Description
Garlic Parmesan Chicken Bake: Tender, juicy chicken breasts smothered in garlicky, cheesy goodness. Your easy, flavorful baked chicken dinner!
Ingredients
Scale
- Main Ingredients:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs total)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- Flavor Boosters:
- 4–5 cloves fresh garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 tsp dried Italian herbs
- Seasonings:
- 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)
Instructions
- Prep Your Chicken:: First things first, let’s get that chicken ready for its cheesy bath! Pat those chicken breasts super dry with paper towels. Seriously, this step is key for a crispy coating – I learned that the hard way, remember? If your chicken breasts are super thick, you can gently pound them to an even 3/4-inch thickness. This ensures they cook evenly. I like to lay them between two pieces of plastic wrap and use a rolling pin. It’s a bit of a workout, but worth it!
- Mix the Flavorful Coating:: In a shallow dish, combine your panko breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, minced fresh garlic, dried Italian herbs, and a good pinch of salt and pepper. Give it a good stir with a fork until everything is well combined. This is where the magic happens, hon! I always take a deep sniff here – that garlicky, herby, cheesy aroma is just divine. Make sure there are no big clumps of garlic, or someone might get an unexpected flavor bomb!
- Coat the Chicken:: Now, grab another shallow dish and pour in your olive oil. Take each chicken breast, dredge it in the olive oil, making sure it’s lightly coated all over. Then, transfer it to the panko-Parmesan mixture, pressing firmly to adhere the coating to both sides. I always get my fingers a little messy here, but that’s part of the fun of making this dish! Lay the coated chicken breasts in a single layer in your prepared baking dish.
- Add the Butter & Bake:: Melt your unsalted butter. You can do this in the microwave for about 30 seconds or in a small saucepan. Drizzle this melted butter evenly over the coated chicken breasts. This little step is what gives them that beautiful golden-brown finish and extra tender texture. Pop the dish into your preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) and let it bake for about 20-25 minutes. Oh, the smells that will start wafting through your kitchen – it’s heavenly!
- Check for Doneness:: After about 20 minutes, grab your meat thermometer. This is my secret weapon for perfectly cooked chicken every time! Insert it into the thickest part of the chicken breast. You’re looking for an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). If it’s not quite there, give it a few more minutes, checking every couple of minutes. Don’t overcook it, or it’ll be dry, and nobody wants that! This chicken bake deserves tender chicken.
- Rest & Serve Your Garlic Parmesan Chicken Bake:: Once cooked, pull that gorgeous Garlic Parmesan Chicken Bake out of the oven. Let it rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing or serving. This allows the juices to redistribute, keeping the chicken super moist and flavorful. While it rests, I usually chop up some fresh parsley for garnish. A little sprinkle on top makes it look so inviting and adds a fresh pop of color. Enjoy your delicious, homemade meal!