This Parmesan Crusted Chicken holds a special place in my heart; it was served at our wedding luncheon years ago. I remember having a little taste of it at the luncheon and wanted to dive face first in and finish mine and everyone’s around me, but refrained because I was wearing all white and didn’t want to burst out of my dress! Our little family makes this dinner every year around our anniversary (my kids lovingly refer to it as “Anniversary Chicken”) and it’s a meal we always look forward to. We serve it with our Creamy Bowtie & Asparagus Pasta and it always brings me back to that happy day when I got married.
Easy Chicken Recipe
People are sometimes surprised at how simple this Parmesan Crusted Chicken is, because it is so packed with flavor and texture. Its crispy on the outside and juicy and tender on the inside. It’s prepped in a matter of minutes and always turns out perfectly! Here’s all you need:
Boneless skinless chicken breasts. You can use boneless thighs too, if you wish. Parmesan cheese. I like to use the finely ground Parmesan cheese (like the kind you sprinkle over spaghetti) to coat the chicken, then sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan over the top as a garnish. Italian bread crumbs. You can also use Panko bread crumbs and add Italian seasoning. Melted butter. Rolling the chicken in butter will help give it that tasty fried chicken taste. Paprika. I love the beautiful red color and mild, sweet flavor that paprika adds to this Parmesan crusted chicken recipe. Optional seasonings. This parmesan chicken is perfect as-is but if you are looking for some flavor variety you can add garlic powder or dry ranch dressing mix to the crumb coating.
Suggestions for Parmesan Crusted Chicken
You can easily double or triple this recipe! I’ve made it for large family and church gatherings and it always gets devoured. You can make a lot and it stays well in warmers. To make it more “kid friendly” we sometimes cut the chicken into strips before breading and baking. The cheesy crust bakes up so crispy that it could almost pass for fried chicken! Don’t over bake! The chicken should bake up in 30 to 35 minutes in the oven until the juices run clear. Overcooking can make the chicken too dry.
Alternative Cooking Methods
Pan Frying – Heat some oil in a cast iron skillet and pan fry over medium heat until cooked through (165 degrees F) on the inside Air Frying – Spray chicken with olive oil cooking spray and place in the air fryer basket. Air fry at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes. Check chicken for doneness after 20 minutes and flip the chicken pieces if necessary.
How to Serve Parmesan Crusted Chicken
Our favorite way to serve this chicken is with our Creamy Bowtie & Asparagus Pasta. It can also be served with spaghetti noodles, sauce, and fresh mozzarella to make a classic Chicken Parmesan. Rice or mashed potatoes are also great side dish ideas. For a low-carb option, try cutting up the chicken into slices and serving over salad or alongside roasted or steamed vegetables (roasted broccoli is one of our favorites with this recipe).
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. I typically don’t like re-heating chicken in the microwave. I prefer cutting the chicken into smaller pieces and heating in some oil in a non-stick skillet until heated through. You can also re-heat them by placing on a baking sheet and baking at 350-degrees for 6-7 minutes or until heated through. Read Next: Marry Me Chicken
More Delicious Chicken Recipes
This recipe is actually one of our readers’ favorites too! It has made our Top 10 Chicken Breast Recipes list. Here are some more of our most popular chicken recipes:
How to Make Paprika Parmesan Crusted Chicken
Oven Fried Chicken
Chicken Fried Chicken
Malibu Chicken Recipe
Alice Springs Chicken
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