Parmesan-Crusted Chicken 

By Lidey Heuck

Published August 14, 2024

  • Christopher Testani for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Simon Andrews.
Media 1 of 1
Total Time
45 minutes
Prep Time
5 minutes
Cook Time
40 minutes
Rating
5(4,427)
Comments
Read comments

These crunchy, cheesy breaded chicken breasts are baked, not fried, making for hands-off cooking and easy cleanup. Instead of relying on a typical three-part dredge — with flour, eggs and bread crumbs — this recipe uses mayonnaise to help the bread crumbs adhere to the chicken. The mayonnaise does the job beautifully, adding flavor and moisture in the process. Tossing the panko-Parmesan mixture in olive oil helps the bread crumbs brown in the oven, mimicking the crisp texture of a fried cutlet but with way less oil. Serve with a simple green salad or your favorite sauce for dipping, as these breaded chicken cutlets are essentially large-format, dinner-friendly chicken tenders.

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Ingredients

Yield:4 servings

  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 8 ounces each)

  • Kosher salt and black pepper

  • 1 ¼ cups panko bread crumbs

  • ¾ cup grated Parmesan 

  • 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh parsley, plus more for garnishing 

  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

  • ¼ cup mayonnaise

  • Lemon wedges (optional), for serving

Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving (4 servings)

15 grams carbs; 107 milligrams cholesterol; 473 calories; 11 grams monounsaturated fat; 8 grams polyunsaturated fat; 7 grams saturated fat; 28 grams fat; 1 gram fiber; 491 milligrams sodium; 37 grams protein; 1 gram sugar

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Heat oven to 425 degrees. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper.

  2. Step 2

    Pat chicken dry with a paper towel, then carefully slice each breast in half horizontally, forming 2 thin cutlets. (You’ll have 4 total pieces.)

  3. Step 3

    Using a meat mallet or rolling pin, pound the cutlets until ¼-inch thick. Season with ½ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper.

  4. Step 4

    In a large, shallow bowl or rimmed plate, combine the panko, Parmesan and parsley with ½ teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon pepper. Add oil and toss until the bread crumbs are evenly coated.

  5. Step 5

    Working one at a time, brush each chicken cutlet all over with 1 tablespoon mayonnaise, then dip into the panko mixture, turning and pressing gently until fully coated. Place the breaded chicken on the prepared pan and bake 20 to 25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until browned and cooked through.

  6. Step 6

    Sprinkle lightly with salt and serve hot or warm.

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Ratings

5 out of 5
4,427 user ratings
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Comments

Amanda

Sometimes I sub Dijon mustard for the mayo, and I preheat the sheet pan in the oven. The cutlets brown better with a crispier crust when added to a hot pan.

jeffthechef

A great alternative is to use Caesar dressing in stead of mayo. Use panko so they’re crispiest, I bake on a wire rack.

Jane

This is an excellent way to cook eggplant slices.

MC

I love this recipe and it’s very me of the only ways my 4 year old will eat chicken. It might be a little wasteful, but you can just put all of the chicken in a bowl and toss it with the mayonnaise more quickly than brushing it on. We usually scale of the recipe and I cup the chicken into smaller strips, so this is much more efficient.

Fit2print

Ugh I wish I’d read the comments about putting them on top of a wire rack or heating up the pan prior followed the recipe exactly in my crust turned out soggy. What a waste.

Lisa B

Really enjoyed this easy recipe. Based on some comments, I chose to add flavor by mixing some chili crunch with the mayo - yum - and seasoned the chicken with a good quality seasoned salt instead of plain salt. Baked on a well seasoned stoneware pan lightly sprayed with avocado oil and had no issue with sticking. Perfectly crunchy. Will make again.

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