Recipe

Savory Baked Chicken Parmesan

Crispy-edged, oven-baked chicken cutlets with a silky, smooth tomato sauce and a bubbly mozzarella Parmesan top. Cozy, bold, and weeknight friendly.

By Matt Campbell

•

4.8

A white baking dish filled with baked chicken parmesan topped with melted mozzarella and chopped basil, sitting on a wooden table with a spoonful of marinara nearby

Jump to Recipe

Chicken Parmesan can be a whole production. Three pans, oil splatters, and that lingering feeling that your kitchen needs a shower. This version keeps the crisp edges and melty cheese but trades the deep fry for a hot oven and a smart little trick: we build a silky, smooth sauce that tastes like it simmered all afternoon, even if you made it in the time it takes to preheat.

Here’s the vibe: thin chicken cutlets, a Parmesan-forward breadcrumb coat, a quick roast to get everything golden, then a glossy tomato sauce and cheese that goes bubbly and browned in the best way. Serve it over pasta, tuck it into a roll, or eat it standing at the counter “just to taste.” You know the drill.

A sheet pan with breaded chicken cutlets baked until golden brown, with a small bowl of breadcrumbs and a lemon half on the side

Why It Works

Crispy without frying: A hot sheet pan and a little oil crisp the coating fast, so you get crunch with way less mess.
Silky, smooth sauce: We sauté garlic in olive oil, add tomato paste for depth, then simmer crushed tomatoes and finish with butter and Parmesan for a velvety texture.
No soggy chicken: You pre-bake the cutlets first, then add sauce and cheese only at the end so the breading keeps its bite.
Big, savory flavor: Parmesan in the breading plus a punchy sauce means every bite tastes seasoned and intentional.

Pairs Well With

Storage Tips

Fridge: Store chicken and sauce in an airtight container for up to 3 to 4 days. If you can, keep extra sauce on the side so you can re-crisp the chicken.

Reheat (best): Warm on a sheet pan at 375°F for 10 to 15 minutes, uncovered. This brings back the crisp edges. If it looks dry, spoon a little warm sauce over right before serving.

Microwave (fast): It works, but the breading softens. Use short bursts and stop as soon as it is hot.

Freeze: Freeze baked cutlets (before saucing, if possible) for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight, re-crisp in the oven, then add sauce and cheese and finish baking.

Common Questions

How do I keep baked Chicken Parmesan from getting soggy?

Two moves: pre-bake the breaded chicken until golden, then add sauce and cheese only for the final bake. Also, do not drown it. You want a spooned-on layer of sauce, not a soup.

What makes the sauce “silky and smooth”?

We build texture and body with tomato paste, then finish with a small amount of butter and a little finely grated Parmesan. If you want it extra smooth, blend the sauce briefly with an immersion blender.

Can I use store-bought marinara?

Absolutely. To make it taste more like a restaurant sauce, warm it with a spoonful of olive oil, a pinch of chili flakes, and finish with a small knob of butter.

Is it okay to use chicken breasts that are thick?

Yes, but you need to slice and pound them to an even thickness so they cook evenly and stay juicy. Aim for about 1/2-inch thick.

What cheese works best?

Low-moisture mozzarella melts beautifully without watering out the dish. Fresh mozzarella is tasty but can release more liquid, so use it sparingly or pat it dry well.

Matt Campbell

I have always had a huge passion for the culinary arts, people, working as a team, and so on. I wanted to pursue my love for cooking initially at Virginia Commonwealth University with a culinary arts degree; however, I instead decided to apply myself and acquire more practical skills. My end goal is to eventually open my own restaurant or similar establishment.

Kitchen Essentials

Rimmed sheet pan
Wire rack (optional, helps crisping)
3 shallow bowls or pie plates (for breading station)
Meat mallet or rolling pin
Large skillet or saucepan (for sauce)
9x13-inch baking dish
Instant-read thermometer (recommended)

I love Chicken Parm, but I do not love what it does to my stovetop when it is fried. The first time I tried baking it, the chicken was fine, but the vibe was missing. No crunch, sauce tasted flat, and the cheese did all the heavy lifting. So I started treating it like a weeknight project with standards: use a ripping hot pan, build real flavor into the crumbs, and make a sauce that’s actually worth spooning on. The “silky” part came from a late-night decision to swirl in butter and a little Parmesan at the end. It was one of those pause mid-bite moments. Okay, wow. This is the one.

Savory Baked Chicken Parmesan

(4.8 Reviews)

Prep Time 20 minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes

Total Time 50 minutes

Servings 4

Ingredients

Chicken

2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 1/2 pounds), halved horizontally into cutlets
1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
2 large eggs
1 tablespoon water
1 1/2 cups Italian-style breadcrumbs (or panko)
3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons finely grated Parmesan cheese, divided
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
3 to 4 tablespoons olive oil, divided

Silky Smooth Tomato Sauce

2 tablespoons olive oil
4 cloves garlic, finely minced
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
1/2 teaspoon sugar (optional, helps if tomatoes are sharp)
1/4 cup water or chicken broth (as needed for thickness)
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons finely grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar or lemon juice (optional, for brightness)

For Assembly

8 ounces low-moisture mozzarella, shredded or sliced
2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil or parsley (optional)

Instructions

Heat the oven and pan. Preheat to 425°F. Set a rimmed sheet pan in the oven while it heats. This is how we get that crisp, golden bottom without frying.
Prep the chicken. Pat cutlets dry. Season both sides with salt and pepper. If any are thick, gently pound to an even 1/2-inch so they cook evenly.
Set up a breading station. Bowl 1: flour. Bowl 2: eggs whisked with 1 tablespoon water. Bowl 3: breadcrumbs + 1/2 cup Parmesan + garlic powder + oregano + red pepper flakes.
Bread the cutlets. Dredge chicken in flour, dip in egg, then press into the breadcrumb mixture. Really press so it sticks.
Bake until crisp. Carefully remove the hot sheet pan. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons olive oil, then place cutlets on the pan. Drizzle or spray the tops lightly with a bit more oil. Bake 12 minutes, flip, then bake 6 to 8 minutes more until golden and the chicken hits 165°F.
Make the silky sauce. While the chicken bakes, warm 2 tablespoons olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add garlic and cook 30 to 60 seconds until fragrant. Stir in tomato paste and cook 1 minute. Add crushed tomatoes, salt, and sugar (if using). Simmer 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. If it gets too thick, add a splash of water or broth. Turn off heat and stir in butter and 2 tablespoons Parmesan until glossy. Add balsamic or lemon juice if you want a brighter finish. Taste and adjust salt.
Assemble. Lower oven to 400°F. Spoon a thin layer of sauce into a 9x13-inch baking dish. Add the baked cutlets. Spoon sauce over each cutlet (do not bury them). Top with mozzarella and the remaining 1/4 cup Parmesan.
Finish baking. Bake 8 to 10 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbling. For more color, broil for 1 to 2 minutes, watching closely.
Rest and serve. Rest 5 minutes. Top with basil. Serve with pasta, a big salad, or garlic bread.

Nutrition information is estimated.

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