Parmesan Crusted Chicken
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Parmesan crusted chicken is easy enough to make for a busy weeknight but also special enough for company.
Parmesan crusted chicken is a great chicken dish to add to your repertoire. It’s easy enough to make for a weeknight dinner but also special enough for company, and it appeals to the whole family. Kids especially love it because it bears some resemblance to chicken fingers. For adults, try topping it with a heaping pile of lemony arugula salad. There are two secrets to success: first, pounding the chicken breasts to an even 1/4-inch thickness tenderizes the meat and ensures even cooking; second, a three-step breading method ensures that the coating adheres to the meat while it cooks, resulting in a crispy crust and juicy interior every time.
For a variation on this recipe, try my easy parmesan chicken, which uses a similar breading and pan-frying technique but is then baked topped with marinara sauce and cheese, or chicken piccata, which is served with a lemon and caper sauce. For a vegetarian option, you can follow the directions for breading and frying eggplant in my eggplant parmesan recipe.
Table of Contents
“This chicken was excellent. Crispy on the outside and super tender and juicy inside. My husband loved it.”
What You’ll Need To Make Parmesan Crusted Chicken
Step-by-Step Instructions
Set up three large shallow bowls in an assembly line. Put the flour in the first bowl.
Beat the eggs in the second bowl.
Finally, mix the bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, and chopped fresh herbs in the third bowl.
Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper.
Dredge the first chicken breast in the flour and shake off the excess until just a light coating remains.
Next, dip the chicken in the egg mixture and turn to coat evenly, letting any excess egg drip off.
Finally, dredge the chicken in the bread crumb mixture, turning a few times to coat well. Set breaded chicken on a plate and repeat until all of the chicken breasts are breaded.
Heat the oil in a large sauté pan over medium heat. When the oil is hot, add the chicken breasts to the pan and cook for 2-3 minutes until the first side is golden brown. Flip and continue cooking until done, 2 to 3 minutes longer.
Serve immediately with lemon wedges.
Video Tutorial
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Parmesan Crusted Chicken
Parmesan crusted chicken is easy enough to make for a busy weeknight but also special enough for company.
Ingredients
For Breading
- ½ cup all purpose flour
- 2 eggs
- ⅔ cup seasoned Italian bread crumbs (I use Progresso)
- ⅓ cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh herbs, such as thyme, parsley, chives or rosemary
For Chicken
- 3-4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 1½ pounds), pounded ¼"-thick (see note)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- ¼ cup olive oil
- Lemon wedges, for serving
Instructions
- Set up three large shallow bowls in an assembly line. Put the flour in the first bowl; beat the eggs in the second bowl; and mix the bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, and chopped fresh herbs in the third bowl.
- Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Dredge the first chicken breast in the flour and shake off the excess until just a light coating remains. Next, dip the chicken in the egg mixture and turn to coat evenly, letting any excess egg drip off. Finally, dredge the chicken in the bread crumb mixture, turning a few times to coat well. Set breaded chicken on a plate and repeat until all of the chicken breasts are breaded.
- Heat the oil in a large sauté pan over medium heat. When the oil is hot, add the chicken breasts to the pan and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until the first side is golden brown. Flip and continue cooking until done, 2 to 3 minutes longer. Serve immediately with lemon wedges.
- Note: If chicken breasts are large (8 or more ounces), it's best to cut them in half once they are pounded out. Alternatively, you can cut them in half horizontally before pounding.
Pair with
Nutrition Information
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- Per serving (4 servings)
- Calories: 562
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated fat: 8g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Sugar: 1g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 48g
- Sodium: 1218mg
- Cholesterol: 223mg
This website is written and produced for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and the nutritional data on this site has not been evaluated or approved by a nutritionist or the Food and Drug Administration. Nutritional information is offered as a courtesy and should not be construed as a guarantee. The data is calculated through an online nutritional calculator, Edamam.com. Although I do my best to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures should be considered estimates only. Varying factors such as product types or brands purchased, natural fluctuations in fresh produce, and the way ingredients are processed change the effective nutritional information in any given recipe. Furthermore, different online calculators provide different results depending on their own nutrition fact sources and algorithms. To obtain the most accurate nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator.
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So delicious! We have tried so many of your tasty recipes this past month. This is my husband’s favorite!
Yay another successful recipe! Very easy to follow and most importantly super delicious! Made this with the parmesan smashed potatoes and steamed broccoli! Soooo kid approved, my son loved, loved, loved it! Hammering the chicken breast helped keep it juicy and cook evenly. Thanks again!
Great flavor, moist and easy to make.
Hi,
Just tried this recipe today and it was exquisite. Thank you for making it look so easy to make.
This is really, really good. I made it with spinach linguine and alfredo sauce.
I have a question about pounding the chicken. What do you use to pound it flat?
Hi Dana, It’s a meat mallet/tenderizer. This is the one I have: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00004OCJJ/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_dp_ss_3?pf_rd_p=1944687722&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B0000DAQ7I&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1KY12YJ9GA3MH9T7RARA
Absolutely delicious. Crisp, moist and tasty. Will make again. Thanks.
Looks so delish; I’m dying to make this, BUT, as I have to watch my salt intake, the amount is much to high for me! Suggestions how I can reduce the salt content and keep the flavor?
Hi Harlee, It’s fine to just cut back on the salt. A good squeeze of lemon juice on the finished dish will add flavor.
