Easy Parmesan Crusted Chicken Recipe

Okay, buckle up buttercups, because I’m about to drop my easy parmesan Crusted chicken Recipe! This isn’t just any chicken, it’s the kind that gets devoured in approximately 7.2 seconds flat. It’s crispy, cheesy, and honestly, almost too easy to make. If you’re looking for a weeknight dinner that doesn’t involve tears or takeout menus, this is it.
My husband? Obsessed. My kids? They actually eat it! We’re talking clean plates, people! The first time I made this, I wasn’t even planning on it. I had some chicken breasts that were this close to their expiration date, a pathetic-looking hunk of parmesan, and a prayer. Boom. This recipe was born. Now, it’s in the regular rotation, and honestly, I think they’d riot if I tried to take it off the menu.
Why You’ll Love This Easy parmesan crusted chicken recipe
- It’s faster than ordering pizza (and probably healthier, let’s be real).
- The parmesan crust is seriously addictive. Like, fight-your-family-for-the-last-piece addictive.
- Even picky eaters will inhale it. I swear, it’s magic.
- You probably have most of the ingredients already.
- Cleanup is a breeze – because who has time for dishes after a long day?
How to Make It
Alright, listen up, here’s how we do this thing. First, grab your chicken breasts. Pat ’em dry with a paper towel, because soggy chicken is a NO. Then, in a bowl, you’re gonna whisk together some mayo (yes, mayo!), parmesan cheese (the good stuff, if you have it), garlic powder, onion powder, italian seasoning (don’t skimp!), salt, and pepper. Mix it all up real good – it should look like a thick, cheesy paste.
Now, slather that mixture all over your chicken. Get it nice and coated on both sides. Don’t be shy! Next, lay those bad boys on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Parchment paper is your friend. It keeps things from sticking and makes cleanup a dream.
Pop that sheet into a preheated oven (375°F/190°C) and bake for about 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the crust is golden brown and crispy. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C). If you don’t have a meat thermometer, just cut into the thickest part – if the juices run clear, you’re good to go. If not, pop it back in for a few more minutes.
Let it rest for a couple of minutes before slicing and serving. This is important! Letting it rest keeps the juices inside, so you don’t end up with dry chicken. And there you have it – Easy Parmesan crusted chicken! Boom!
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Ingredient Notes
- Chicken Breasts: Gotta have ’em! I usually go for boneless, skinless because, well, convenience. But bone-in, skin-on would probably be amazing too, just adjust the cooking time.
- Mayonnaise: Yes, mayonnaise. Trust me. It’s the secret ingredient that keeps the chicken moist and helps the parmesan stick. Don’t knock it ’til you try it! I prefer the full-fat stuff, but light mayo works in a pinch.
- Parmesan Cheese: The real deal, please! Not that green-can stuff. Freshly grated is best, but pre-shredded is fine if you’re in a rush (like I usually am).
- Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Italian Seasoning, Salt & Pepper: These are your flavor buddies. Don’t be afraid to get a little heavy-handed – nobody likes bland chicken! And honestly, if you are missing one… eh. It’ll still taste pretty darn good!
Recipe Steps:
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Pat chicken breasts dry.
- Whisk together mayonnaise, parmesan cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
- Slather the mixture on both sides of the chicken breasts.
- Place chicken on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through.
- Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before slicing and serving.
What to Serve It With
Honestly, this chicken goes with everything. Roasted veggies? Check. Salad? Check. Mashed potatoes? Double-check! Rice? Quinoa? Breadsticks? Yep, yep, and yep. I’ve even been known to just eat it straight up with a side of hot sauce. No judgment.
Tips & Mistakes
- Don’t overcook the chicken! Dry chicken is sad chicken. Use a meat thermometer to be sure.
- If the parmesan crust starts to brown too quickly, loosely tent the baking sheet with foil.
- Don’t overcrowd the baking sheet. If your chicken breasts are huge, you might need to bake them in batches.
- I once tried using dried herbs instead of Italian seasoning. It was… fine. But the Italian seasoning is definitely better. Learn from my mistakes!
Storage Tips
Okay, so, if you actually have leftovers (which is a miracle in my house), store them in an airtight container in the fridge. They’ll be good for about 3-4 days. You can reheat them in the oven, microwave, or even eat them cold. Cold parmesan chicken on a sandwich? Don’t knock it ’til you try it. I’ve even been known to sneak a piece for breakfast. Don’t tell anyone.
Variations and Substitutions
Alright, let’s get real – sometimes you gotta make do with what you got. If you don’t have parmesan, asiago or pecorino romano will work in a pinch. If you’re out of mayo (gasp!), plain Greek yogurt can sub, but it’ll be a little tangier. I once used Dijon mustard when I was out of mayo AND yogurt. It was… interesting. Not my favorite, but hey, it worked. You can also add a dash of red pepper flakes for a little kick! I skip the salt sometimes, just because of the parmesan, so feel free to taste the mixture before you add salt!
Frequently Asked Questions

Easy Parmesan Crusted Chicken Recipe
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 4 pieces chicken breasts boneless and skinless
- 0.5 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs beaten
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese finely grated
- 0.5 cup breadcrumbs Italian seasoned
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper freshly ground
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter unsalted
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley chopped for garnish
Instructions
Preparation Steps
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness.
- Prepare three shallow dishes: one with flour, one with beaten eggs, and one with a mixture of Parmesan cheese and breadcrumbs.
- Season the chicken with salt and pepper. Dredge first in flour, then in the egg, and finally in the Parmesan breadcrumb mixture.
- Heat olive oil and butter in a skillet over medium heat. Cook the chicken until golden brown on both sides, about 3-4 minutes per side.
- Transfer the chicken to a baking sheet and finish cooking in the oven for 10-15 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Garnish with chopped fresh parsley before serving.