This crispy Parmesan and Panko Crusted Chicken is a perfect weeknight dinner recipe. Quick and easy to make, healthy, and oh-so-delicious! Tender chicken coated with parmesan, panko bread crumbs, and dried herbs and spices.
(Air Fryer Cooking Option Available)
Jump to:
- Baked Panko Breaded Chicken Weeknight Recipe
- Ingredients & Notes
- Recipe Variations
- How To Make Panko Chicken with Parmesan
- Air Fryer Panko Crusted Chicken
- What To Serve With Panko-Crusted Chicken Cutlets
- Tips For Making The Perfect Panko Chicken
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Storage And Reheating Instructions
- Parmesan & Panko Crusted Chicken
Baked Panko Breaded Chicken Weeknight Recipe
I love making this easy chicken recipe for dinner on a busy weeknight. This easy panko chicken tenders recipe is the best family dinner recipe - everybody always loves it.
It's so simple to prepare this dish with only a 10-minute prep time and a cook time of 20 minutes. You can make these panko chicken breasts in the oven or in an air fryer. Either way, they always turn out juicy and tender with a crispy parmesan and panko breadcrumb crust.
The crunchy crumb coating has lots of delicious spices and herbs added to it to make it incredibly flavorful and tasty. It is also a versatile dish that can be served in many different ways and with many different flavors.
So read on to learn more about Parmesan and Panko Crusted Chicken!
Why you'll love this easy recipe
- Healthier meal option. This recipe is high in protein and because it is baked and not fried it is lower in fat and calories. Panko breadcrumbs are also healthier than regular breadcrumbs.
- Easy to make. It is so simple to prepare and cook this delicious dish. And you don't have to watch over it on the stovetop adjusting the temperature to try and get the perfect golden coating while also not overcooking the chicken.
- Full of flavor. The spice and herb mix in the coating is so tasty and perfectly complements the juicy chicken breasts.
Ingredients & Notes
This recipe is super simple and uses pantry staple ingredients. I love the spice mix but you can omit any herbs or spices you don't have or are not a fan of! The ingredients you will need are:
- Panko crumbs - Unseasoned panko bread crumbs are key to the crispy golden coating of the chicken. If you don't have panko, you can use regular breadcrumbs, but the coating will turn out differently and may not get quite as crispy.
- Parmesan Cheese - Fresh parmesan that is finely grated is best for this dish. The fresh cheese melts better during the cooking process too!
- Chicken Breasts - Boneless skinless chicken breast is the best option for this recipe, but you can use chicken thighs or chicken cutlets instead if preferred. Ensure that your chicken breasts are fairly thin so that they cook evenly.
- Butter - Melted butter gives the chicken its juicy taste and keeps the coating extra crispy.
- Spices and seasoning - Garlic powder, onion powder, ground paprika, salt, and crushed black pepper.
- Dried herbs - Parsley and origanum. You can also substitute these herbs with dried basil or mixed Italian herbs.
- Eggs - This helps the crumb mixture stick to the chicken. For an alternative, you can use mayonnaise instead.
Optional Garnishes
- Lemon wedges
- Chopped fresh parsley
- Your favorite dipping sauce
Find a recipe card at the bottom of this post for exact ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions.
Recipe Variations
Lemon Panko Chicken
Add a little lemon zest to the crumb coating for a lemon chicken variation. You can also serve any variation of this panko chicken recipe with lemon wedges and a squeeze of lemon juice.
Spicy Panko Chicken
For a spicy chicken recipe, add 1 teaspoon of chili powder or cayenne pepper to the panko bread crumb mixture. This will give the panko recipe a little heat and spicy kick.
How To Make Panko Chicken with Parmesan
Step One
Combine the panko bread crumbs, parmesan, herbs, and seasoning in a small bowl. Whisk it all together to make sure everything is fully combined.
