This Parmesan Crusted Chicken Recipe is so Good! (2024)

Cincy Shopper By Ingredient Chicken

By Jen Cincyshopper

on Jan 09, 2023, Updated Jan 29, 2024

137 Comments

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This Parmesan Crusted Chicken is an easy meal idea. We use pounded thin chicken breasts, coat in a delicious Parmesan coating, and then fried to make them crispy. Add this chicken idea to your dinner this week.

This is one of our favorite chicken dinner recipes: crispy chicken breast pan-fried to perfection! Serve up with some Garlic Green Beans and The Best Mashed Potatoes.

Why You’ll Love This Parmesan Crusted Chicken

  • It requires only a few ingredients and is a quick chicken recipe.
  • It is restaurant quality, yet kid friendly.
  • This recipe makes for a tender juicy chicken with a crunchy crust.
  • It makes for a super simple weeknight meal. No oven, no baking sheet, no Panko bread crumbs or regular breadcrumbs, no flour.

If there’s one thing everybody hates, it’s bland and boring chicken breast. Chicken is a wonderful bit of poultry that- while lacking in flavor- definitely isn’t lacking in promise! You can use all sorts of different chicken seasoning blends and mixes to make a wide range of delicious chicken recipes. However, one of our favorite ways to make chicken taste better for a chicken dinner is to make some Parmesan Crusted Chicken.

You’ll find plenty of other recipes online for stuff like Longhorn Parmesan Crusted Chicken with mayo or ranch. For us, those recipes never worked as well as this one and they’re nowhere near as easy either. Keeping things simple like us ensures perfect chicken every time! Best of all, this recipe is also gluten-free and keto-friendly for all the folks who want some sort of keto breaded chicken.

This Parmesan Crusted Chicken Recipe is so Good! (4)

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Parmesan Crusted Chicken Ingredients

  • Chicken – We use a boneless chicken breast for our Parmesan Crusted Chicken.
  • Egg – Mixed with some water, this will make an egg wash- kind of like how you make a breaded chicken.
  • Salt & Pepper
  • Garlic – Feel free to use minced garlic from the jar here. In a pinch, you could use garlic powder.
  • Shredded Parmesan Cheese – We are using shredded parm here and not grated parmesan cheese. You can either shred parmesan by hand or you can find this pre-shredded parmesan in the can at the grocery store.
  • Butter & Olive Oil – We really like pan-frying our crusted chicken in this blend of butter and olive oil. Feel free to try using all butter or all olive oil for pan-frying, or mess around with other oils and see if you like the flavor!

How to Make a Parmesan Crusted Chicken

We love this Parmesan Crusted Chicken recipe because it’s so easy to prep and make! To make some for yourself, here’s all you need to do:

  1. Butterfly larger chicken breasts in half before pounding out to 1/2″ thickness.
  2. Dredge or dip chicken cutlets in egg wash dish before coating thoroughly with shredded parmesan.
  3. Pan-fry breaded chicken in oil and butter over medium-high heat for 3 minutes on each side until golden brown. Plate and serve.

Variations for this Chicken Recipe

  • Try mixing something like Italian Seasoning in with the parm to make something like a Parmesan Herb Crusted Chicken.
  • You can also add onion powder to the parmesan cheese.
  • Not into breasts… try boneless chicken thighs for instead. They need to be pounded flat and cook slighly longer.

FAQs about Parmesan Crusted Chicken

Is this like Longhorn Parmesan Crusted Chicken?

The simple answer is no. Most of the recipes that claim to duplicate this aren’t fried at all. They prepare a mixture of ranch dressing, cheese and other ingredients. They then coat the chicken with the mixture and breadcrumbs and bake it.

Can you make this in an air fryer?

This recipe is not ideally suited for an air fryer. I would be concerned about the parmesan cheese sticking to the air fryer basket. If you are inclined to try this, I would recommend that you spray the basket with cooking spray or olive oil before you air fry, You might also want to add a 1/4 cup of panko breadcrumbs to enhance the crunch.

Can I bake this chicken recipe?

Technically, yes. The chicken will not come out as crispy or flavorful. You will need to use a baking sheet with a wire rack. Preheat oven to 400. Prepare as directed and place on prepared rack. Lightly spray chicken with olive oil or cooking spray. Bake until internal temperature reaches 165.

What can I serve with Parmesan Crusted Chicken?

Our Parmesan Crusted Chicken pairs great with all sorts of different side dishes. We recommend some good green vegetables- we love a bit of broccoli, some green beans, or some peas. With that, we also recommend a tasty starch or carbohydrate- maybe some macaroni or some mashed potatoes? You don’t even have to serve it up a dinner: grab a good sandwich roll, some marinara and cheese, and serve your chicken up like a Chicken Parmesan Sandwich.

