Healthy And Easy Baked Garlic Parmesan Chicken
Ingredients
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ⅓ cup breadcrumbs Panko or Italian-style
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- Fresh parsley optional, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a baking dish or line it with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- In a small bowl, combine Parmesan cheese, breadcrumbs, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly to ensure an even distribution of flavors.
- Pat the chicken breasts dry with a paper towel to ensure the coating sticks. Place them in the prepared baking dish.
- In another small bowl, mix the melted butter with minced garlic. Brush this mixture generously over the chicken breasts.
- Sprinkle the Parmesan-breadcrumb mixture over the chicken, pressing lightly to adhere the coating to the meat.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C). For an extra crispy top, broil the chicken for 1-2 minutes after baking.
- Remove from the oven and let the chicken rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve warm.
Notes
Always use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken is fully cooked. Overcooking can make it dry.
For a deeper garlic flavor, let the garlic sit in melted butter for a few minutes before brushing it on the chicken.