I was just wondering if you happened to have the nurtition facts for this dish?
Hi Sam, I’ve added the nutritional data underneath the recipe. Hope that helps!
Love it! I use it to make my chicken parm!
Looks wonderful….I will do the recipe using flattened skinless, boneless turkey thighs….it’ll be divine!
I make this often, but instead of frying, I spray a cookie sheet with olive oil spray, put the chicken on the pan, and then spray the top of the chicken with more olive oil. I bake it in a hot oven–450 degrees for 5-7 minutes, turn and bake for another 5-7 minutes until brown. The chicken is juicy and the breading crispy without a lot of oil and frying mess!
I’ve been doing this for a long time. Great, simple recipe. I use 1/2 butter, and 1/2 olive oil instead of vegetable oil. Just a preference. I also prefer Romano cheese in the mix. I also add some Panko for extra crunch too. It’s all good !
What a tasty recipe, and a nice twist to my usual “plainer” chicken cutlet recipe. The whole family enjoyed it and so easy to make. Another keeper from your blog, thank you!
My husband likes his chicken off the bone and crispy, but I like mine juicy. Roasting boneless breasts can turn out dry and flavorless. This should fit the bill. May try a mornay sauce on the side.
These are great and surprisingly quick to make. Served alongside some orzo, covered in pesto and a balsamic reduction, they’re a real treat.
Seriously Jenn, whenever i’m bored n wanna try out something new n z kitchen.. I come back here, full of confidence zat whatever recipe i try out will turn out great thanks 2 ur detailed explanations n honesty in sharing z secrets of ur delightful dishes.. Many many thanks n wish u z best of luck.. Besides.. Who cares about nutrition facts.. If it tastes right it is right!
That is so nice to read, Bassel. Thank you!
I second Bassel’s comments Jenn. I’m still a newbie to your site with only having tried two dishes so far but I know that any recipes you offer are going to work beautifully. I also like that you go into all the detail in explaining your recipes and providing photos. I wish we would have had you and the internet way back when I was just learning to cook 40 years ago!
I love the idea of adding herbs…Will try this 🙂
I think it’s about 800-900 calories per breast. Seriously .
Do you have nutritional info for this recipe?
Sorry, Anne-Marie, I’m not able to provide nutritional info for my recipes. It’s something I’m working on so stay tuned…
Delicious recipe, thank you!
This recipe is great! I have some picky eaters & they loved this! Will make often.
This is the best recipe ever. Easy instructions, tasty!
Thanks!
Thank you so much this is the best recipe I’ve came across yet and it turned out absolutely delicious!
This dish has been a staple in my home since I was a little girl. We love it. The only thing we add is garlic powder. If you use fresh garlic it tends to burn so the powder is a good alternative.
Thank you for sharing this wonderful dinner recipes 🙂 I made this and my hubby LOVES it! He keeps asking again and again 🙂 Thank you thank you!
Fabulous recipe!
My husband and kids LOVE this! So easy and quick to make. Perfect for during the week.
I’ve made the Parmesan Crusted Chicken many times. My family loves it.
I was looking for something quick for dinner that tasted great and this was the ticket. And thanks to the comment from Charles I am trying it on halibut next!
I do an oven baked version of this, but I bet this tastes better!
Great recipe, even picky grandchildren loved it
I use this chicken for chicken parm its great!
The texture and flavor were perfect!
Yummy!
This is one of the simplest, yummiest dinners I’ve had in a long time. Served it alongside a basic salad topped with balsamic vinaigrette and a side of spaghetti. The flavors are just right, and the parmesan crust puts it over the top.
I’ve also used it as the foundation for chicken parmesan, melting a slice of fresh mozzarella on top with a spoonful of homemade spaghetti sauce. Love it.
Everyone in my family loves this one. This is one of our Sunday dinners at Nana’s house!!!
Made this last week and it was GREAT!!!!
This is my family’s favorite way to eat chicken. My daughter is so picky, and she loves this!
great recipie !!! one that whole family enjoyed. keep them coming
Love this! Quick and easy to make . Its become one of my family’s favorite !
I thought I invented this dish. Now I know I wasn’t making it right. My family thinks I have turned into a kitchen goddess. hee hee
Thank you Jennifer!
My husband now requests the “crispy chicken” for dinner. What a nice change from the boring chicken breasts we eat all the time. I haven’t tried a recipe on this site that I haven’t loved!!
Mouth-watering and elegant. This dish not only produces tender chicken (no knife necessary), the combination of flavors make it an excellent choice for a dinner party or a great sandwich if you add bacon and avocado!
Thanks for the great idea of adding bacon and avocado. Would never have thought of this. My daughter is a very picky eater but loves bacon and avocado. Can’t wait to try this recipe now. 🙂
Love this recipe! So easy too! Thanks …. Susan
Jen:
This chicken is now Harry’s favorite.
Thanks! Keep up the great work!
xoxo
Fran
A new family favorite. Thank you!
This cheese is so well known and popular within and outside Italy’s borders is one of the oldest since it comes from 400 years ago.
Jennifer, It didn’t take me long to apply your recipe and method on halibut. I added a “Thank you” to you and a link back to this recipe and your site. Thank you.
Thank you for this. I have fallen in love with Parmesan crusted halibut here in Oregon but lacked a technique. Beautiful site too. Thanks, Charles