Crispy, cheesy, and packed with classic Italian flavor, this baked chicken parmesan is a lighter twist on a comfort food favorite. With golden Panko-crusted chicken, rich marinara, and melty mozzarella, it’s an easy dinner that’s perfect for any night of the week.

Baked chicken parmesan served over pasta and garnished with fresh basil.

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A Note from Kim

A Comfort Food Classic Everyone Loves

This baked chicken parmesan holds a special place in my kitchen, it’s one of those recipes my family requests on repeat. Comfort food at its finest!

The crispy, garlicky breadcrumb crust paired with gooey fresh mozzarella and a generous spoonful of marinara is an unbeatable combination. Serve it over a big bowl of spaghetti with a caesar salad and crusty bread, and watch it disappear fast. Guaranteed clean plates every time!

With love (and lots of good eats), - Kim

Just made this for the first time for my family and it was such a hit! It tasted so fresh, and everyone loved it, which doesn’t always happen with a family of five. It was easy to make too, and I’ll definitely be adding it to our regular weekly rotation.

— Dannii

Ingredients for Baked Chicken Parmesan

Here’s everything you’ll need to make this baked chicken parmesan recipe, simple ingredients that come together for wonderful flavor.

You can find the full recipe and measurements in the recipe card below.

Raw chicken breasts near small bowls with marinara sauce, breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese and mozzarella.
  • Chicken breasts: Slice or pound thin for even, quick cooking. For another italian-inspired chicken breast recipe, try my chicken marsala.
  • Eggs: These act as the glue that helps the breadcrumb coating stick to the chicken.
  • Salt and black pepper: Simple seasoning that goes right into the egg mixture for flavor in every layer.
  • Panko breadcrumbs: Seasoned Panko gives you that extra crispy, light coating that regular breadcrumbs just can’t match. I like the brand 4C. You can also use gluten-free breadcrumbs.
  • Parmesan cheese: Mixed right into the breadcrumb coating for a savory, nutty flavor that takes the crust to the next level.
  • Garlic powder: Adds a subtle but delicious depth of flavor to the breadcrumb mixture.
  • Marinara sauce: Use your favorite store-bought or homemade; you’ll want a little extra on the side for serving over pasta.
  • Fresh mozzarella: Sliced thin so it melts quickly and evenly over the chicken; fresh mozzarella makes all the difference here.
  • Spaghetti: The classic pairing for chicken parmesan; cook it according to the package and serve it alongside or underneath.
  • Fresh herbs: Basil, parsley, or oregano add a pop of color and a fresh finishing touch right before serving.

Kim’s Recipe Tips

  • It’s best to use chicken breasts that are all approximately the same size, so that they’ll bake at the same rate.
  • You can add as much or as little sauce as you like to the chicken. I typically spoon a little over the top, then serve it in more sauce as shown in the photos. The sauce does make the coating on the chicken a little softer so if you like ultra crispy chicken, go light on the sauce. You can use this homemade marinara or my two favorite store-bought brands are Organico Bello or Rao’s Marinara. Both have very clean ingredients and great flavor.
  • I typically use parmesan cheese on top of the chicken, but you could also use a fresh mozzarella cheese or fontina cheese.
  • You can garnish your chicken parmesan with chopped parsley or fresh basil, whatever you have on hand.

What to Serve With Chicken Parmesan

If you try this easy chicken parmesan recipe, let me know! Leave a comment and if your family loves it as much as mine does, be sure to give it a five star ⭐️ rating! Also, subscribe to our mailing list to receive more delicious recipes straight to your inbox.

Baked Chicken Parmesan

Crispy, cheesy, and full of classic Italian flavor, this baked chicken parmesan is an easy, lighter take on a comfort food favorite with golden breaded chicken, marinara, and melty mozzarella.
Author: Kim

Ingredients

  • 1 to 1 1/2 pound(s) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, halved or thinly sliced*
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 cup seasoned Panko breadcrumbs
  • 1/2 cup shredded or grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 2 cups marinara sauce***, plus more for serving over pasta
  • 6-8 ounces fresh mozzarella, sliced about 1/8-inch thick
  • 1 package of your favorite spaghetti for serving, prepared according to package instructions
  • Fresh basil, parsley or oregano, optional for garnish

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Instructions 

  • Preheat the oven to 425°F and lightly grease a baking sheet with nonstick spray. Slice the chicken breasts in half horizontally to create 4-6 thinner fillets, then (if needed) place them in a zip-top bag and gently pound to about ½-inch thickness.
  • In a shallow bowl, whisk the 2 large eggs with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. In another shallow bowl, combine the 1 cup seasoned Panko breadcrumbs, 1/2 cup shredded or grated Parmesan cheese , and 1 teaspoon garlic powder.
  • Dip each piece of chicken into the egg mixture, then coat thoroughly in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing lightly so it adheres. Arrange the chicken on the prepared pan and bake for 10 minutes. Flip each piece and back for another 5-7 minutes, until cooked through and no longer pink in the center.
  • Remove from the oven and spoon 1/4 cup marinara sauce over each piece, then top with a slice of mozzarella. Return to the oven for 2-3 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Broil for the final minute if you’d like extra browning.
  • Finish with fresh basil, parsley or oregano and serve with spaghetti, if desired.

Notes

*I used 3 chicken breasts totaling 1.4 pounds. I butterflied each breast, slicing them vertically, to create 6 evenly thin pieces.
**If you’re not using seasoned bread crumbs, I would suggest adding an extra 1 teaspoon garlic powder and 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning to the mixture.
***Use your favorite marinara sauce or my delicious homemade version.
Serving: 1serving, Calories: 203kcal, Carbohydrates: 13g, Protein: 14g, Fat: 11g, Saturated Fat: 6g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 3g, Trans Fat: 0.01g, Cholesterol: 90mg, Sodium: 990mg, Potassium: 322mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 4g, Vitamin A: 701IU, Vitamin C: 6mg, Calcium: 282mg, Iron: 2mg

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