Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (try to get them roughly the same size)
- 2 cups seasoned breadcrumbs (Italian-style works great here)
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese (the real stuff, not the powdered kind!)
- 2 large eggs
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Olive oil cooking spray
For the Topping:
- 2 cups marinara sauce (store-bought is totally fine!)
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, torn (optional, but highly recommended)
- Extra parmesan for serving
Instructions
Step 1: Prep Your Workspace (10 minutes)
Okay, first things first – preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Trust me, a hot oven is key for getting that crispy coating! Line your sheet pan with parchment paper and give it a light spray with olive oil. This helps prevent sticking and adds a bit of extra crispiness.
Step 2: Prepare the Chicken (15 minutes)
Here’s where we get our hands a little messy (but in a good way!):
- If your chicken breasts are super thick, you’ll want to pound them to an even thickness – about 1/2 inch is perfect. Just put them between two pieces of plastic wrap and give them a few whacks with a meat mallet. Don’t have a mallet? A rolling pin works too!
- Set up your breading station with three shallow dishes:
- Dish 1: Mix flour with a pinch of salt and pepper
- Dish 2: Whisk together eggs and milk
- Dish 3: Combine breadcrumbs, grated parmesan, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning
- Time to bread the chicken! The order is important here:
- Dredge in flour (shake off excess)
- Dip in egg mixture (let extra drip off)
- Coat well with breadcrumb mixture (press gently to help it stick)
Step 3: Bake and Top (25-30 minutes)
- Place breaded chicken on your prepared sheet pan. Give each piece a good spray with olive oil cooking spray – this helps get that golden-brown color we’re after.
- Bake for 15 minutes until the coating starts getting crispy.
- Take the pan out (carefully!) and spoon marinara sauce over each piece of chicken. Top with mozzarella cheese.
- Back in the oven for another 7-10 minutes, or until cheese is melty and bubbly and chicken is cooked through (165°F on an instant-read thermometer if you’re checking).
Step 4: Finish and Serve
Sprinkle with torn fresh basil leaves and extra parmesan cheese. Let it rest for about 5 minutes before serving (I know it’s tempting to dig right in, but trust me on this!).
Pro Tips for Perfect Sheet Pan Chicken Parmesan
- Don’t skip pounding the chicken – even thickness means even cooking
- Pat the chicken dry before starting the breading process
- If the breadcrumbs aren’t browning enough, you can broil for the last minute or two (but watch it carefully!)
- Want extra insurance against soggy bottom syndrome? Place a wire rack on your sheet pan and cook the chicken on that