Name: Garlic Parmesan Crusted Chicken
Ingredients: 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 6 oz each): The foundation of our dish. Choose breasts of a similar size for even cooking.; 1 cup panko breadcrumbs: These Japanese-style breadcrumbs are lighter and flakier than traditional breadcrumbs, guaranteeing an extra-crispy crust.; ¾ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese: Use a block of Parmesan and grate it yourself for the best flavor and melting quality. Pre-shredded cheese often contains anti-caking agents that can prevent it from creating a cohesive crust.; 4 cloves garlic, minced: The aromatic heart of our recipe. Freshly minced garlic provides a pungent, savory flavor that infuses the entire crust.; 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted: This binds the topping ingredients together, helps with browning, and adds a rich, decadent flavor.; 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped: Adds a touch of bright, fresh, peppery flavor and a beautiful splash of color to the golden crust.; 1 teaspoon paprika: Lends a subtle smoky warmth and contributes to the beautiful reddish-gold color of the finished dish.; ½ teaspoon salt: Enhances all the other flavors in the dish.; ½ teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground: Provides a mild, spicy kick that complements the rich cheese and savory garlic.; 1 tablespoon olive oil: For greasing the baking dish, preventing the chicken from sticking.

Ingredients

Scale

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 6 oz each): The foundation of our dish. Choose breasts of a similar size for even cooking.
1 cup panko breadcrumbs: These Japanese-style breadcrumbs are lighter and flakier than traditional breadcrumbs, guaranteeing an extra-crispy crust.
¾ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese: Use a block of Parmesan and grate it yourself for the best flavor and melting quality. Pre-shredded cheese often contains anti-caking agents that can prevent it from creating a cohesive crust.
4 cloves garlic, minced: The aromatic heart of our recipe. Freshly minced garlic provides a pungent, savory flavor that infuses the entire crust.
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted: This binds the topping ingredients together, helps with browning, and adds a rich, decadent flavor.
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped: Adds a touch of bright, fresh, peppery flavor and a beautiful splash of color to the golden crust.
1 teaspoon paprika: Lends a subtle smoky warmth and contributes to the beautiful reddish-gold color of the finished dish.
½ teaspoon salt: Enhances all the other flavors in the dish.
½ teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground: Provides a mild, spicy kick that complements the rich cheese and savory garlic.
1 tablespoon olive oil: For greasing the baking dish, preventing the chicken from sticking.

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Instructions

Preheat and Prepare: Begin by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or a large, rimmed baking sheet with olive oil and set it aside. This simple step ensures your chicken won’t stick and makes cleanup significantly easier.
Prepare the Chicken: Place the chicken breasts on a cutting board. If they are particularly thick or uneven, it’s a good idea to pound them to an even thickness (about ¾-inch). You can do this by placing the chicken between two sheets of plastic wrap or in a large zip-top bag and gently pounding the thicker parts with a meat mallet, rolling pin, or even the bottom of a heavy skillet. This step is crucial for ensuring the chicken cooks evenly, preventing the thinner parts from drying out while the thicker parts come to temperature.
Pat the Chicken Dry: Use paper towels to pat the chicken breasts completely dry on all sides. Do not skip this step! Removing excess moisture from the surface of the chicken is the secret to achieving a crispy, well-adhered crust rather than a soggy one. Season both sides of the dried chicken breasts generously with salt and pepper.
Arrange in Baking Dish: Place the seasoned chicken breasts in a single layer inside your prepared baking dish. Make sure there is a little space between each piece of chicken to allow hot air to circulate, which aids in even cooking and browning.
Create the Topping Mixture: In a medium-sized bowl, combine the panko breadcrumbs, freshly grated Parmesan cheese, minced garlic, chopped fresh parsley, and paprika. Pour the melted butter over the dry ingredients.
Mix the Topping Thoroughly: Use a fork to toss and mix all the topping ingredients together until they are well combined. The mixture should resemble coarse, wet sand, with the butter evenly distributed. This ensures that every bite of the crust will be packed with flavor.
Apply the Crust: Spoon the Parmesan mixture evenly over the top of each chicken breast. Gently press the mixture down onto the chicken with the back of the spoon or your fingertips. This helps the crust adhere to the chicken as it bakes. Be generous with the topping; a thick layer creates the ultimate crunchy experience.
Bake to Golden Perfection: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the topping is a deep, bubbly golden brown. The most accurate way to check for doneness is with a meat thermometer; the internal temperature of the thickest part of the chicken should read 165°F (74°C).
Rest the Chicken: Once cooked, remove the baking dish from the oven. Let the chicken rest in the dish for at least 5-10 minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, resulting in a more tender and flavorful chicken breast.
Serve and Enjoy: Serve the Garlic Parmesan Crusted Chicken hot, garnished with a little extra fresh parsley if desired.

Nutrition

Serving Size: one normal portion
Calories: 480
Sodium: 550mg
Fat: 25g
Saturated Fat: 13g
Carbohydrates: 15g
Protein: 45g