Tips for Making the Parmesan Chicken

  • Be sure to use shredded Parmesan cheese. Grated Parmesan will NOT work.
  • Use butter because it really adds a great flavor to the chicken and allows it to cook so perfectly.
  • If your chicken breasts are thick, butterfly them. Butterflying chicken breast is easy: just cut it in half, kind of like a hamburger bun.
  • Pounding the chicken reduces cooking time and is they key to perfectly fried chicken.
  • When coating in the cheese, give the chicken a firm press before flipping and repeating. This helps the cheesy crust to stick to the chicken.
  • When frying chicken, press lightly with a spatula just before flipping.
  • If you attempt to peek and flip them too soon, the cheesy coating will not stick to your chicken.
  • Top the finished chicken with chopped fresh parsley leaves to dress it up a bit.

Other Delicious Chicken Recipes

  • For another tasty crusted chicken recipe, try our Potato Chip Crusted Chicken. These baked chicken cutlets are tenderized and hit with a thick coating of crushed potato chips. A super easy chicken dinner recipe that you can mix and match flavors in- just change the chips!
  • If you want something a bit more sweet and spicy, try some Firecracker Chicken- or, as we call it, Red Hot Chicken. Baked chicken strips are basted with a delicious sweet and spicy sauce made from ketchup, sugar, and hot sauce. So simple to make and pretty inexpensive too- this one’s a big family favorite!
  • Of course, if you need something warm and comforting, we have to recommend our Chicken Pot Pie Casserole. We keep this recipe simple by using a few choice ready-made ingredients: some canned crescent roll dough, some frozen veggies, and some rotisserie chicken. These ingredients, plus a few others, really help cut down on the prep time and help you get a rich filling meal ready in no time!

Did you make this recipe? If so, be sure to rate with a star rating and drop a comment below.

This Parmesan Crusted Chicken Recipe is so Good! (13)

4.80 from 64 votes

Parmesan Crusted Chicken

By: Jen CIncyshopper

This Parmesan Crusted Chicken is an easy meal idea. We use pounded thin chicken breasts, coat in a delicious Parmesan coating, and then fried to make them crispy. Add this chicken idea to your dinner this week.

Prep: 15 minutes mins

Cook: 7 minutes mins

Servings: 4

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Ingredients

  • 2 lb Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast
  • 1 Egg
  • 1 tbsp Water
  • 1 tsp minced Garlic
  • 1/2 tsp Salt
  • 1/2 tsp Black Pepper
  • 2 cup Shredded Parmesan Cheese
  • 4 tbsp Butter
  • 2 tbsp Olive Oil

Instructions

  • Cut each breast in half and pound to about 1/2″ thick.

  • Beat egg and water in a shallow bowl until blended.

  • Add garlic, salt and pepper and whisk to blend.

  • Place parmesan in another shallow bowl.

  • Dip each piece of chicken in egg mixture making sure to coat.

  • Allow excess egg to drip off.

  • Place in parmesan. Sprinkle more parmesan over top. Gently press, then turn and repeat on other side. Shake off excess. Repeat with remaining chicken.

  • Place butter and oil in a large skillet over medium high heat.

  • Place chicken and do not move until edges brown (so that cheese sticks to chicken, about 3 minutes).

  • Lightly press with spatula then turn over and again do not move until browned.

  • Lightly press with spatula and remove to serving plate.

Notes

  • Be sure to use shredded Parmesan cheese. Grated Parmesan will NOT work.
  • Use butter because it really adds a great flavor to the chicken and allows it to cook so perfectly.
  • If your chicken breasts are thick, butterfly them. Butterflying chicken breast is easy: just cut it in half, kind of like a hamburger bun.
  • Pounding the chicken reduces cooking time and is they key to perfectly fried chicken.
  • When coating in the cheese, give the chicken a firm press before flipping and repeating. This helps the cheesy crust to stick to the chicken.
  • When frying chicken, press lightly with a spatula just before flipping.
  • If you attempt to peek and flip them too soon, the cheesy coating will not stick to your chicken.
  • Top the finished chicken with chopped fresh parsley leaves to dress it up a bit.

Nutrition

Calories: 656kcal, Carbohydrates: 3g, Protein: 69g, Fat: 40g, Saturated Fat: 19g, Cholesterol: 261mg, Sodium: 1436mg, Potassium: 917mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 1g, Vitamin A: 915IU, Vitamin C: 3mg, Calcium: 575mg, Iron: 1mg

Like this recipe? Rate and comment below!

About Jen Cincyshopper

A lover of food and frugal living. A wife to a wonderful hubby, momma to 5 fun kiddos. Welcome to my blog. You will find REAL TASTY RECIPES. Be sure to subscribe to my email list and follow me on social media, to never miss a recipe.

