Baked Chicken Parmesan

Our easy Baked Chicken Parmesan is a classic recipe that every member of the family will enjoy. Be sure to read through our pro tips and freezer meal methods to save yourself time and money!

Not only is Chicken Parmesan my favorite dish from my childhood, but it’s a family favorite around my house now, too.  It’s also one of the first meals I ever learned to cook on my own, because it’s so simple and yummy.

If you couldn’t tell already, we have a thing for Chicken Parmesan Recipes. Here are a few variations of this classic recipe:

• Slow Cooker Chicken Parmesan Sliders
• Instant Pot Chicken Parmesan Sliders
• Chicken Parmesan Casserole

I mean, can you blame us for coming up with all sorts of ways to combine the delicious flavors of breaded chicken, marinara, and cheese? I think not.

A Few Cooking Tips

1. Avoid Food Poisoning

You can definitely get sick from raw or undercooked chicken.  So, be sure to keep all the raw chicken and the surfaces it touches away from everything else. Use a disinfectant spray or hot soapy water to wash your counter.  Be sure to wash your hands with warm, soapy water immediately after handling.

2. Prepare Well

Read over the entire recipe carefully and make sure you understand all the steps before starting. Then, collect all the tools you’ll need.  Here’s what you’ll need:

• plastic wrap
• 9×13 dish or baking sheet
• Cooking spray or vegetable oil
• Two shallow dishes or bowls
• Spoon
• Measuring cups

Work Ahead of Time:

You can bread the chicken ahead of time and put them in the fridge (for up to a day or so) until you’re ready to cook them. If you do this, set them out on the counter for about 10 minutes before putting them in the oven to take the chill off.

What Ingredients Do I Need for Baked Chicken Parmesan?

Here is what you’ll need to make this easy-peasy recipe. You probably have all of the ingredients already!

• Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• Salt and pepper
• Egg
• A splash of water (or milk)
• Dried bread crumbs (you can use Italian seasoned bread crumbs, whole wheat, or Panko bread crumbs)
• Grated Parmesan cheese
• Marinara sauce (Here is how to make your own marinara in the crockpot)
• Shredded Mozzarella cheese

Now, let’s get down to business. You’ll need about 10-15 minutes to prepare the chicken and another 25-30 minutes to bake it. Just follow these steps:

1) Preheat oven to 350°F.

2) Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish or pan with cooking spray and set aside. (Or you can cover it in foil or parchment paper for easy cleanup.)

3) Cut the chicken in half lengthwise, creating chicken cutlets. So now your two chicken breasts have transformed into 4 thinner chicken breasts.

4)  Sprinkle the front and back of each chicken breast with salt and pepper.

5) In a shallow dish, whisk together egg and splash of milk. In another shallow dish combine bread crumbs and Parmesan cheese.

6) Dip chicken breasts, one at a time, in egg mixture, turning to coat. Allow excess to drip off.  Then dip chicken pieces in breadcrumb mixture, turning to coat.  Shake off the excess.

7) Place breaded chicken in greased 9×13 casserole dish and bake at 350° F for about 20-25 minutes, until it is no longer pink in the middle or the juices run clear.  (The chicken is done when it registers 165°F internally or the juices run clear.)

8) Top each chicken breast with a generous spoonful of marinara sauce. Spread sauce around the top of each piece of chicken.  Then, sprinkle a few tablespoons of mozzarella cheese over the top of each piece, as well. It’s hard to overdo the sauce and cheese, so go for it. (I actually probably underdid it in my pictures!)

9) Put chicken back in the oven for 5 minutes, until cheese is melted.  Serve warm over pasta.

Can I Freeze Baked Chicken Parmesan?

Like many of our amazing freezer meals, we have provided methods to prep this meal ahead and freeze for later.

Freeze For Later: Bread the chicken and place in a single layer in a gallon-sized freezer bag or casserole dish. Seal the bag or tightly wrap the dish. Separately bag the marinara and cheese and freeze along with the breaded chicken.

Prepare From Frozen: When ready to eat, thaw the meal components in the fridge overnight. Or for a quick defrost method: Thaw chicken in the microwave on the defrost setting. Run the frozen marinara bag under warm water to defrost. Do not defrost the cheese. Then, bake the chicken as directed.

What to Serve with Baked Chicken Parmesan

I usually serve this dish with some whole wheat pasta (like angel hair, egg noodles, etc) that has been tossed with butter and Parmesan cheese.  A side salad, steamed veggie, and maybe some nice crusty bread would finish it nicely.