Description
A delicious and easy baked chicken breast recipe featuring a creamy Parmesan and mayo topping that creates a golden, flavorful crust, resulting in tender and juicy chicken every time. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or meal prep.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Topping
- 1 cup mayonnaise (or plain Greek yogurt for lighter version)
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- Optional: ½ teaspoon paprika or Italian seasoning (for topping)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or line it with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Pound Chicken: Pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness of about ¾ inch to ensure they cook evenly and remain tender.
- Prepare Topping Mixture: In a medium bowl, combine mayonnaise, grated Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix until smooth and well blended.
- Apply Topping: Spread the prepared mixture evenly over the top of each chicken breast, making sure to cover the entire surface for maximum flavor and crust formation.
- Add Optional Seasoning: Place the coated chicken breasts in the baking dish and sprinkle optional paprika or Italian seasoning on top for extra flavor and color.
- Bake: Bake uncovered for 35–45 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and the top becomes golden and slightly crisp.
- Rest: Remove from the oven and let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving to retain its juices and maximize tenderness.
Notes
- Pounding the chicken is key to even cooking and achieving a tender texture.
- Use a meat thermometer to check for perfect doneness and avoid drying out the chicken.
- For an extra crispy crust, broil the chicken for the last 2–3 minutes of cooking.
- Using Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise provides a tangy flavor and a lighter, healthier option.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 3 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg
