Parmesan Crusted Chicken

This Parmesan Crusted Chicken Recipe features perfectly golden-brown pan-fried chicken cutlets dredged in a delicious parmesan and panko bread crumb coating. Juicy on the inside and crispy on the outside, it’s the perfect quick and easy weeknight dinner – ready in 30 minutes.

The Crispiest Pan-Fried Chicken Cutlets

If you’re tired of boring chicken breasts, you will love this parmesan-crusted chicken recipe. Chicken breasts are thinly sliced and pounded to equal thickness before being coated in parmesan cheese and crispy panko breadcrumbs. Pan-fried in a combination of oil and butter, the result is a perfectly juicy inside with a super flavorful crust. 

Surprisingly easy to make, you’ll need about 30 minutes and a handful of super simple ingredients. It’s the perfect dish for busy weeknight dinners, yet delicious enough to serve more formal friends and company.

Parmesan Crusted Chicken Ingredients

Below are descriptions of the key ingredients for Pan-Fried Parmesan-crusted chicken, including possible substitutions. You can find the printable recipe with measurements for each ingredient in the recipe card below.

• Chicken breasts: Use boneless, skinless chicken breasts. Slice each chicken breast in half length-wise to make two thinner pieces, then pound them to equal 1/4-inch thickness with a meat mallet or rolling pin.
• Seasoning: The chicken is seasoned with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper before the 3-step dredging process.
• Breading: The 3-step dredging station will consist of three bowls: One bowl filled with all-purpose flour and salt; another with two whisked eggs; and the third with plain panko breadcrumbs, grated parmesan cheese, and Italian seasoning. To make this recipe gluten-free, replace the regular all-purpose flour with a gluten-free alternative like gluten-free all-purpose flour and swap the panko for a gluten-free version.
• Butter + Olive oil: The chicken is cooked in a 2:1 ratio of oil and butter. Butter offers a beautiful, rich flavor but has a relatively low smoke point, so it’s important to combine it with oil. The oil offers a higher smoke point and helps prevent the butter from burning.

How to Make Parmesan Crusted Chicken

1. Prepare the chicken: Slice the chicken breasts in half horizontally to make two thinner cutlets. Place them between two sheets of plastic wrap and pound to an even thickness of about 1/4 inch using the flat side of a meat mallet or rolling pin.

2. Season: Pat the chicken dry with paper towels, then season both sides with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.

3. Prepare the 3-step dredging station: Combine the flour with 1/2 teaspoon salt in a large shallow bowl. In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs with 1/4 cup of water. Lastly, stir the panko breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, and Italian seasoning in a separate shallow bowl.

4. Bread the chicken: Place a cooling rack over a large-rimmed baking dish. Start by dredging the chicken in flour, making sure to coat the entire surface. Then, dip it in the egg, allowing the excess to drip off. Transfer to the breadcrumb mixture, gently pressing the breadcrumbs onto the chicken to ensure they stick. Place each piece of breaded chicken on the prepared cooling rack and repeat with the remaining chicken cutlets.

5. Pan-fry: Heat the oil and melt the butter in a large 12-inch skillet set over medium-high heat. Transfer 2-3 pieces of chicken to the skillet (or as many that fit) and cook for about 4-5 minutes on each side or until golden brown and cooked to an internal temperature of 160-165°F as measured by a digital meat thermometer. Repeat with any remaining chicken.

6. Serve: Remove to a clean plate lined with paper towels and repeat with any remaining chicken. Serve with fresh lemon and freshly chopped parsley, if desired.

Baked Parmesan-Crusted Chicken

Oven-baked is the way to go if you’re looking for the healthiest version of parmesan-crusted chicken. Here’s how to do it:

Prepare the chicken through the dredging and breading step, then preheat the oven to 400°F and transfer them to a wire rack set over a rimmed baking sheet. Spray with a light coat of olive oil cooking spray and bake until the thickest part of the chicken registers 160-165°F (about 12-15 minutes).

Air Fryer Parmesan-Crusted Chicken

Prepare the chicken through the dredging and breading steps. Preheat the air fryer to 390°F (200°C) and spray the inside of the basket with nonstick cooking spray. Place the chicken cutlets in a single layer in the basket and spray the chicken with a light coat of oil. Cook for about 5-8 minutes, then flip the cutlets and cook for another 5-10 minutes, or until the chicken is golden brown and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).

What to Serve with Parmesan Crusted Chicken

This chicken is SO flavorful and delicious. The parmesan crust pairs well with just about any pasta sauce, from Pesto and Marinara to Alfredo sauce. For a less Italian-centered dish, serve them with buttery Mashed Potatoes, Twice-Baked Potatoes, or Stick of Butter Rice. Add your favorite greens, like this simple Arugula Salad, Classic Caesar Salad, or Wedge Salad.

For the kiddos, serve this easy parmesan-crusted chicken with fries and all the dipping sauces. We like making at least one of the following: Remoulade Sauce, Buffalo Sauce, Copycat Chick-fil-A Sauce, Comeback Sauce, Honey Mustard, or homemade Ranch Dressing.

Storage and Freezing

Leftovers: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. If you’re stacking them, place a piece of parchment paper between each cutlet to prevent them from sticking together and to preserve the breading. Allow leftovers to cool to room temperature before storing to prevent condensation and soggy breading. Reheat in a preheated 375°F (190°C) oven tented with foil until heated.

Freezing: Cool to room temperature, then wrap each piece of chicken in foil or plastic wrap individually. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw leftovers overnight in the refrigerator, then bake in a preheated 375°F (190°C) oven tented with foil until warmed.

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If you love this parm-crusted chicken recipe, check out these other crispy chicken recipes: Chicken Parmesan Recipe, Homemade Shake and Bake Chicken, Chicken Cordon Bleu, and Cornflake Chicken.