Description
This Healthy Chicken Parmesan recipe features tender, pound-thin chicken cutlets coated in whole wheat flour and bread crumbs, baked to perfection and topped with marinara sauce and melted mozzarella cheese. A lighter take on the classic Italian-American favorite, it’s perfect for a satisfying dinner that is both wholesome and delicious.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 3 large breasts or 6 cutlets)
Coating
- ½ cup whole wheat flour
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup whole wheat bread crumbs (unseasoned)
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 teaspoons dried basil
- 2 teaspoons dried parsley
Toppings
- 1.5 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1.5 cups marinara sauce
Instructions
- Butterfly and Pound Chicken: Slice each chicken breast in half lengthwise to create cutlets. Place them between plastic wrap and use a meat tenderizer to pound until approximately ¼ inch thick to ensure even cooking and tenderness, resulting in 6 cutlets total.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and for easy cleanup.
- Prepare Breading Stations: Set out three shallow bowls. Place the whole wheat flour in the first bowl, whisk the eggs in the second, and mix the bread crumbs, grated Parmesan, black pepper, dried basil, and dried parsley together in the third bowl.
- Coat the Chicken: Working assembly line style, dredge each chicken cutlet first in flour, then dip into the beaten eggs, and finally coat thoroughly in the bread crumb mixture, pressing lightly to adhere. Repeat for all cutlets.
- Bake the Cutlets: Arrange the breaded chicken cutlets on the prepared baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes.
- Flip and Continue Baking: Flip each cutlet over and bake for an additional 15 minutes, ensuring the chicken cooks through and the breading becomes crispy.
- Add Sauce and Cheese: After 30 minutes of baking, spoon about ¼ cup of marinara sauce over each cutlet and sprinkle with about ¼ cup shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Broil to Melt Cheese: Switch oven to broil and place the chicken back inside for about 2 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and melted. Watch closely to avoid burning.
- Serve: Remove from oven and serve the chicken Parmesan hot, optionally over pasta or a fresh salad for a complete meal.
Notes
- Be sure to pound chicken evenly to prevent undercooked or tough spots.
- Using whole wheat ingredients boosts fiber and adds a nutty flavor.
- Broiling at the end gives the cheese a nice bubbly and golden finish.
- Use unseasoned bread crumbs to control salt and flavor levels.
- This recipe can be doubled or halved easily for different serving sizes.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
