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Parmesan Crusted Chicken

Parmesan Crusted Chicken
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Parmesan Crusted Chicken features tender chicken breasts coated in a golden, crispy crust of freshly grated Parmesan cheese, panko breadcrumbs, and aromatic herbs. Ready in under 30 minutes, this flavorful and protein-packed dish offers a perfect balance of crunch and savory richness, making it an ideal quick and healthy dinner option for families and friends.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, pounded evenly to about 1/2 inch thickness
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste

Breading Mix

  • 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 cup panko bread crumbs (or regular breadcrumbs, or crushed gluten-free crackers for gluten-free option)
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste

Coating and Cooking

  • 2 large eggs, whisked
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil or butter

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Chicken: Gently pound the boneless, skinless chicken breasts to an even thickness of about 1/2 inch to ensure they cook evenly and remain juicy. Season both sides generously with salt and pepper to enhance their natural flavor.
  2. Set Up Your Breading Station: In one shallow bowl, whisk the eggs until smooth. In another bowl, combine the freshly grated Parmesan cheese, panko bread crumbs, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly to create the flavorful crust mixture.
  3. Coat the Chicken: Dip each chicken breast into the whisked eggs, allowing any excess to drip off. Then press the chicken firmly into the Parmesan breadcrumb mixture, ensuring each piece is evenly coated to achieve the best crispy texture.
  4. Cook to Golden Perfection: Heat olive oil or butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Carefully add the coated chicken breasts and cook for 4 to 5 minutes on each side, or until the crust turns a gorgeous golden brown and the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature 165°F/74°C).
  5. Rest and Serve: Remove the chicken from the skillet and allow it to rest for a few minutes. Resting helps retain juices, ensuring each bite is tender and moist before slicing or plating.

Notes

  • Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for the best melting and crisping effect.
  • Do not overcrowd the pan while cooking; cook in batches if necessary to maintain crispiness and even browning.
  • Ensure chicken breasts are pounded to an even thickness for uniform cooking and tenderness.
  • Let the chicken rest after cooking so juices redistribute for a moist bite every time.
  • For a healthier variation, bake the coated chicken on a wire rack in the oven instead of frying to keep the crust crunchy.
  • To make the crust extra crispy, make sure the oil is hot before adding chicken and consider briefly broiling after cooking if needed.

Nutrition

Keywords: Parmesan Crusted Chicken, crispy chicken, quick chicken recipe, cheesy chicken, gluten free chicken, easy dinner, pan-fried chicken

Find it online: https://mealsbymary.com/parmesan-crusted-chicken/