This is the best Chicken Parmesan! One juicy, baked chicken breast with a crisp coating smothered in rich tomato sauce and melted mozzarella cheese.
What Is Chicken Parmesan?
Chicken Parmesan, or Chicken Parmigiana, is an iconic, classic Italian-American dish that's both hearty and comforting. Chicken Parmesan is easy to make and can be ready in just 30 minutes! This single serving recipe features one tender and juicy boneless, skinless chicken breast with a crispy coating that's oven-baked to perfection. The chicken is topped with tomato sauce and plenty of melted mozzarella cheese. Enjoy it over a bed of pasta or rice, or enjoy the baked chicken on its own.
The dish originates from Melanzane alla Parmigiana, which is a classic Italian dish featuring eggplant layered with tomato sauce and mozzarella cheese, otherwise known as Eggplant Parmesan.
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Why This Recipe Works
- The chicken is extra juicy: Dry chicken and a soggy crust are typical in many versions of Chicken Parmesan, but not this one. Baking the chicken in high heat for a relatively short time helps it stay moist and juicy and prevents it from drying. We keep the exterior crunchy by replacing half of the bread crumbs, which are prone to getting soggy, with grated or shredded Parmesan cheese.
- Recipe doubles well: This easy Chicken Parmesan recipe can easily be doubled if you'd like to make extra. Just double the ingredient amounts and keep the baking time the same.
- An incredibly delicious 30-minute meal!: If you're looking for a meal that's intensely satisfying, filled with flavor, and can be ready in no time, Chicken Parmesan is your answer.
Ingredients
Ingredient Notes
See below for ways to use leftover ingredients.
- Chicken: Use 1 (5 to 6-ounce) boneless, skinless chicken breast.
- Breadcrumbs: I love using seasoned breadcrumbs but you can use unseasoned instead. If you use unseasoned breadcrumbs, taste the breadcrumbs after you add the seasonings called for in the recipe, and add a little more of any of the seasonings if you feel it necessary. Use store-bought or homemade breadcrumbs.
- Cheese: Use Mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. I recommend shredding your own cheese rather than purchasing bagged pre-shredded cheese. The cheese will melt better when freshly shredded. Pre-shredded cheese contains preservatives that help to keep the shreds of cheese from clumping in the bag. This means that the cheese doesn't melt as well.
- Seasonings: I like using salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning. The main herbs in Italian seasoning are basil, oregano, thyme, and rosemary. If you don't have Italian seasoning, use one or two of these herbs instead.
- Butter: Use salted or unsalted butter.
- Marinara sauce: Use store-bought or homemade Marinara sauce or tomato sauce.
- Parsley(optional): For topping.
How To Make Chicken Parmesan For One
See the recipe box below for ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions.
- Heat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
- In a medium-sized bowl, combine breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Set aside.
- Melt butter in a separate medium-sized bowl. Dip the chicken in the melted butter and coat both sides.
- Dredge the chicken in the breadcrumb mixture, making sure both sides are well coated.
- Transfer the chicken to a lightly greased 5x7-inch baking dish and pour the remaining butter from the dish over the chicken. Bake for 20 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through and registers between 150° to 155° F on an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center of the chicken.
- Remove from the oven and spoon the sauce over the chicken. Top with mozzarella cheese and Parmesan cheese.
- Return the chicken to the oven and bake for another 5-10 minutes, until the chicken registers 165°F with an instant-read thermometer and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Transfer the baked Chicken Parmesan to a plate and serve with pasta, if desired and top with chopped parsley.
Pro Tip: If you'd like to enjoy a glass of wine with your meal, consider a Sangiovese, Pinot Noir, or a Barbera. In my opinion, these are the best wines to serve with Chicken Parmesan.
Expert Tips
- Read through the entire recipe before beginning. This easy Baked Chicken Parmesan comes together quickly. Be sure to read through the recipe, review the ingredient notes, and gather your ingredients before starting.
- To make low-carb Chicken Parmesan, omit the bread crumbs and season with the spices recommended in the recipe, and Parmesan cheese.
- Let the chicken rest. After removing the chicken from the oven, cover it with a sheet of aluminum foil for at least 5 minutes, or up to 10 minutes before serving so that the juices will soak back into the meat rather than pouring out as you cut it or bite into it. This will ensure that your Chicken Parmesan is juicy.
- I like to keep chicken pieces in my freezer so that I can pull one out, defrost it, and cook it when I want it. Look for chicken breasts (or thighs) and purchase them when they’re on sale. Then, immediately divide, individually wrap, and freeze the pieces for later use.
- The USDA recommends freezing chicken breasts no longer than nine months for optimal quality so be sure to record the “frozen on” date on your packages of chicken.
- Visit our store to browse quality small baking dishes, including the 5x7-inch dish.
Frequently Asked Questions
I use a 5x7-inch baking dish when making a single serving of Chicken Parmesan. The dish we use in our recipes can be found on our store page.
Yes. Just double the ingredient amounts in this recipe.
Oven temperatures can vary so I always recommend using a meat thermometer to make sure meats are cooked through. Use the thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chicken. It should reach at least 165°F in the thickest part of the meat. If the chicken is not cooked through, continue to bake it in the oven until it reaches the correct temperature.
The best type of pasta to serve with Chicken Parmesan is the type you enjoy eating or have on hand. Typically, Chicken Parm is served with spaghetti but you can use rigatoni, penne, linguine, or your favorite pasta.