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This Parmesan Crusted Chicken Recipe is so Good! (2024)

FAQs

Why is chicken parm good? ›

Chicken parmigiana encompasses everything we love about Italian food in one bite—the chicken's juicy interior, the crisp coating of the fried breadcrumbs on the meat's exterior, the bright and slightly sweet flavor of the rich tomato sauce, and the silky texture of the mozzarella, slightly browned under a broiler.

What is the difference between Chicken Parmesan and chicken parmigiana? ›

Brace yourself for this one—they're the same dish! Chicken Parmesan and chicken Parmigiana are just different names for the same exact recipe. And, with a name like “chicken Parmigiana”, you might assume that this recipe is Italian. While it has roots in Italy (in a way), chicken Parmesan is all-American.

How to get a good crust on chicken? ›

Dredge raw chicken in flour (your dry), then in egg (your wet), then in another dry (I personally prefer Panko Bread crumbs, but you can do it in flour again, or potato flakes, the choice is absolutely yours.

Where did Parmesan crusted chicken originate? ›

The dish, also known as "chicken parm", originated in the northeast United States from Italian immigrants, and became a popular staple in restaurants serving Italian-American cuisine by the 1950s. Home versions also grew in popularity.

Why is breaded chicken so good? ›

Done properly, deep-frying creates a satisfying contrast between the crispy-crunchy coating and tender chicken. But beyond that straightforward textural enjoyment, the crispness sends our brain a message that the food is in good condition.

What is the best pasta to serve with chicken parmesan? ›

A thicker, stout pasta shape, like a ridged rigatoni, works well with chicken parmesan because it matches the heft and satisfying texture of the protein.

Do they eat chicken parmesan in Italy? ›

Despite being a staple of Italian-American cuisine, “chicken parmesan” is nowhere to be found in Italy. Instead, Italians nosh on parmigiana – eggplant layered with tomato sauce and cheese.

Is cornstarch or baking soda better for crispy chicken? ›

When mixed with the flour, the cornstarch makes the flour coating crispier and gives it that golden brown color! (It has to do with prevention of gluten development.) The baking powder reacts with the oil and creates tiny air bubbles, which also helps form a crispy coating.

How does KFC get their chicken so crispy? ›

KFC deep fries its chicken for 15 minutes and then drains the oil off for another five minutes – 20 minutes in total. If you don't have a deep fryer, heat up plenty of oil in a large saucepan and do it that way.

Does baking powder make chicken crispy? ›

That trick is a sprinkling of baking powder, and it'll get you the crispiest, crackliest bites of fatty, salty skin imaginable, whether you're cooking just one thigh, a plate of wings, or an entire bird. Baking powder, it turns out, is good for quite a lot more than baking.

Why is chicken parmesan so good? ›

While pasta is a big part of chicken parmigiana, the show's star is the chicken (or eggplant if you prefer), which is breaded and fried. Since the main ingredient is covered in sauce and cheese, it's important to utilize a frying process that retains the crispy textures so desirable in the perfect chicken parm.

What is parmesan crust made of? ›

In a small mixing bowl, mash butter with a fork. Then add bread crumbs, parmesan, garlic and salt and pepper and smash together until well combined. Once ready, slice log in half. Then cut each half in half again.

What is a good side with chicken parm? ›

Mashed Potatoes: Buttery Mashed Potatoes are a comforting side dish that goes nicely with this Chicken Parmesan recipe. If you're looking for more flavor you can also try Garlic Mashed Potatoes!

How good is Parmesan good for? ›

Besides helping to strengthen your bones, calcium is a vital nutrient for maintaining healthy blood pressure. It helps your blood vessels contract and relax when they're supposed to. Just 1 ounce of Parmesan contains approximately 335 milligrams of calcium. That's about 26% of the daily recommended value for adults.

What makes a good Parmesan? ›

Do you know what makes. Parmigiano Reggiano® so good? Parmigiano Reggiano must be made with completely natural ingredients, using a centuries-old process, in a geographical area of Italy so carefully defined that you can make Parmigiano Reggiano in one area of Bologna but not another.

Why is Parmesan unique? ›

The cheese contains tiny crunchy granules which give it a very unique texture. The taste is slightly sharp, not unlike mildly sharp cheddar, but also very complex and layered, a bit fruity, though nutty is the predominant characteristic and most typical descriptive. It leaves a wonderful aftertaste on the tongue.

What is a fun fact about Chicken Parmesan? ›

The dish originated from 20th-century Italian diaspora. It has been speculated that the dish is based on a combination of the Italian melanzane alla Parmigiana, a dish using breaded eggplant slices instead of chicken, with a cotoletta, a breaded veal cutlet generally served without sauce or cheese in Italy.

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