This Parmesan Crusted Chicken is coated with freshly grated Parmesan Cheese and panko breadcrumbs. Then, it is pan-fried in a little melted butter, creating a chicken breast full of flavor with a crispy exterior and a juicy, tender inside. It’s quick and easy enough for a weeknight dinner yet fancy enough for company.
The Best Parmesan Crusted Chicken
In just a few simple steps, you can create a mouthwatering parmesan-crusted chicken dish that is sure to impress. This recipe is perfect for a quick and easy weeknight dinner. This dish is one of my go-to recipes for busy nights, so I like including easy sides. Like a simple garden salad, sauteed green beans, one-pot parmesan pasta, or garlic mashed potatoes are just a few of my go-to sides.
How to make Parmesan Crusted Chicken
Start by setting up two breading stations and one dunking station: the first one with flour, the second one with beaten eggs, and the third one with panko breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Now dredge the chicken breasts in the flour, dip them in the eggs, and coat both sides with the panko-parmesan mixture.
Then heat a little vegetable oil and melt a little butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the coated chicken for 2-3 minutes per side or until cooked through. For best results, let it rest for a few minutes before serving.
Recipe Tips
- Split thick breasts in half lengthwise or cover them with plastic wrap and pound them with a meat mallet till they are about 1/2 inch thick. You want the meat to be cooked through after the coating browns and crisps.
- Try using fresh herbs like rosemary, basil, and thyme. The Italian seasonings are simply a guideline and a good solution for busy families.
- When you place the chicken in the skillet, do not disturb it much. Let the breading crisp up on the chicken before flipping.
- Chicken is cooked through when it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees. An instant-read meat thermometer is inexpensive and a real blessing when cooking.
- Pro tip: To avoid the dreaded breading fingers, use one hand for the egg mixture and the other for the flour mixture.
How to air fry Parmesan Crusted Chicken
Start by preheating your air fryer to 400 degrees. Bread the chicken according to the recipe instructions. Spray the chicken with a little olive oil or cooking spray and place it in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Air fry for about 7 minutes, then flip and cook for another 4 minutes or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees.
How to bake Parmesan Crusted Chicken
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Bread the chicken according to the recipe instructions. Spray the chicken with olive oil or cooking spray and place it on a baking sheet. Bake for 17-20 minutes or until the chicken is golden brown and reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees.
Store and Reheat
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, take them out of the fridge 30-40 minutes before reheating to bring them to room temperature. Reheat in the oven on a baking sheet at 375 degrees for about 10-12 minutes or until warm, or in the air fryer at 350 degrees for 3-4 minutes.
Freeze for up to 2 months. Reheat from frozen at 425 in the oven for 15-18 minutes or until heated through.
Parmesan Crusted Chicken
Ingredients
- ½ cup flour
- 2 eggs
- ⅔ cup panko bread crumbs
- ⅔ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts cut in half lengthwise or 4 chicken cutlets
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- Chopped fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Set up three breading dunking stations in a shallow bowl or a plate with a raised edge. Place flour in one. Beaten eggs in another. Panko breadcrumbs, Parmesan Cheese, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper in the last one.
- Dredge the chicken breasts in the flour, then dunk in the eggs, and then into the panko parmesan mixture, coating both sides.
- Heat the vegetable oil and melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook for 3 minutes, then flip and cook for 3 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through. Chicken is cooked through when it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Let the chicken rest loosely tented for 5 minutes. If desired, garnish with chopped fresh parsley.
Notes
- Split thick breasts in half lengthwise or pound them till they are about 1/2 inch thick. You want the meat to be cooked through after the coating browns and crisps.
- For optimal taste, use freshly grated parmesan cheese. It makes all the difference in the world.
- You can substitute regular breadcrumbs for the panko if you are in a pinch. Although I really like the added crispiness that I get from panko breadcrumbs.
- Try using fresh herbs like rosemary, basil, and thyme. The Italian seasonings are simply a guideline and a good solution for busy families.
- When you place the chicken in the skillet, try not to disturb it much. Let the breading crisp up on the chicken before flipping.
- Pro-Tip – to avoid the dreaded breading fingers use one hand for the egg mixture and the other hand for the flour mixture.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freeze for up to 2 months. Reheat in the oven from frozen at 425 for 15-18 minutes or until heated through.
Nutrition
Are you on the hunt for more delicious recipes? Follow Small Town Woman on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram.
https://www.smalltownwoman.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Beth-1.pdf
Richelle Milar
Oh my! This is a really delicious recipe! My family loved this so much! Thanks for sharing.
Manali Oza
How much time does it take to get cooked?
Beth Pierce
About 3-4 minutes each side if the chicken breasts have been cut in half lengthwise and are thin.
Evelyn
I have tried the Parmesan Crusted Chicken several times before. It’s so good!!
Steph S
Yum! Thanks so much for the recipe!
Edgar
Damn! Your chicken looks so good. For a moment there, I thought I was looking at a little fish! I look forward to trying it out.
Fransic
This is tastes so yummy, loves how it’s cooked and would love to cook it on the weekend. Thank you for sharing!
Beth Pierce
My pleasure! Enjoy!!
April
I’ve been looking for a new Parmesan Crusted Chicken recipe to try. This will be great to try out for dinner next week.
Beth Pierce
Thanks April! Enjoy!!
Melanie Edjourian
I love this recipe. It’s so simple to make and very tasty. It also goes well with salad which is great.
Beth Pierce
Thanks Melanie! So glad that you liked it!
The Confused Twenty Something
Chicken is usually my go to dinner, I’ll definitely try this recipe!
Subarna
Ohh this was super yummy. It was the perfect dinner recipe for our family.
Caroline
Yes, splitting the breasts or pounding them to make them thinner will help it get cooked well in the inside, and it looks yummy on the plate in the photo.
Cathy
The crust was so crispy and flavorful!
Juliane
Been making this a lot lately! SO good!
Catalina
A new and delicious way to make chicken for my family. Love it!
Erin
This Parmesan Crusted Chicken looks perfect! I need to add this to our menu soon!
Amanda
This is one of my all time favorite meals. Perfect for through the week and the whole family loves it!