For a lighter version, serve baked Chicken Parmesan with zucchini noodles or spaghetti squash.
Serving Suggestions
Classic Chicken Parmesan is hearty enough on its own but is traditionally served over a bed of spaghetti or another type of pasta. You may like to serve your chicken with mashed potatoes, rice, or with sautéed vegetables.
How To Store Chicken Parmesan
Store leftover Chicken Parmesan in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Baked Chicken Parmesan can also be frozen for up to 2 months in an airtight container.
To reheat from frozen, thaw the chicken overnight in the refrigerator. Heat in an oven preheated to 350 degree F until completely heated through or the chicken can be reheated in the microwave.
Chicken Parmesan Variations
- For wheat allergies use gluten-free breadcrumbs for your chicken. Buy gluten-free pasta to serve with your Chicken Parmesan.
- Instead of using shredded mozzarella, use sliced fresh mozzarella on top of the chicken.
- Make a Chicken Parmesan Sub by serving the chicken with its sauce and cheese on a toasted hoagie roll.
- Make a lettuce wrap: Cook the Chicken Parmesan, slice it into strips and add it to a lettuce wrap for a lighter option.
Ways To Use Leftover Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this easy Chicken Parmesan recipe, you might like to consider using them in any of these single serving and small batch recipes.
- Chicken: Baked Buffalo Chicken, Chicken Fajitas, Chicken Margherita, Chicken Caprese, Chicken Alfredo
- Breadcrumbs: Creamed Spinach, Mini Meatloaf, Chicken Cordon Bleu, Swedish Meatballs, Buffalo Chicken Tenders
- Parmesan cheese: Chili Mac, Mushroom Pasta, Pasta Carbonara, Smashed Brussels Sprouts, Bacon, Egg and Cheese Cup
- Mozzarella cheese: Pizza Bowl, Caprese Salad, Eggplant Parmesan, Baked Ziti, Hot Spinach Dip
- Italian seasoning: Baked Shrimp, Turkey Tenderloin, Ratatouille, Chicken and Rice Casserole, Stuffed Peppers
- Garlic powder: Hash Browns, Cheese Grits, Baked Pork Chop, Ranch Dressing, Steak Fajitas
- Marinara sauce: Spinach Manicotti, Baked Penne With Roasted Vegetables, Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls, Giant Italian Meatball, Hamburger Casserole
For examples of the dishes used at One Dish Kitchen, please visit our Store page.
If you’ve tried this easy Chicken Parmesan recipe or any recipe on One Dish Kitchen please let me know how you liked it by rating the recipe and telling me about it in the comment section below.
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Recipe
Chicken Parmesan For One
See the post above for expert tips,
FAQs and ways to use leftover ingredients.
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons seasoned breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons shredded Parmesan cheese , divided
- ¼ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ⅛ teaspoon garlic powder
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons butter , melted
- 1 (6-ounce) boneless skinless chicken breast
- ¼ cup Marinara sauce
- 1 ounce Mozzarella cheese (shredded or sliced)
- Optional for topping: chopped parsley
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
- In a medium-sized bowl, combine breadcrumbs, 1 tablespoon of Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Set aside.
- Melt the butter in a separate medium-sized bowl. Dip the chicken in the melted butter and coat both sides.
- Dredge the chicken in the breadcrumb mixture, making sure both sides are well coated.
- Transfer the chicken to a lightly greased 5x7-inch baking dish and pour the remaining melted butter from the dish over the chicken. Bake for 20 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through and registers between 150° to 155° F on an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center of the chicken.
- Remove from the oven and spoon the sauce over the chicken. Top with mozzarella cheese and 1 tablespoon of Parmesan cheese.
- Return the chicken to the oven and bake for another 5-10 minutes, until the chicken registers 165°F with an instant-read thermometer and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Remove the chicken from the oven, cover, and let the chicken rest for 5 to 10 minutes. Then, transfer the baked Chicken Parmesan to a plate and serve with pasta, if desired and top with chopped parsley.
Notes
- Read through the entire recipe before beginning. This easy Baked Chicken Parmesan comes together quickly. Be sure to read through the recipe, review the ingredient notes, and gather your ingredients before starting.
- To make low-carb Chicken Parmesan, omit the bread crumbs and season with the spices recommended in the recipe, and Parmesan cheese.
- Let the chicken rest. After removing the chicken from the oven, cover it with a sheet of aluminum foil for at least 5 minutes, or up to 10 minutes before serving so that the juices will soak back into the meat rather than pouring out as you cut it or bite into it. This will ensure that your Chicken Parmesan is juicy.
- I like to keep chicken pieces in my freezer so that I can pull one out, defrost it, and cook it when I want it. Look for chicken breasts (or thighs) and purchase them when they’re on sale. Then, immediately divide, individually wrap, and freeze the pieces for later use.
- The USDA recommends freezing chicken breasts no longer than nine months for optimal quality so be sure to record the “frozen on” date on your packages of chicken.
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
Celeste says
I am planning to make this tonight. My question is: where does the Trans Fat come from in this recipe??? I saw another recipe for a white bean soup that also showed Trans Fats. I know they are small amounts, but I would still like to know. Thx!!
kathleen allen says
This was really delicious and easy. Thank you!
Kathy
J.Hegyi says
Super recipe.