavor and the panko keeps them really nice and crispy.

  4. 5 stars
    Awesome tasting recipe
    I decided to use crushed pork rinds for the bread crumbs to lower the carbohydrates and it was delicious
    Definitely a recipe for weeknights and weekends
    Thank you

  5. 5 stars
    This dish is out of this world delicious. My kids and husband said they would eat it again tommorow, Please add it to our regular meal plan.

  6. This looks delicious! However I am allergic to eggs. Can you suggest something else to use in place of eggs in this recipe?

  7. This looks incredible- but I have two questions. How many ounces of chicken are you using (per breast) and can this be made gluten free? (I have a gluten intolerance)

      1. If you don’t mind a slightly crispier chicken, I find buttermilk works (even a homemade version- 1 cup milk with 1 teaspoon vinegar).

    1. This looks incredible- but I have two questions. How many ounces of chicken are you using (per breast) and can this be made gluten free? (I have a gluten intolerance)