Description
This Healthy Baked Chicken Parmesan is a lighter twist on the classic, featuring crispy oven-baked chicken cutlets topped with marinara sauce and melted mozzarella. Easy, delicious, and perfect for a nutritious dinner!
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 3 large breasts or 1.5 lbs chicken cutlets)
- 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
- 3 large eggs
- 1.5 cups shredded mozzarella
- 1.5 cups marinara sauce
- Breading Mixture:
- 1 cup whole wheat bread crumbs (unseasoned)
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 teaspoons dried basil
- 2 teaspoons dried parsley
Instructions
1. Butterfly and pound chicken breasts by slicing them in half lengthwise and pounding between plastic wrap until about 1/4 inch thick. This ensures even cooking and tenderness. You should end up with 6 cutlets.
2. Preheat your oven to 425°F and prepare a parchment-lined baking sheet.
3. Set out three large shallow bowls. In the first, add whole wheat flour. In the second, whisk the eggs. In the third, mix bread crumbs, Parmesan, pepper, dried basil, and parsley.
4. Create an assembly line. Dredge each cutlet in flour, then dip in egg, then coat with breadcrumb mixture. Press gently to adhere. Repeat with all cutlets.
5. Place breaded cutlets on the baking sheet. Bake for 15 minutes, flip, then bake for another 15 minutes.
6. After 30 minutes of baking, top each cutlet with about 1/4 cup marinara sauce and 1/4 cup shredded mozzarella.
7. Switch oven to broil and broil the cutlets for about 2 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
8. Serve hot over pasta or salad as desired.
Notes
Do not skip pounding the chicken — it’s essential for even cooking and tender results.
Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches 165°F internally.
You can prep and bread the cutlets ahead of time and store in the fridge until ready to bake.
This recipe works great for meal prep — reheat in the oven for best texture.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8oz chicken with cheese and sauce
- Calories: 572
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 676mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 39g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 60g
- Cholesterol: 273mg