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Healthy Baked Chicken Parmesan Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.3 from 72 reviews
  • Author: Kimberly
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Italian
  • Diet: Low Fat

Description

This Healthy Baked Chicken Parmesan recipe offers a lighter take on the classic Italian comfort food by using a crispy breadcrumb coating and baking instead of frying. Tender chicken breasts are coated in a flavorful mixture of crushed crackers, Parmesan cheese, and Italian seasoning, then baked to golden perfection before topping with marinara sauce and melted mozzarella. Perfectly balanced and satisfying, this dish is a wholesome weeknight dinner option that pairs beautifully with your favorite pasta.

Ingredients

Chicken and Coating

  • 3 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts, butterflied and pounded to ½-inch thickness
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 cup finely crushed cracker crumbs or breadcrumbs (such as almond flour crackers)
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning

Toppings

  • 2 cups marinara sauce
  • 8 oz log of mozzarella cheese, sliced into ½-inch thick slices

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
  2. Prepare Egg Wash and Coating Mixture: In one bowl, whisk the eggs until smooth. In a separate bowl, mix together the crushed crackers or breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning.
  3. Bread the Chicken: Dip each butterflied and pounded chicken breast first into the egg wash, allowing any excess to drip off, then thoroughly coat it in the crumb mixture, pressing gently to adhere.
  4. Bake the Chicken: Place the breaded chicken breasts on the prepared baking sheet in a single layer. Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes until the chicken is nearly cooked through and the coating begins to crisp.
  5. Add Sauce and Cheese, Finish Baking: Remove the baking sheet from the oven. Spoon marinara sauce evenly over each chicken breast, then top with slices of mozzarella cheese. Return to the oven and bake for an additional 5 minutes.
  6. Broil for Melty Cheese: Switch the oven setting to broil. Broil the chicken for 3-4 minutes, watching closely to ensure the cheese melts completely and becomes bubbly and slightly golden without burning.
  7. Serve: Carefully remove from the oven and serve the baked chicken Parmesan hot, ideally over your favorite cooked pasta for a complete meal.

Notes

  • For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free crushed crackers or almond flour crackers as suggested.
  • Be sure to watch the chicken closely during the broiling step to prevent the cheese from burning.
  • Butterflying and pounding the chicken breasts to an even thickness ensures even cooking and tender results.
  • You can prepare the breaded chicken ahead and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking.
  • If you prefer a crispier crust, add a light spray of olive oil on the breaded chicken before baking.

Find it online: https://slsrecipes.com/healthy-baked-chicken-parmesan-recipe/