Description
This Parmesan Crusted Chicken is a crispy, golden, restaurant-worthy dish that’s perfect for a romantic dinner for two. Quick to prepare and bake, it’s foolproof, customizable, and guaranteed to impress.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 8 oz each, thin-cut or pounded to 1/2-inch thickness)
- 3/4 cup Parmesan cheese, finely grated
- 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon dried Italian herbs (optional)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or melted butter
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil and set a wire rack on top if available.
- Set up three shallow bowls: one with flour, half the salt and pepper; one with beaten egg; one with panko, Parmesan, garlic powder, herbs, and the rest of the salt and pepper.
- Pat chicken breasts dry with paper towels. If thick, butterfly or pound to 1/2-inch thickness.
- Dredge each breast in flour (shake off excess), dip in beaten egg, then coat generously in the Parmesan-panko mixture. Press coating on firmly. For extra crunch, repeat egg and crumb coating.
- Place chicken on wire rack or directly on baking sheet. Drizzle or brush tops with olive oil or melted butter.
- Bake for 18-22 minutes, until coating is golden and chicken is cooked through (165°F internal temperature). If not using a rack, flip halfway through.
- Let chicken rest for a few minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
For extra crunch, double-coat the chicken in egg and crumbs. Freshly grated Parmesan yields the best flavor and texture. If using chicken thighs, increase baking time slightly. For gluten-free, use GF panko or crushed rice crackers. Let chicken rest before slicing to keep it juicy. Leftovers reheat best in the oven or under the broiler.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast (ab
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 1
- Sodium: 650
- Fat: 14
- Saturated Fat: 5
- Carbohydrates: 12
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 36
Keywords: parmesan crusted chicken, romantic dinner, chicken recipe, date night, easy chicken, baked chicken, crispy chicken, Italian chicken, dinner for two