Description
This Oven Baked Chicken Parmesan recipe offers a crispy, flavorful twist on the classic Italian favorite. Tender chicken breasts are coated with a Parmesan and Panko breadcrumb crust, baked to perfection alongside nutritious frozen broccoli, then topped with marinara sauce and melted mozzarella cheese for a deliciously comforting meal. Garnished with fresh basil, this simple yet satisfying dish is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken:
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup Panko breadcrumbs
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
For the Vegetables and Toppings:
- 10 ounces frozen broccoli (1 bag)
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 1 cup freshly shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup finely chopped fresh basil
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 400°F and spray a baking sheet with nonstick spray to ensure the chicken doesn’t stick during baking. Set aside.
- Whisk the Egg: In a shallow bowl, whisk the egg until it’s well blended, which will act as the adhesive for the breadcrumb coating.
- Mix the Breadcrumbs: In a separate shallow bowl, combine Panko breadcrumbs, freshly grated Parmesan cheese, kosher salt, ground black pepper, and garlic powder to make a flavorful breading mixture.
- Coat the Chicken in Egg: Dip each chicken breast into the egg mixture, coating both sides thoroughly. Shake off any excess egg to prevent sogginess.
- Coat the Chicken in Breadcrumbs: Next, dip the egg-coated chicken breasts into the breadcrumb mixture, pressing firmly to ensure a thick, even coating on both sides. Place the coated chicken breasts on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat this process for all four pieces.
- Initial Bake: Lightly spray the coated chicken breasts with olive oil or baking spray. Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes to start cooking the chicken and crisping the coating.
- Add Broccoli and Continue Baking: Remove the baking sheet from the oven. Add the frozen broccoli evenly around the chicken breasts, breaking apart any clumps and spreading as flatly as possible over the sheet, even if some pieces overlap. Return the baking sheet to the oven and bake for an additional 5 minutes.
- Add Sauce and Cheese: Take the baking sheet out again and spread marinara sauce evenly over each chicken breast. Top with shredded mozzarella cheese. Return the tray to the oven and bake for 3-4 minutes until the cheese melts fully. For a bubbly, slightly crisp finish, switch the oven to broil for about 2 minutes, keeping a close eye to avoid burning the cheese or vegetables.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from the oven, sprinkle chopped fresh basil over the chicken and broccoli, and serve immediately while hot and flavorful.
Notes
- Use Panko breadcrumbs for extra crispy texture.
- Frozen broccoli can be swapped for fresh if preferred; adjust baking times accordingly.
- Broiling at the end is optional but recommended for a bubbly cheese finish.
- Make sure to watch the broiler closely to prevent burning.
- For a low-sodium version, reduce or omit salt and choose low-sodium marinara sauce.
