Description
Crispy Baked Chicken Dinner with Golden Parmesan Crust. Get juicy, crunchy chicken with ease. Your family will love this simple recipe!
Ingredients
Scale
- Main Ingredients:
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 3-4, sliced horizontally into cutlets)
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup Panko breadcrumbs
- Flavor Boosters:
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp paprika (sweet or smoked)
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme
- 1/2 tsp salt (or to taste)
- 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper (or to taste)
- Finishing Touches:
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish, optional)
Instructions
- Prep Your Chicken & Oven:: First things first, get your oven preheating to 400°F (200°C). While that’s warming up, let’s talk chicken. I like to slice my boneless, skinless chicken breasts horizontally to make them thinner cutlets, usually about 1/2-inch thick. This helps them cook faster and more evenly, which means less dry chicken – a kitchen disaster I’ve encountered more times than I care to admit! Pat them super dry with paper towels; honestly, this is a game-changer for getting that crispy crust. Don’t skip this step, it really makes a difference!
- Mix Up Your Crispy Coating:: In a shallow dish – I usually grab one of my trusty pie plates – combine your Panko breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, dried thyme, a good pinch of salt, and some freshly ground black pepper. Give it a good stir with a fork until everything is well combined. This is your golden armor for the chicken! I’ve learned that really mixing it well ensures every bite of your Crispy Baked Chicken Dinner gets that full flavor, unlike that one time I rushed it and had clumps of just breadcrumbs, ha!
- Coat the Chicken Beautifully:: Now for the fun part! Drizzle a little olive oil over each chicken cutlet, just enough to lightly coat them. Then, dredge each piece of chicken thoroughly in your breadcrumb mixture. Press the coating onto the chicken firmly with your hands to make sure it really sticks. You want a thick, even layer on both sides. This is where the magic happens for that incredible Golden Parmesan Crust! I sometimes get a bit messy here, but it’s worth it for the crunch.
- Arrange on the Baking Sheet:: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper – seriously, it makes cleanup so much easier, and who needs more dishes? Place the coated chicken cutlets in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet, making sure they’re not touching. Giving them space allows the air to circulate, which is key for getting them perfectly crispy. If they’re too crowded, they’ll steam instead of crisp, and we definitely don’t want soggy chicken, right?
- Bake Until Golden and Crispy:: Pop that baking sheet into your preheated oven. Bake for about 18-22 minutes, depending on the thickness of your chicken. You’re looking for a beautiful golden-brown crust and for the internal temperature to reach 165°F (74°C). I usually flip them once halfway through (around 10-12 minutes) to ensure both sides get that amazing crisp. Trust me, the smell that starts filling your kitchen around this time is absolutely divine. Just try not to open the oven door too much, patience is a virtue here!
- Rest, Garnish, and Serve Your Crispy Baked Chicken Dinner:: Once your chicken is beautifully golden and cooked through, pull it out of the oven. Let it rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before serving. This little rest is crucial; it allows the juices to redistribute, keeping your chicken moist and tender. If you skip this, sometimes the juices run out, and you end up with drier chicken. Garnish with a sprinkle of fresh parsley if you’re feeling fancy. Serve hot and enjoy your incredible Crispy Baked Chicken Dinner with Golden Parmesan Crust! It’s truly a winner.