Garlic Parmesan Chicken
Make dinner easy with this baked garlic Parmesan chicken recipe. It’s quick, flavorful, and pairs well with your favorite sides.
This garlic Parmesan chicken is always a popular choice, and it’s fast and easy enough for a weeknight meal. Garlic and Parmesan cheese team up with breadcrumbs to make a buttery, savory coating for boneless chicken breasts. The chicken breasts are dipped in butter and the coating mixture, and then, depending on the thickness of the pieces, they’re baked for 20 to 25 minutes.
Prepare this chicken for a quick dinner on a busy weeknight and serve it with mashed or roasted potatoes, fries, roasted garlic pasta, or rice. Or freshen it up and make it a little lighter with a salad. Or serve it over spaghetti with marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese for a quick chicken Parmigiana.
Why You’ll Love It
Quick prep. Just 5 minutes of hands-on time before it goes in the oven.
Crispy and flavorful. The buttery breadcrumb-Parmesan coating adds rich flavor and crunch.
Family favorite. A kid-friendly dinner with classic, comforting flavors.
Ingredient Notes
- Boneless chicken breasts: If large, slice in half horizontally to make cutlets or pound to even thickness.
- Butter: Adds richness and helps the coating stick.
- Minced garlic: Simmered in butter for mellow, savory flavor.
- Breadcrumbs: Use fine dry breadcrumbs for a crisp coating—plain or seasoned.
- Parmesan cheese: Freshly grated if possible for best flavor and texture.
- Parsley: Adds freshness and color to the coating and garnish.
- Salt and pepper: Enhances all the flavors.
Steps to Make Garlic Parmesan Chicken
- Prep the oven and pan: Heat the oven to 375°F and line a baking sheet with parchment.
- Make garlic butter: Simmer the butter and minced garlic together. Pour into a shallow bowl.
- Mix the coating: Combine breadcrumbs, Parmesan, parsley, salt, and pepper in a separate shallow dish.
- Coat the chicken: Dip each chicken piece into the garlic butter, then coat thoroughly with the breadcrumb mixture.
- Bake: Arrange chicken on the baking sheet and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Garnish and serve: Sprinkle with extra parsley and Parmesan, if desired. Serve hot with your favorite sides.
Tips for Juicy Baked Chicken
- Cut large chicken breasts in half or pound to an even thickness for faster, more even cooking.
- Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness—165°F is the safe internal temp for chicken.
- If using seasoned breadcrumbs, you can reduce the added salt slightly.
- To re-crisp leftovers, reheat uncovered in the oven or air fryer.
Recipe Variations
- Spicy: Add a dash of cayenne pepper to the coating, or add 1 1/2 teaspoons of Cajun or Creole seasoning and reduce the salt to 1/2 teaspoon. If the seasoning is salt-free, don’t reduce the salt.
- Smoky: Add 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika for color and smoky flavor.
- Herbs: Add 1 teaspoon of dry herb blend, such as herbes de Provence or Italian seasoning. Or add 1 tablespoon of fresh chopped herbs, such as thyme, chives, and sage.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve with mashed or roasted potatoes, rice, or garlic pasta.
- Add a fresh green salad or sautéed vegetables for a lighter meal.
- Pair with marinara sauce and spaghetti for a quick chicken Parmigiana.
- Use leftovers in sandwiches, wraps, or sliced over a Caesar salad.
How to Store and Reheat
Refrigerate: Store leftover chicken in an airtight container for 3 to 4 days. Cool completely before storing.
Freeze: Freeze individual pieces in freezer-safe containers or bags for up to 2 months. Reheat directly from frozen or thaw first.
To Reheat: Warm in a 350°F oven until heated through and crisp, or use an air fryer to restore the crispy coating.
Garlic Parmesan Chicken
Ingredients
- 4 to 6 chicken breasts, boneless
- 5 tablespoons butter
- 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
- 2/3 cup breadcrumbs, fine dry
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
- 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- Parsley and Parmesan cheese, for garnish, optional
Instructions
- Prepare the Oven and Pan: Heat the oven to 375 F and line a large, rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Heat the Garlic Butter: Combine the butter and garlic in a small saucepan heat over medium-low heat and bring to a simmer. Pour the mixture into a wide, shallow bowl.
- Make the Breading: In another bowl, combine the breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, parsley, salt, and pepper.
- Coat and Bake the Chicken: Dip the chicken in the butter, then in the breadcrumb mixture. Arrange on the baking sheet and bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until the chicken breasts register at least 165 F.
- Serve: Garnish with extra parsley and Parmesan cheese and enjoy!
- Store: Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours. Reheat and enjoy within 3 to 4 days.
Nutrition
Disclaimer:
Our nutritional information is based on a third-party application that analyzes the ingredients list to determine the values. The information is meant to be helpful, but should be considered an estimate. Values may differ depending on measurements, brands, serving variations, and database availability.
