Description
Golden Baked Provolone Chicken is a delicious and family-friendly dish featuring tender, seasoned chicken breasts topped with a crispy Parmesan breadcrumb crust and melted provolone cheese. This easy-to-make oven-baked recipe is perfect for a comforting dinner that everyone will love.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Cheese & Topping
- 4 slices provolone cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup Italian-style breadcrumbs
Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Other
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (or melted butter)
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a baking dish or line it with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Prepare chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels and season both sides with salt, black pepper, and paprika evenly.
- Make breadcrumb mixture: In a small bowl, combine grated Parmesan cheese, Italian-style breadcrumbs, garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Drizzle in olive oil or melted butter and stir until the mixture is slightly crumbly and holds together lightly.
- Coat chicken: Place the seasoned chicken breasts in the prepared baking dish. Evenly sprinkle the Parmesan-breadcrumb mixture on top of each breast, gently pressing it to adhere.
- Initial baking: Bake the chicken for 20-25 minutes or until it is nearly cooked through, reaching an internal temperature of around 160°F (71°C).
- Add provolone cheese: Remove the chicken from the oven and immediately place one slice of provolone cheese on top of each breast. Return the dish to the oven and bake for an additional 5-7 minutes until the cheese melts and turns golden.
- Garnish and serve: Once the cheese is melted and golden, take the chicken out of the oven. Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley on top for garnish and serve the chicken hot.
Notes
- For extra crispiness, broil the chicken for 1-2 minutes after adding the provolone cheese, watching carefully to prevent burning.
- You can substitute provolone with mozzarella or Swiss cheese if preferred.
- Use melted butter instead of olive oil in the breadcrumb mixture for a richer flavor.
- Ensure the internal temperature reaches at least 160°F to maintain juiciness without overcooking.
- Serve with steamed vegetables, rice, or a fresh salad for a balanced meal.
