Baked Chicken Parmesan is a delicious and healthy alternative to the beloved classic! The traditional recipe has been given a skinny makeover without losing any of its signature cheesy, crispy goodness.
When we’re craving a homemade Italian meal, I often turn to quick and easy pasta recipes. When I was feeling extra fancy, however, this oven-baked chicken Parmesan (also known as chicken parmigiana) is my forever go-to.
The first time I made this easy baked chicken Parmesan recipe, I knew it was an instant keeper.
The Parmesan-crusted chicken is perfectly crispy on the outside and lusciously juicy on the inside, and the cheese topping is hot, bubbly, and every bit as satisfying as it should be. (The same can be said for this Baked Chicken Cordon Bleu.)
The best part? Unlike most restaurant versions, which are deep-fried and heavy with greasy breadcrumbs and cheese, my version is baked, has minimal prep, and can be ready in 30 minutes (like my Chicken Piccata).
I’d venture to say that this is the BEST chicken parmesan recipe ever.
Why You’ll Love It
Today’s version is a light, healthy chicken Parmesan that’s easy to make and offers the same comfort and satisfaction as a go-big restaurant meal.
5 Star Review
“I had this for dinner tonight and it was absolutely amazing, so flavorful and delicious! Definitely making this again.”
— Bee —
How to Make Healthy Baked Chicken Parmesan
The funny thing about baked chicken Parmesan is that even though it seems pretty deluxe, it’s actually one of the easiest baked chicken recipes to make (just like Chicken Cacciatore).
Further, now that I have my own perfect version of a crispy, oven-baked chicken Parmesan with panko crust, I actually prefer it.
It’s delicious but not overdone and baked instead of fried. The panko bread crumb crust is satisfyingly crisp; without being so thick, you feel like you are eating a slab of breading.
The Ingredients
- Chicken Breasts. Lean and protein-packed boneless, skinless chicken breasts stay tender and juicy underneath the breading.
- Breadcrumbs + Panko. Because baked chicken Parmesan without breading just wouldn’t be right! Like my panko-crusted Chicken Katsu, oven-baked chicken Parmesan with panko is just as delicious as fried, and it’s so much better for you!
- Cheeses. Part-skim mozzarella cheese turns melty, gooey, and bubbly on top of the chicken, and the Parmesan helps flavor the breading. (For another cheesy chicken dish, try my Tuscan Chicken Mac and Cheese.)
- Egg Whites. Making baked chicken parmesan egg white-style is what helps make the breading stick to the chicken breasts. Skipping the yolk further reduces the fat and cholesterol in this healthy recipe.
- Tomato Sauce. To make the recipe especially weeknight-friendly, I took a shortcut using good-quality store-bought tomato sauce (marinara sauce works too).
- Pasta. Try serving baked chicken Parmesan with a side of whole wheat spaghetti. Roasted Spaghetti Squash or cooked zucchini noodles are also great options if you want to cut a few carbohydrates from your plate.
The Directions
- Cut and pound the chicken breasts.
- Stir together the breadcrumbs, Parmesan, garlic, and pepper. Whisk the egg whites until foamy in a separate bowl. Slice the mozzarella into 4 pieces.
- Dredge each of the chicken cutlets into the egg whites, then the bread crumb mixture.
- Bake until golden and crispy.
- Top the chicken with sauce and mozzarella.
- Bake for another 3 to 5 minutes. Garnish with additional fresh basil. ENJOY!
Storage Tips
- To Store. This recipe is best enjoyed the day it is baked, but leftovers can be refrigerated in an airtight storage container for up to 2 days.
- To Reheat. Leftover baked chicken Parmesan can be reheated in a lightly greased pan over medium heat.
Leftover Ideas
Leftover chicken is also good sliced and served at room temperature on top of salads.
What to Serve with Chicken Parmesan
Recommended Tools to Make this Recipe
Baking Sheets
A kitchen staple for a reason. Use these for roasting veggies, making one pan meals, cookies, and more!
I hope this healthy baked chicken Parm with a crispy crust adds some extra Italian flare to your kitchen. Add some bread and olive oil for dipping, and you’ll truly feel like you’re out on the town!
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! To Make this recipe in an air fryer, prepare the recipe as directed through Step 3. Lay the breaded chicken breasts in the air fryer basket, spritzing the tops with cooking spray. Cook for 6 to 8 minutes at 400 degrees F. Flip the chicken breasts over and add the cheese and sauce on top. Cook for another 2 to 3 minutes, until the cheese has melted and the chicken is cooked through.
Dry chicken is often overcooked chicken. For best results, invest in a simple instant-read thermometer to check your chicken’s internal temperature as it bakes. Chicken is fully cooked when it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F, but it will continue to cook as it rests, so I remove mine at 155 degrees F.
No. However, you could experiment with swapping the breadcrumbs in this recipe for a breadcrumb mixture of your favorite gluten-free alternatives. If you try it, I’d love to hear how it goes.
I have not tried making this easy chicken Parmesan with anything other than chicken breasts, so it would be an experiment. The cook time would likely increase since thighs typically take slightly longer to bake. Also, note that the nutrition will change if you opt for thighs since they are not as lean as chicken breasts.
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts about 12 ounces each
- 1/2 cup Italian seasoned breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup whole wheat Panko breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 large egg whites
- 4 ounces part-skim mozzarella
- 1/2 cup high-quality jarred tomato sauce plus extra for serving as desired
- Fresh basil thinly sliced or chopped
- Optional for serving: prepared whole wheat spaghetti or zucchini noodles, or just enjoy on its own!
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Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F. Lightly coat a baking sheet with cooking spray. Cut each chicken breast in half lengthwise, so you have 4 pieces total. Pound each piece to an even 1/2-inch thickness. Set aside.
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In a wide, shallow bowl (a pie dish works well), combine the Italian breadcrumbs, whole wheat Panko breadcrumbs, Parmesan, garlic powder, and pepper. In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg whites until lightly foamy. Cut the mozzarella into 4 slices, or grate and divide into four equal portions.
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Arrange your workstation in the following order: pounded chicken, egg whites, breadcrumb mixture, then the baking sheet. Working one at a time, dip each piece of chicken into the egg whites, shaking off any excess, then the breadcrumbs, gently patting the chicken as needed so that the crumbs stick to all sides.
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Place on the prepared baking sheet. Lightly coat the tops of the chicken with cooking spray. Bake until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 160 degrees F (use an instant-read thermometer to check for doneness) and the crumbs are brown, about 15 minutes. (Per the FDA, chicken is cooked through at 165 degrees F, but its temperature will continue to rise after it is removed from the oven.)
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Remove from the oven, spoon 2 tablespoons of sauce over each piece of chicken, and top with a slice of mozzarella cheese. Return to the oven and bake until the cheese is melted, about 3-5 additional minutes.
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Sprinkle with basil and enjoy immediately, topped with extra sauce as desired.
- TO STORE: This recipe is best enjoyed the day it is baked, but leftovers can be refrigerated in an airtight storage container for up to 2 days.
- TO REHEAT: Leftover chicken can be reheated in a lightly greased pan over medium heat.
Serving: 1piece with sauce and cheese (does not include pasta)Calories: 381kcalCarbohydrates: 16gProtein: 50gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.02gCholesterol: 133mgPotassium: 828mgFiber: 1gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 404IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 326mgIron: 2mg
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