Description
Garlic parmesan chicken bake delivers a mouthwatering Mediterranean-inspired dinner perfect for weeknight meals. Crispy chicken breasts coated in herbed cheese create a simple yet elegant dish you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup mayonnaise (or Greek yogurt for a lighter option)
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- ½ cup panko breadcrumbs (optional, for a crispy topping)
- 2 tbsps fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp lemon juice
Instructions
- Oven Preparation: Preheat the oven to 375F (190C) and lightly spray a rectangular baking dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Chicken Preparation: Pat chicken breasts dry with paper towels, then generously season both sides with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and Italian herb blend to enhance flavor profile.
- Creamy Coating Creation: Combine mayonnaise, Parmesan, mozzarella, garlic, olive oil, and lemon juice in a bowl, whisking until a smooth, unified sauce forms with rich, tangy notes.
- Coating and Topping: Spread the cheese-garlic mixture evenly across chicken breasts, ensuring complete coverage, then sprinkle panko breadcrumbs on top for a crisp, golden exterior.
- Baking Process: Roast uncovered in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, monitoring until chicken reaches a safe internal temperature of 165F (75C), resulting in a perfectly cooked, juicy protein.
- Resting and Serving: Allow chicken to rest for 5 minutes, enabling juice redistribution, then garnish with freshly chopped parsley and serve alongside complementary sides like pasta, rice, or roasted vegetables.
Notes
- Dry Chicken Prevention: Pat chicken breasts thoroughly with paper towels to remove excess moisture, ensuring a crispy, golden exterior and preventing soggy texture.
- Cheese Mixture Consistency: Whisk mayonnaise and cheese ingredients until smooth and fully integrated, creating a uniform coating that adheres perfectly to chicken’s surface.
- Breadcrumb Crunch Technique: Sprinkle panko breadcrumbs evenly and lightly press them into the cheese mixture for maximum crispiness and golden-brown color during baking.
- Temperature Precision: Use a meat thermometer to confirm chicken reaches exactly 165F (75C), preventing overcooking and maintaining juicy, tender meat texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 38 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 24 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 40 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg