Parmesan Crusted Chicken
This parmesan crusted chicken gets marinated in a zesty Italian marinade, then seared and baked beneath creamy cheddar-parmesan sauce and crispy seasoned breadcrumbs.
Servings: 4 servings
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
For the Marinade
- ½ cup Italian dressing
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons buttermilk
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
For the Parmesan Crust
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup grated white cheddar cheese
- 5 tablespoons ranch dressing
- ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons butter melted
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon dried basil
Instructions
- Pound the chicken. Place the chicken breasts between two sheets of plastic wrap. Use a meat mallet to pound the chicken to ½-inch thickness. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels and season with salt and pepper.
- Make the marinade. In a bowl, whisk together the Italian dressing, mayonnaise, buttermilk, and Worcestershire sauce until smooth.
- Marinate the chicken. Add the chicken to the marinade and coat thoroughly. Let it marinate for at least 30 minutes or up to overnight.
- Sear. Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Remove the chicken from the marinade, shake off the excess, and discard the remaining marinade. Cook the chicken for 5-8 minutes on each side or until the inner temperature of the chicken reaches 165˚F. Set the chicken aside.
- Make the cheese topping. Combine the Parmesan cheese, cheddar cheese, and ranch dressing in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high for 40 seconds, then stir. Repeat this process until the mixture is fully melted.
- Prepare the breadcrumbs. In a bowl, combine melted butter, extra-virgin olive oil, breadcrumbs, garlic powder, and basil. Mix well.
- Assemble. Preheat your oven's broiler. Place the cooked chicken in a baking dish. Top each piece of the chicken with the melted cheese mixture, followed by the breadcrumb topping. Gently press the breadcrumbs onto the cheese with the back of a spoon to help them stick.
- Broil. Broil the chicken for 3–4 minutes, or until the breadcrumbs are golden brown. Remove from oven and let it rest for 5 minutes.
- Enjoy. Serve this parmesan crusted chicken warm with your favorite side dish.
Notes
- Marinade alternatives: If you don't have Italian dressing, substitute it with a mix of dry ranch dressing and olive oil.
- Cooking options: For a twist, grill the chicken instead of pan-searing it. Grilling adds a smoky flavor and helps the spices penetrate the meat.
- Cheese choices: Parmesan is essential for this dish, but feel free to experiment with other cheeses such as Provolone, Edam, Gouda, or your favorite variety.
Nutrition
Calories: 621kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 33g | Fat: 48g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 13g | Monounsaturated Fat: 17g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 121mg | Sodium: 1111mg | Potassium: 561mg | Fiber: 0.4g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 497IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 256mg | Iron: 1mg