Step Two
In a separate bowl whisk the eggs and dip each chicken cutlet in the egg mixture before dipping or coating the chicken with the panko bread mixture.
Step Three
Place the coated chicken cutlets on a prepared baking sheet and spray or brush each cutlet with olive oil.
Step Four
Bake the chicken for 20 minutes or until cooked through and golden brown. (Make sure that the chicken has reached an internal temperature of 165ºF before removing the chicken from the oven.)
See the recipe card below for the full written instructions, including ingredient amounts, cooking times, helpful tips, etc.
Air Fryer Panko Crusted Chicken
Parmesan panko chicken is a great air fryer meal. It is quick and easy to make and perfect for cooking in an air fryer.
To make this recipe in an air fryer, follow the same instructions to coat the chicken. Then place two chicken breasts in the air fryer at a time and cook for 10 minutes at 375 then flip them over and air fry for another 5-10 minutes.
What To Serve With Panko-Crusted Chicken Cutlets
Panko crumbed chicken is a delicious main meal that is delicious any time of the year. With a juicy inside and crispy outside, this 30-minute meal is my go-to weeknight dinner for busy days.
Made with paprika and dried herbs this main meal pairs well with most side dishes. It is super versatile and a great meal prep option.
Make this recipe ahead and serve it with pasta or rice dishes or cut into smaller pieces and serve it in a salad and sandwiches.
Panko Chicken Serving Suggestions
- Cheesy Brussel Sprouts - This one-pan cheesy brussel sprout recipe pairs perfectly with this parmesan-crusted chicken. Both are quick and easy to make with minimal clean-up.
- 20 Vegetable Sides Dishes - Find some healthy inspiration with this list of veggie side dishes- everything from fresh salads to roasted vegetables. This chicken cutlet recipe goes with just about anything.
- Broccoli Avocado Pesto Pasta - Bake panko breaded chicken and cut each cutlet into smaller pieces and serve it with this creamy avocado pesto pasta.
- One Pot Lemon Ricotta Pasta - This is one of my favorite recipes to pair with baked panko chicken. The combination of parmesan and ricotta works beautifully together.
- Easy Crack Green Beans - This simple recipe transforms green beans into a saucy, flavorful side dish that everyone will love! And it is the perfect side dish for crispy chicken!
- Pink Sauce Pasta - A winning combination for a quick and cozy meal! Slice up the cooked chicken and serve it on top of a big bowl of this tasty pasta.
Tips For Making The Perfect Panko Chicken
- Use boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs: This will ensure that the chicken stays juicy and tender during cooking.
- Make sure the chicken is dry before coating: If the chicken is wet, the breadcrumbs won't stick as well. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels before coating.
- Use a three-step breading process: Dredge the chicken in flour, then dip it in beaten eggs, and finally coat it in Panko breadcrumbs. This will ensure that the breadcrumbs adhere well to the chicken and create a crispy crust.
- Use a non-stick baking sheet: This will prevent the chicken from sticking to the pan and will also make cleaning up easier.
- Preheat the oven: Allowing the oven to preheat before adding the chicken will ensure that it cooks evenly.
- Bake, don't fry: Baking the chicken in the oven is a healthier alternative to frying it, and it still creates a crispy crust.
- Season the chicken: Adding spices and seasonings to the chicken will enhance its flavor and create a more enjoyable eating experience.
- Serve with dipping sauces: Offering a variety of dipping sauces will allow guests to customize their Panko chicken to their personal tastes.
- Let the chicken rest: Allowing the chicken to rest for a few minutes after baking will help it retain its juiciness.
- Store leftovers properly: To keep the chicken crispy, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. To reheat, bake it in the oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes, or until it is heated through.
Frequently Asked Questions
Panko bread crumbs are Japanese-style bread crumbs. They are extra crunchy and add a lot of crispiness to any recipe. They are made from lightly baked coarse breadcrumbs.
