Description
This Baked Chicken Parmesan is a delicious and easy-to-make Italian-inspired dish featuring tender chicken breasts baked in rich marinara sauce and topped with melted mozzarella and parmesan cheeses. Perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner, it offers a flavorful combination of crispy cheese and juicy chicken baked to perfection.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Sauce and Cheese
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
- ¼ cup fresh basil leaves
Others
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- Nonstick cooking spray
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to ensure it reaches the perfect temperature for baking the chicken evenly and melting the cheese beautifully.
- Prepare Baking Dish: Lightly spray a baking dish with nonstick cooking spray to prevent the chicken and cheese from sticking during baking, making cleanup easier.
- Season Chicken: Season both sides of the chicken breasts generously with salt and pepper to enhance the flavor of the meat.
- Assemble in Dish: Spread a layer of marinara sauce in the bottom of the baking dish. Place the seasoned chicken breasts on top of the sauce, then cover each breast with additional marinara sauce to keep the chicken moist and flavorful while baking.
- Add Cheese: Top each chicken breast with shredded mozzarella cheese and sprinkle grated parmesan cheese evenly over the top for a rich, cheesy crust once baked.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C) and the cheese is bubbly and golden brown. This ensures the chicken is fully cooked and the cheese topping is perfectly melted.
Notes
- Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature for perfectly cooked chicken.
- Fresh basil leaves can be added before serving for extra flavor and garnish.
- You can use homemade or store-bought marinara sauce depending on your preference.
- For extra crispiness, broil the chicken for the last 2-3 minutes, watching closely to avoid burning.
