By Becky Hardin
Updated Sep 3, 2025
Tender chicken breasts covered in a delicious cheesy coating and oven-baked to perfection. I find this golden, crispy Parmesan Crusted Chicken is a total crowd-pleaser and easy to make for dinner any time.
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Easy Parmesan Crusted Chicken Recipe
I love making these thin chicken breasts coated in tangy, Parmesan-infused breadcrumbs and baked to perfection—juicy on the inside and crispy on the outside. It’s such a simple recipe, but every time I serve it, it disappears in no time!
This breaded chicken is a go-to in my house because I know it’s always a hit, whether I’m serving it to the kids on a busy weeknight or bringing it to a dinner party. It tastes amazing on its own, and I’ve even used leftovers for a quick and satisfying lunch the next day.
I like using panko breadcrumbs to get that perfectly crispy texture in every bite, and I coat the chicken in a buttery, flavorful mixture so the topping sticks while baking. In just over half an hour, you’ve got a golden, irresistible chicken dish that I guarantee will become a favorite in your meal rotation too.
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ ½ cup unsalted butter melted (1 stick), if using salted, reduce the added salt
- ▢ ½ tsp garlic powder
- ▢ ¼ tsp onion powder
- ▢ ¾ cup Panko breadcrumbs
- ▢ ¾ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- ▢ 1 tsp Italian seasoning store-bought or homemade
- ▢ ½ tsp kosher salt
- ▢ ½ tsp ground black pepper
- ▢ 1½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts pounded thin
Video
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
- In a shallow bowl, whisk the melted butter, garlic powder, and onion powder together. ½ cup unsalted butter, ½ tsp garlic powder, ¼ tsp onion powder
- In another shallow bowl, combine the breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. ¾ cup Panko breadcrumbs, ¾ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, 1 tsp Italian seasoning, ½ tsp kosher salt, ½ tsp ground black pepper
- Dip each chicken breast in the butter mixture and dredge in the breadcrumb mixture, coating both sides. 1½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Place the coated chicken breasts onto the prepared baking sheet. If desired, top each chicken breast with extra breadcrumb topping.
- Bake for 20 minutes, or until the chicken is golden brown and crispy. The internal temperature of the chicken should be at least 165°F. Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes. This allows the chicken to become juicier.
- Slice and serve.
Equipment
- Baking Sheet
Becky’s Tips
- To pound the chicken , place it between 2 pieces of plastic wrap or into a Ziplock bag and use a meat mallet to pound it until it becomes thin . If you don’t have a meat mallet, use a rolling pin or a skillet.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How to Make Parmesan Crusted Chicken Step by Step
Get the oven going and prepare a baking pan : Preheat your oven to 400°F, line a baking sheet with parchment paper, and set aside.
Prepare the butter mixture : Whisk ½ cup unsalted butter, ½ tsp garlic powder, and ¼ tsp onion powder together in a small bowl.
Prepare the breadcrumbs: Combine ¾ cup Panko breadcrumbs, ¾ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, 1 tsp Italian seasoning, ½ tsp kosher salt, and ½ tsp ground black pepper in a shallow bowl suitable for dredging the chicken.
Prepare the chicken : Gently dip the pieces of chicken into the seasoned butter and then dredge them in the breadcrumb mixture. Make sure both sides of the chicken breast are well covered.
Lay the breaded chicken breasts on the baking sheet. If you have leftover breadcrumb mixture, you can sprinkle each breast with a little more.
Bake the chicken for 20 minutes, or until it turns golden brown and crispy. The internal temperature of the chicken should be at least 165°F. So that the chicken becomes juicier, let it rest in the pan for 5 minutes.
Serve : Slice, serve, and enjoy.
Variations
- Gluten-free. Replace the Panko breadcrumbs with gluten-free breadcrumbs. The coating might not be as crunchy, but it will still be delicious.
- Different seasoning. Replace Italian seasoning with ranch seasoning for a tangy twist, classic chicken seasoning for a savory touch, or Creole seasoning to add a little heat.
- Swap the cheese. If you’re not a Parmesan fan, try Asiago, Pecorino Romano, or Grana Padano.
- Use chicken thighs. Make sure to pound them to half an inch thickness, ensuring the surface on both sides is flat. Chicken thighs will need longer to cook so adjust the cook time accordingly.
- Give it a kick. Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to the breadcrumb mixture in step 3.
- Use leftover breadcrumbs. Make Parmesan crusted salmon or Parmesan crusted tilapia with the leftover breadcrumbs.
How to Store
Store Parmesan crusted chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes, until warmed through.
Freeze Parmesan crusted chicken in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Serving Suggestions
You can make this meal light or more substantial with a variety of tasty sides. For a rich, filling meal, I serve it with air fryer potato wedges or instant pot green bean casserole . For a lighter meal, I use the chicken as a topper for a fresh green goddess salad or serve it with a side of roasted vegetables . This easy weeknight recipe will become an instant favorite in your house!
more Baked Chicken recipes
Mediterranean Chicken Bake Recipe (Balsamic Baked Chicken)
Baked Chicken Cordon Bleu Dip
Homemade Baked Chicken Nuggets Recipe
Oven Baked Chicken Parmesan
Parmesan Crusted Chicken Recipe
Equipment
- Baking Sheet
Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter melted (1 stick), if using salted, reduce the added salt
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ¼ tsp onion powder
- ¾ cup Panko breadcrumbs
- ¾ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning store-bought or homemade
- ½ tsp kosher salt
- ½ tsp ground black pepper
- 1½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts pounded thin
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
- In a shallow bowl, whisk the melted butter, garlic powder, and onion powder together. ½ cup unsalted butter, ½ tsp garlic powder, ¼ tsp onion powder
- In another shallow bowl, combine the breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. ¾ cup Panko breadcrumbs, ¾ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, 1 tsp Italian seasoning, ½ tsp kosher salt, ½ tsp ground black pepper
- Dip each chicken breast in the butter mixture and dredge in the breadcrumb mixture, coating both sides. 1½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Place the coated chicken breasts onto the prepared baking sheet. If desired, top each chicken breast with extra breadcrumb topping.
- Bake for 20 minutes, or until the chicken is golden brown and crispy. The internal temperature of the chicken should be at least 165°F. Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes. This allows the chicken to become juicier.
- Slice and serve.
Video
Notes
- To pound the chicken , place it between 2 pieces of plastic wrap or into a Ziplock bag and use a meat mallet to pound it until it becomes thin . If you don’t have a meat mallet, use a rolling pin or a skillet.
Nutrition
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
