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Golden Parmesan Crusted Chicken
Golden Parmesan Crusted Chicken transforms ordinary chicken breasts into an extraordinary dinner that’ll have everyone asking for seconds. This recipe combines tender, juicy chicken with a crispy, cheesy coating that’s perfectly golden and incredibly flavorful. The secret lies in the yogurt marinade and fresh Parmesan cheese that creates an irresistible crust.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- The yogurt marinade ensures incredibly tender and juicy chicken every single time
- Fresh Parmesan cheese creates a golden, crispy crust that’s packed with savory flavor
- Ready in under 30 minutes making it perfect for busy weeknight dinners
- Kid-friendly recipe that even picky eaters will devour without complaints
- Uses simple pantry ingredients you probably already have at home
Why This Golden Parmesan Crusted Chicken Recipe Works
The magic starts with an overnight yogurt marinade that breaks down proteins, resulting in incredibly tender meat. The acidity from lemon juice enhances this tenderizing effect while adding bright flavor. Unlike traditional breaded chicken, this recipe uses fresh Parmesan cheese as the star ingredient.
Fresh Parmesan melts differently than pre-grated varieties, creating a superior golden crust. The combination of breadcrumbs and cheese provides the perfect texture contrast. Each bite delivers a satisfying crunch followed by juicy, flavorful chicken.
What You’ll Need for Golden Parmesan Crusted Chicken
Ingredients
- 2 chicken breasts (approx 550g), sliced into 4 thin cutlets
- ½ cup fat-free plain yogurt (not Greek yogurt)
- Juice of half a lemon
- 60g Italian breadcrumbs
- 120g fresh Parmesan cheese, grated or shaved
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- Pinch of black pepper and sea salt
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 eggs, whisked
- Olive oil spray
Tools
- Sharp knife for slicing chicken
- Ziplock bag for marinating
- Mini food processor or grater
- Large non-stick frying pan
- Plates for breading station
- Measuring cups and spoons
How to Make Golden Parmesan Crusted Chicken
| Step 1: | Whisk yogurt and lemon juice together until well combined |
| Step 2: | Place mixture in ziplock bag with chicken cutlets, seal and coat thoroughly |
| Step 3: | Marinate overnight in refrigerator for best results |
| Step 4: | Remove cutlets from bag, shaking off excess yogurt |
| Step 5: | Pulse Parmesan in food processor until finely grated |
| Step 6: | Mix Parmesan with breadcrumbs, garlic powder, parsley, salt, and pepper |
| Step 7: | Dip each cutlet in beaten eggs, then coat with Parmesan mixture |
| Step 8: | Heat non-stick pan over medium-high heat and spray with olive oil |
| Step 9: | Fry cutlets 5 minutes per side until golden and cooked through |
| Step 10: | Serve immediately with your favorite sides |
Chef's Helpful Tips
- Pound chicken breasts to even thickness for uniform cooking and better texture
- Don’t skip the overnight marinade – it’s crucial for tender, flavorful results
- Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese as pre-grated won’t create the same golden crust
- Keep heat at medium-high to achieve crispy coating without burning the cheese
- Let coated chicken rest 5 minutes before frying to help coating adhere better
Serving and Storage Tips for Golden Parmesan Crusted Chicken
Serving Tips
Serve your Golden Parmesan Crusted Chicken immediately for the crispiest texture. Pair it with creamy pasta or a fresh garden salad. Lemon wedges make an excellent garnish, adding brightness to each bite.
For a complete meal, consider serving alongside roasted vegetables or garlic mashed potatoes. The crispy coating pairs beautifully with marinara sauce for dipping. Kids especially love this served as chicken strips with their favorite dipping sauces.
Mistakes to Avoid while making Golden Parmesan Crusted Chicken
Using Greek yogurt instead of regular yogurt will make the marinade too thick. Pre-grated Parmesan won’t melt properly and creates a less appealing crust. Skipping the marinating time results in tougher, less flavorful chicken.
Overcrowding the pan causes steaming instead of frying, resulting in soggy coating. Too high heat burns the cheese before chicken cooks through. Not letting excess marinade drip off creates uneven coating that won’t crisp properly.
