Are you looking for a scrumptious, healthy dinner idea that’s easy to prepare and sure to impress? Look no further! This Baked Chicken Parmesan recipe combines the classic flavors you love with a healthier twist.
Perfectly crispy and topped with luscious marinara sauce and gooey mozzarella cheese, this dish is bound to become a family favorite. Let’s dive into how you can make this delectable meal in under an hour!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Healthier Ingredients: By using whole wheat flour and bread crumbs, this recipe offers a healthier alternative to traditional Chicken Parmesan without sacrificing flavor.
- Simple Preparation: With easy-to-follow steps, this dish is perfect for both novice cooks and seasoned chefs.
- Quick Cooking Time: Ready in just 55 minutes, you can have a delicious meal on the table in no time.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For this recipe, you’ll need the following ingredients:
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts: This equates to about 3 large chicken breasts or 1.5 lbs of chicken cutlets.
- ½ cup whole wheat flour
- 3 large eggs
- 1.5 cup shredded mozzarella
- 1.5 cups marinara sauce
Breading Mixture
- 1 cup whole wheat bread crumbs (unseasoned)
- ½ cup parmesan cheese
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- 2 teaspoons dried basil
- 2 teaspoons dried parsley
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Chicken
Begin by butterflying and pounding the chicken breasts. Slice each breast in half lengthwise (like a book), then place them between plastic wrap. Use a meat tenderizer to pound the chicken until it’s about ¼ inch thick. This ensures even cooking and tender chicken. You should end up with 6 cutlets.
Step 2: Preheat and Prepare
Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
Step 3: Set Up Your Assembly Line
Set out three large shallow bowls:
- Bowl 1: Add the whole wheat flour.
- Bowl 2: Crack and whisk the eggs.
- Bowl 3: Mix together the bread crumbs, parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, dried basil, and dried parsley.
Step 4: Bread the Chicken
Create an assembly line with your bowls. Take each chicken cutlet, cover it in flour, dip it in the egg mixture, and then coat it with the bread crumb mixture. Press gently to ensure the cutlet is thoroughly coated. Repeat for all cutlets.
Step 5: Bake the Chicken
Place the breaded cutlets on the prepared baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes, flip the cutlets, and bake for another 15 minutes.
Step 6: Add Sauce and Cheese
After the chicken has baked for 30 minutes, top each cutlet with about ¼ cup of marinara sauce and ¼ cup of shredded mozzarella cheese. Return to the oven and set it to broil for about 2 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Step 7: Serve and Enjoy
Serve your Baked Chicken Parmesan over pasta or a fresh salad for a complete meal that’s both satisfying and nutritious.
Nutritional Information
Here’s what you can expect per serving (8 oz chicken with cheese and sauce):
- Calories: 572 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 39g
- Protein: 60g
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Cholesterol: 273mg
- Sodium: 676mg
- Fiber: 6g
- Sugar: 6g
- Vitamin A: 1010IU
- Vitamin C: 14mg
- Calcium: 404mg
- Iron: 5mg
Final Thoughts
This Baked Chicken Parmesan recipe is not only healthy but also incredibly delicious and easy to make. It’s perfect for a cozy family dinner or a special occasion meal. With its crispy coating, savory sauce, and melty cheese, this dish is sure to become a staple in your kitchen. Try it out tonight and watch as your loved ones savor every bite!
Print
Healthy Chicken Parmesan Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
This Baked Chicken Parmesan recipe is so easy to make! Perfectly crispy, coated with a delicious sauce and cheese for a healthy dinner!
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 3 large chicken breasts OR 1.5 lbs chicken cutlets)
- ½ cup whole wheat flour
- 3 large eggs
- 1.5 cup shredded mozzarella
- 1.5 cups marinara sauce
Breading Mixture
- 1 cup whole wheat bread crumbs, unseasoned
- ½ cup parmesan cheese
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- 2 teaspoons dried basil
- 2 teaspoons dried parsley
Instructions
Butterfly and pound chicken breasts. To do this, slice the chicken breasts in half lengthwise (like a book!). Place in between plastic wrap and use a meat tenderizer to pound the chicken until it is about ¼ inch thick. This is important and skipping this step will result in undercooked, tough chicken. You should wind up with 6 cutlets.
Preheat your oven to 425°F and prepare a parchment-lined baking sheet.
Set out 3 large shallow bowls.
In the first bowl add whole wheat flour.
In the second bowl, crack and whisk eggs.
In the third bowl, mix together bread crumbs, parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, dried basil, and dried parsley.
Form an assembly line with your bowls. Take your chicken cutlet and cover in flour, then dip in egg, then dip in the bread crumb mixture. You can press gently to make sure the cutlets are coated. Repeat for all cutlets.
Place breaded cutlets on a baking sheet. Bake at 425°F for 15 minutes, flip the cutlets and bake for another 15 minutes.
After the chicken has been baking for 30 minutes, top each cutlet with about ¼ cup tomato sauce and ¼ cup shredded mozzarella. Return to the oven and set to broil for about 2 minutes until the cheese is melted.
Serve over pasta or a salad.
Notes
Pounding the chicken is key to tender, evenly cooked cutlets.
Use low-fat cheese or gluten-free breadcrumbs if needed.
Pairs well with whole wheat pasta, zoodles, or a green salad.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8 oz chicken with cheese and sauce
- Calories: 572
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 676mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 39g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 60g
- Cholesterol: 273mg
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