Easy Crispy Dump-and-Bake Chicken Parmesan
A quick and easy chicken parmesan recipe that delivers crispy breaded chicken baked with marinara sauce and melted mozzarella cheese, perfect for busy weeknights and comforting family dinners.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs / 680 g)
- 1 ½ cups Italian breadcrumbs (150 g), Panko preferred
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese (50 g)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning (or mix of basil, oregano, thyme)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 2 cups marinara sauce (475 ml)
- 1 ½ cups shredded or sliced mozzarella cheese (150 g)
- Fresh basil, chopped (optional)
- Olive oil spray or drizzle
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Pat chicken breasts dry with paper towels.
- In a shallow bowl, combine Italian breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan, garlic powder, dried Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
- In another bowl, whisk the eggs until smooth.
- Dip each chicken breast into the egg wash, letting excess drip off, then press into the breadcrumb mixture until fully coated. Repeat for all chicken breasts.
- Lightly spray or drizzle olive oil over the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish. Place coated chicken breasts side-by-side with space between them.
- Spoon marinara sauce generously over each chicken breast, then top evenly with shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Optionally, sprinkle chopped fresh basil over the cheese.
- Bake in preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and cheese is melted and bubbly.
- For extra crispy topping, broil for 2-3 minutes at the end, watching closely to avoid burning.
- Let the dish rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
Pat chicken dry before coating for better adhesion and crispiness. Press breadcrumbs firmly onto chicken to avoid patchy coating. Use Panko breadcrumbs for extra crunch. Lightly coat with olive oil before baking to achieve golden crust. Broil briefly at the end for crispier cheese topping. Pound thicker chicken breasts to even thickness for even cooking. Freshly grated Parmesan improves flavor over pre-grated.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast wit
- Calories: 450
- Fat: 18
- Carbohydrates: 20
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 45
Keywords: chicken parmesan, easy chicken recipe, dump and bake, crispy chicken, Italian comfort food, quick dinner, family meal