Panko bread crumbs are lower in calories, fat, and sodium than regular breadcrumbs. This makes panko breadcrumbs a healthier alternative to using regular breadcrumbs to coat chicken.
To make panko stick to chicken without using eggs, spread mayonnaise on each side of the chicken breasts and then coat with panko mixture.
Yes - Panko can be cooked in the oven! Panko breadcrumbs are a great option for making crispy baked dishes. They’re light and crispy crumbs and an easy ingredient to work with.
Cooking times for chicken breasts vary based on how thick they are. But for thin chicken breasts, they should take between 15-22 minutes at 400 degrees.
Storage And Reheating Instructions
- Allow the chicken to cool: Let the chicken cool to room temperature before storing it, as storing it while it is still hot can cause the breading to become soggy.
- Wrap the chicken properly: Wrap the chicken in plastic wrap or aluminum foil to prevent air from getting in and causing the breading to become stale.
- Store in the refrigerator: Place the wrapped chicken in an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Freeze for longer storage: If you won't be eating the chicken within 4 days, you can freeze it for longer storage. Wrap the chicken in plastic wrap, then place it in a freezer-safe bag or container and store it in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- Reheat properly: To reheat the chicken, preheat your oven to 350°F and bake the chicken on a baking sheet for 10-15 minutes, or until it is heated through. You can also reheat the chicken in an air fryer.
Parmesan & Panko Crusted Chicken
Crispy panko-crusted chicken with dried herbs and served with fresh parsley and lemon wedges. Tender chicken coated with parmesan, panko bread crumbs, and dried herbs and spices.
Ingredients
- 4 chicken breasts (or 2 thick breasts cut in half)
- 2 eggs, whisked
- 1 cup panko crumbs
- ½ cup parmesan cheese, finely grated
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon dried origanum
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425ºF and spray a baking sheet with non-stick spray.
- In a small mixing bowl, combine all ingredients except for the chicken and eggs.
- Dip each chicken breast in the whisked eggs and then dip into the panko mixture.
- Place the crumbed chicken breasts on the baking sheet and top with the leftover panko mixture.
- Use an olive oil spray to lightly spray the chicken breasts.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until cooked through and golden brown.
See Notes below for Airfryer cooking instructions.
Notes
Make sure that the chicken has reached an internal temperature of 165ºF before removing the chicken from the oven.
Air Fryer Panko Crusted Chicken
To make this recipe in an air fryer, follow the same instructions to coat the chicken. Then place two chicken breasts in the air fryer at a time and bake fry for 10 minutes at 375 then flip them over and air fry for another 5-10 minutes.
Recipe Tips
- Use boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs: This will ensure that the chicken stays juicy and tender during cooking.
- Make sure the chicken is dry before coating: If the chicken is wet, the breadcrumbs won't stick as well. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels before coating.
- Use a three-step breading process: Dredge the chicken in flour, then dip it in beaten eggs, and finally coat it in Panko breadcrumbs. This will ensure that the breadcrumbs adhere well to the chicken and create a crispy crust.
- Use a non-stick baking sheet: This will prevent the chicken from sticking to the pan and will also make cleaning up easier.
- Preheat the oven: Allowing the oven to preheat before adding the chicken will ensure that it cooks evenly.
- Bake, don't fry: Baking the chicken in the oven is a healthier alternative to frying it, and it still creates a crispy crust.
- Season the chicken: Adding spices and seasonings to the chicken will enhance its flavor and create a more enjoyable eating experience.
- Serve with dipping sauces: Offering a variety of dipping sauces will allow guests to customize their Panko chicken to their personal tastes.
- Let the chicken rest: Allowing the chicken to rest for a few minutes after baking will help it retain its juiciness.
- Store leftovers properly: To keep the chicken crispy, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. To reheat, bake it in the oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes, or until it is heated through.
I hope you love this Parmesan and Panko Crusted Chicken recipe! And follow me on Instagram or Facebook for even more delicious recipes!
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