Parmesan Crusted Chicken is a dish that never fails to impress. I remember trying it for the first time at a friend's dinner party. The golden crust captured my attention, and the flavors blew me away. Ever since then, I've been perfecting this recipe to make it just right at home for family and friends.
This dish combines simple ingredients to create a satisfying meal. The crispy texture paired with the rich flavor of parmesan will leave everyone asking for seconds. It pairs wonderfully with a light salad or buttery cauliflower mash, making it the perfect centerpiece for any dinner table.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Crispy Texture: Achieve the perfect crunch with the outside coating that keeps the chicken tender inside.
- Quick Prep Time: Prepare this delicious meal in under 30 minutes, making it ideal for busy weeknights.
- Kid-Friendly: Kids love the crispy coating, making dinner time easier for parents.
- Versatile Serving Options: Enjoy it with a variety of sides like salads, veggies, or cauliflower mash.
- Simple Ingredients: Uses everyday items that you likely already have in your pantry.
Ingredients You'll Need
- Chicken breasts – 1 pound. This forms the main protein of the dish.
- Italian seasoning – 1 teaspoon. It adds an aromatic flavor to the chicken.
- Onion powder – ½ teaspoon. It brings out a subtle sweetness and depth of flavor.
- Salt – 1 pinch to season. Enhances the overall flavors of the dish.
- Pepper – 1 pinch to season. Adds just enough heat to elevate the taste.
- Eggs – 2. They help bind the crust to the chicken during cooking.
- Garlic – 1 clove, minced. Provides a robust and aromatic touch.
- Italian seasoning – ½ teaspoon. Extra flavor for the egg wash.
- Salt – 1 pinch to taste. Ensures the egg wash is flavorful.
- Pepper – 1 pinch to taste. Complements the garlic and other seasonings.
- Parmesan cheese – 1 cup, fresh grated. Gives that irresistible crispy crust.
- Almond flour – ½ cup. It helps create a gluten-free crispy texture.
- Olive oil – 2 tablespoons. Used for frying and adds flavor.
- Butter – 1 tablespoon. Enhances flavor and improves browning.
How to Make Parmesan Crusted Chicken
Step 1: Slice the Chicken
Slice each chicken breast in half horizontally to make four fillets. This helps them cook evenly and stay juicy. Season both sides of the chicken with Italian seasoning, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
Step 2: Prepare the Egg Wash
In a shallow bowl, whisk together the eggs, minced garlic, and Italian seasoning. Don’t forget to season the mixture lightly with salt and pepper for added flavor.
Step 3: Marinate the Chicken
Place the seasoned chicken pieces into the egg wash and let them marinate for about 10 minutes. This ensures the flavors penetrate the chicken properly.
Step 4: Mix the Coating
In a separate shallow bowl, combine fresh grated parmesan cheese and almond flour. This mixture forms the crispy coating for the chicken.
Step 5: Dredge the Chicken
Take each marinated chicken piece and dredge it in the parmesan mixture. Press firmly to ensure the coating adheres well to the chicken.
Step 6: Heat the Skillet
Heat olive oil and butter in a non-stick skillet over medium-high heat until melted and shimmering. This is key for achieving a golden crust.
Step 7: Fry the Chicken
Fry two pieces of chicken at a time for about four minutes without moving them. Once they are crispy and golden, flip them over and cook until fully done.
Step 8: Optional Air Frying
For a healthier twist, optionally use an air fryer. Set it to 400°F (200°C) and air fry the chicken for seven minutes on one side, then flip and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes until cooked through.
Step 9: Serve Your Dish
Serve the crispy parmesan crusted chicken alongside buttery cauliflower mash for a delicious low-carb meal. Enjoy every bite!
Pro Tips from My Kitchen
✓ Use Fresh Parmesan – Freshly grated parmesan cheese melts better and creates a superior crust compared to pre-shredded varieties.
✓ Let Chicken Rest – After frying, allow the chicken to rest for a few minutes before serving to let the juices redistribute.
✓ Adjust Seasonings – Feel free to tweak the seasonings to suit your taste. Try adding paprika or cayenne for an extra kick.
✓ Monitor Cooking Temperature – Keep an eye on your skillet's temperature. Too hot can lead to burnt outsides and raw insides.
✓ Double the Recipe – Feel free to double the recipe if you are serving a crowd. You can also easily reheat any leftovers in the air fryer for a quick meal.
What Makes This Recipe Work
- The combination of parmesan cheese and almond flour creates a flavorful and crunchy outer layer. This texture contrasts with the tender chicken inside, resulting in delicious bites.
- Marinating the chicken in egg and seasonings infuses it with flavor, ensuring that each piece is seasoned both inside and out. This step enhances the overall taste of the dish.
- Frying the chicken in a mixture of olive oil and butter promotes browning, creating an irresistible crust while keeping the meat moist. This blend combines flavor and texture perfectly.
Frequently Asked Questions About Parmesan Crusted Chicken
You can substitute with grated mozzarella or cheddar for a different flavor twist. However, keep in mind that the texture may change, and you might not achieve the same crispiness.
Fry each piece for about four minutes on one side without moving it. This will allow the coating to set properly before flipping. The chicken is done when it's golden brown and juices run clear.
Yes, you can coat the chicken and keep it in the fridge for a few hours before cooking. If you have leftovers, store them covered for up to 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer to restore crispiness.
Make sure to thoroughly coat the chicken in the egg wash and press the parmesan mixture onto the chicken well. If it still doesn't stick, you may need to adjust the wet-to-dry ratio in your dredging process.
This dish pairs well with steamed vegetables, salads, or creamy mashed cauliflower. For a more substantial meal, try serving it with pasta or rice dishes.
Parmesan Crusted Chicken Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pound Chicken breasts
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon Onion powder
- 1 pinch Salt
- 1 pinch Pepper
- 2 Eggs
- 1 clove Garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 pinch Salt
- 1 pinch Pepper
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese, fresh grated
- ½ cup Almond flour
- 2 tablespoons Olive oil
- 1 tablespoon Butter
Instructions
- Slice each chicken breast in half horizontally to make four fillets. Season both sides of the chicken with Italian seasoning, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
- In a shallow bowl, whisk together the eggs, minced garlic, and Italian seasoning. Season the mixture lightly with salt and pepper for added flavor.
- Place the seasoned chicken pieces into the egg wash and let them marinate for about 10 minutes.
- In a separate shallow bowl, combine fresh grated parmesan cheese and almond flour.
- Take each marinated chicken piece and dredge it in the parmesan mixture. Press firmly to ensure the coating adheres well.
- Heat olive oil and butter in a non-stick skillet over medium-high heat until melted and shimmering.
- Fry two pieces of chicken at a time for about four minutes without moving them. Flip them over and cook until fully done.
- Optionally, you can use an air fryer at 400°F (200°C) and air fry the chicken for seven minutes on one side, then flip and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes.
- Serve the crispy parmesan crusted chicken alongside buttery cauliflower mash.
Notes
- Use freshly grated parmesan for a superior crust and let the chicken rest after frying to allow juices to redistribute.
- Adjust seasonings to your taste and monitor cooking temperature for optimal results.
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