You Must Know
- Fresh Parmesan is non-negotiable – pre-grated versions contain anti-caking agents that prevent proper melting
- Chicken internal temperature must reach 165°F (74°C) for food safety
- Leftover cooked chicken keeps for 3-4 days refrigerated in airtight container
- This recipe works equally well with turkey cutlets as a variation
Suggestions for Golden Parmesan Crusted Chicken
Transform leftovers into amazing chicken sandwiches or slice for Caesar salads. Try different cheese combinations like adding Romano or Asiago to the coating. Experiment with herbs like oregano or basil in the breadcrumb mixture.
For a lighter version, bake at 400°F (200°C) for 20-25 minutes instead of frying. Add cayenne pepper to the coating for a spicy kick. This classic chicken parmesan recipe offers similar flavors with a different preparation method.
Consider making extra cutlets for meal prep. They reheat well in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10 minutes. Try this coating on fish fillets or pork chops for variety.
FAQs:
Yes, boneless skinless chicken thighs work wonderfully. They’re naturally more tender and forgiving if slightly overcooked. Adjust cooking time as thighs may need an extra minute or two.
The coating should be golden brown and chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). The meat will be white throughout with no pink areas when cut.
You can marinate the chicken up to 24 hours ahead. Bread the cutlets up to 2 hours before cooking, keeping them refrigerated. For best results, cook just before serving.
Popular pairings include garlic bread, Caesar salad, roasted vegetables, or pasta with marinara. For a lighter option, try it with a simple arugula salad dressed with lemon vinaigrette.
Simply substitute regular breadcrumbs with gluten-free breadcrumbs or crushed gluten-free crackers. Ensure all other ingredients are certified gluten-free. The taste and texture remain excellent.
Conclusion
Golden Parmesan Crusted Chicken delivers restaurant-quality results in your own kitchen. The combination of tender meat and crispy, cheesy coating makes it a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. With simple ingredients and straightforward techniques, you’ll master this recipe quickly.
Whether you’re cooking for family dinner or entertaining guests, this recipe never disappoints. The overnight marinade might require planning, but the incredible results are worth the wait. Try this ultimate chicken casserole for another delicious chicken dinner option.
Give this Golden Parmesan Crusted Chicken recipe a try tonight. Your family will thank you, and it might just become your new go-to chicken dinner. Don’t forget to explore more recipes like this parmesan crusted variation for inspiration.
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📖 Recipe Card
Golden Parmesan Crusted Chicken Recipe
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
Transform ordinary chicken into an extraordinary dinner with this crispy, cheesy Golden Parmesan Crusted Chicken. The yogurt marinade ensures incredibly tender meat while fresh Parmesan creates an irresistible golden crust.
Ingredients
- 2 chicken breasts (approx 550g), sliced into 4 thin cutlets
- ½ cup fat-free plain yogurt (not Greek yogurt)
- Juice of half a lemon
- 60g Italian breadcrumbs
- 120g fresh Parmesan cheese, grated or shaved
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- Pinch of black pepper and sea salt
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 eggs, whisked
- Olive oil spray
Instructions
- Whisk yogurt and lemon juice together until well combined
- Place mixture in ziplock bag with chicken cutlets, seal and coat thoroughly
- Marinate overnight in refrigerator for best results
- Remove cutlets from bag, shaking off excess yogurt
- Pulse Parmesan in food processor until finely grated
- Mix Parmesan with breadcrumbs, garlic powder, parsley, salt, and pepper
- Dip each cutlet in beaten eggs, then coat with Parmesan mixture
- Heat non-stick pan over medium-high heat and spray with olive oil
- Fry cutlets 5 minutes per side until golden and cooked through
- Serve immediately with your favorite sides
Notes
- Pound chicken breasts to even thickness for uniform cooking and better texture
- Don’t skip the overnight marinade – it’s crucial for tender, flavorful results
- Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese as pre-grated won’t create the same golden crust
- Keep heat at medium-high to achieve crispy coating without burning the cheese
- Let coated chicken rest 5 minutes before frying to help coating adhere better
- Prep Time: 15 minutes (plus overnight marinating)
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Pan-Fried
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cutlet
- Calories: 285
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 580mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 125mg
Keywords: parmesan chicken recipe, crispy chicken cutlets, yogurt marinated chicken, cheesy crusted chicken breast, Italian breadcrumb chicken, easy weeknight chicken dinner, tender chicken parmesan
