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Parmesan Crusted Chicken

Crispy parmesan crusted chicken is flavorful, tender and juicy on the inside and slightly crunchy on the outside from a pan fried coating. This recipe is easy enough for a weeknight dinner but exciting enough to serve guests!

Parmesan crusted chicken and broccoli on a white plate.
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Delicious Parmesan Crusted Chicken

This flavorful parmesan crusted chicken recipe is easy enough for a weeknight dinner but impressive enough to serve company just like my chicken francese or recipe for chicken piccata!

Tenderized chicken breasts are dipped in an egg wash and then a flavorful Parmesan mixture before being pan fried until tender and golden brown.

When it comes to easy chicken recipes there is always room for one more to add to your dinner repertoire! This baked chicken parmesan recipe and baked ranch chicken are two other go-to dinner wins.

Why This Recipe Works

  • Easy to make: This parmesan breaded chicken is ready in less than 30 minutes for a simple dinner. 
  • Flavorful: The breasts are coated in a flavorful Italian seasoned parmesan coating for bold tastes that everyone will love!
  • Family friendly: You may want to make extra, both kids and adults alike love this crusted parmesan chicken!
  • Versatile: You can make this on the stovetop or in your air fryer, so simple!

Recipe Ingredients

This crusted parmesan chicken features simple ingredients like chicken breasts, Italian seasonings, and Parmesan cheese.

Parmesan crusted chicken ingredients on counter.

Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.

  • Chicken breasts: You’ll need two large boneless, skinless breasts.
  • Eggs: Needed to create an egg wash that helps seasonings adhere to the chicken.
  • Flour: You can use all-purpose flour or naturally gluten free almond flour.
  • Seasonings: Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
  • Oil and butter: Oil helps your meat not stick to your skillet and butter adds a rich taste. You don’t need either if you opt to air fry your chicken, though.
  • Garnishes: Fresh parsley and lemon wedges brighten the flavors!

How to Make Parmesan Crusted Chicken

It’s really simple to make this parm crusted cutlet! Pounding the chicken breasts to 1/4-inch thickness ensures even cooking and a two-step breading method ensures the coating sticks.

Showing how to make parmesan crusted chicken in a 6 step collage.
  • Cut and flatten meat: On a cutting board, slice each breast into 2 pieces, making 4 cutlets. Cover chicken with plastic wrap then use a flat side of a meat mallet to pound them evenly to 1/4-inch thickness. Season with salt and pepper.
  • Combine coating ingredients: In a shallow dish, whisk together the flour, parmesan, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder.
  • Dredge chicken in egg wash: Using a fork or tongs, dredge 1 breast on both sides in the eggs, letting any excess runoff.
  • Coat in parmesan mixture: Press the chicken lightly in the parmesan mixture with the back of the fork, then turn and repeat. Shake off excess coating and repeat with remaining pieces.
  • Pan fry chicken: In a large, nonstick skillet, heat oil and butter over medium-high heat. Add the breasts and cook for 4 minutes, or until golden brown on the bottom. Reduce temperature slightly if browning too quickly. Flip and continue to cook for 3-4 minutes, or until golden brown on the bottom and center registers 165°F on a digital thermometer.
  • Rest and serve: Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Allow resting 5 minutes before slicing. Sprinkle with parsley and serve warm with lemon wedges.

Expert Tips

  • Thin chicken cutlets: Do not skip the cutting and pounding step. Thicker pieces will not cook evenly and the exterior will burn before the interior is cooked through.
  • No meat mallet: Use a rolling pin to flatten your meat. 
  • Mix fresh herbs in with coating: Swap the dried Italian seasoning for fresh herbs like parsley, thyme, and oregano. 
  • Freshly grated Parmesan cheese: Not only tastes better but will melt better for a crispier coating.
  • Instant read thermometer: Monitor the internal temperature of your cooked meat with a meat thermometer for accurate results. Once it reaches 165 degrees F, it’s done!

Serving Suggestions

The beauty of this parmesan crusted chicken recipe is that it goes with so many side dishes for a complete meal! Here are a few favorites: 

Parmesan crusted chicken cooked in a black skillet.

Recipe FAQs

Is this a copycat Longhorn parmesan crusted chicken recipe?

It’s somewhat similar because of the parmesan crust although there are a few differences. The restaurant version is marinated in Italian dressing, grilled, then topped with a creamy ranch parmesan crust with breadcrumbs.

Can this be baked?

Yes, keep in mind that it won’t be as crispy. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees and prepare as directed up to step 6. Place cutlets on a wire rack set over a rimmed baking sheet. Spray them with olive oil cooking spray. Bake for 15 minutes or until the center registers 165 degrees F.

How do I air fry this chicken recipe?

Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees F. Spray uncooked coated breasts all over with olive oil spray. Place 2 cutlets in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook for 7 minutes.

Flip the parmesan crusted chicken over and air fry 3 to 4 minutes, or until it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F. Set aside and repeat with remaining pieces.

Can I make this both nut free and gluten free?

If you need a gluten free breading for dietary reasons but also have a nut allergy, try crushed pork rinds for your breading option. Taste will be different but the crispy texture will be great!

Storing

Store leftovers in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Transform your leftovers into a new meal and make this one pot chicken parmesan pasta or use it to make a chicken Caesar wrap.

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Parmesan Crusted Chicken

5 from 11 votes
↑ Click stars to rate now!
Author: Jamielyn Nye
Crispy parmesan crusted chicken is tender and juicy on the inside and slightly crunchy on the outside. It’s flavorful, cooked to perfection, and will be a new family favorite! 
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 8 minutes
Total Time: 18 minutes
Servings: 4

Video

Ingredients 

  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 2 large breasts)
  • 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
  • ¼ teaspoon Ground black pepper , more if desired
  • 2 large eggs
  • ½ cup all-purpose flour , or almond flour
  • ½ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
  • 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
  • 1 ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • 2 Tablespoons olive oil , more as needed
  • 1 Tablespoon unsalted butter
  • Chopped fresh parsley , for serving
  • Lemon wedges , for serving

Instructions

  • On a cutting board, slice each chicken breast into 2 pieces, making 4 pieces total. Cover chicken with plastic wrap. Using a rolling pin or flat side of a meat mallet, pound evenly to 1/4-inch thickness. Season with salt and pepper.
  • In a shallow dish, whisk eggs together until blended.
  • In a second shallow dish, whisk together the flour, parmesan, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder. Toss chicken in flour mixture until coated.
  • Using a fork or tongs, dredge 1 chicken breast on both sides in the eggs, letting any excess run off.
  • Press the chicken lightly in the parmesan mixture with the back of the fork, then turn and repeat. Shake off excess coating and repeat with remaining chicken pieces.
  • In a large, nonstick skillet, heat oil and butter over medium-high heat. Add chicken breasts and cook 4 minutes, or until golden brown on bottom. Reduce temperature slightly if browning too quickly. Flip and continue to cook 3-4 minutes, or until golden brown on bottom and center registers 165°F on a digital thermometer.
  • Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Allow to rest 5 minutes before slicing. Sprinkle with parsley and serve warm with lemon wedges.

Notes

Air-fry the chicken: Preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Spray uncooked coated chicken all over with olive oil spray. Place 2 chicken breasts in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook 7 minutes. Flip the chicken over and air fry 3 to 4 minutes, or until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Set aside and repeat with remaining chicken breasts.
Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container up to 3 days.

Nutrition

Calories: 368kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 33g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 184mg | Sodium: 969mg | Potassium: 523mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 0.2g | Vitamin A: 382IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 151mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.

Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: American
Diet: Gluten Free

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