Crispy, garlicky, and outrageously cheesy — this Garlic Parmesan Chicken is the kind of weeknight hero that tastes like a weekend project. Juicy chicken breasts get coated in a golden garlic-parmesan crust, then baked until the cheese turns bubbly and bronzed and the meat stays impossibly tender. Fresh herbs scattered over the top keep every bite bright. Serve it with a simple salad or buttery pasta and watch it disappear before the plates hit the table.
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 2 lbs)
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tbsp fresh basil, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Prep the oven: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly grease a baking dish or line a sheet pan with parchment.
- Season the chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry, then rub all over with the salt, pepper, and paprika.
- Make the garlic base: Stir the minced garlic into the olive oil. Brush the mixture generously over both sides of each chicken breast.
- Mix the crust: In a shallow bowl, combine the grated Parmesan, panko, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder.
- Coat: Press each chicken breast firmly into the Parmesan mixture, coating both sides well, and place in the baking dish.
- Butter it up: Drizzle the melted butter evenly over the coated chicken — this is what gives you that deep golden, crispy top.
- Bake: Bake for 22 to 28 minutes, until the crust is golden and crisp and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Rest and garnish: Rest 5 minutes so the juices settle, then scatter over the fresh parsley and basil and serve hot.
Pro tip: Grate your own Parmesan — the pre-shredded kind has anti-caking starch that keeps it from melting into that perfect golden crust. And if your breasts are thick, pound them to an even 3/4-inch thickness so they cook through without drying out.
Estimated nutrition per serving: 480 calories, 43g protein, 8g carbs, 30g fat.
