No need to run to your favorite Italian restaurant for chicken Parmesan – you can make it at home in under 40 minutes! This quick and easy oven baked chicken Parmesan is perfect for busy families and makes great leftovers. Let me show you how to make homemade chicken Parmesan with panko today!

Do you like to try new dishes when you go to your favorite restaurant? Or do you order the same thing all the time? I am in the order the same thing all the time. Or at least 95% of the time.

For example, when I go to my favorite little Italian place I always (or almost always) order the chicken Parm. Although it’s easy to make at home, it’s a treat when going out. Probably because I don’t have to do the dishes after!

What is oven baked chicken Parmesan?

Chicken Parmesan, or chicken parmigiana, is an Italian inspired dish that consists of chicken, sauce and mozzarella cheese. It is normally served over spaghetti noodles. The chicken is breaded and either fried or baked. My oven baked chicken Parmesan is done in the oven and ready in about 40 minutes.

Baked chicken Parmesan ingredients

The ingredients are fairly simple for this recipe. To make it you will need:

3 c. tomato sauce, divided
4. boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Sea salt and black pepper
1 c. all-purpose flour
3 large eggs
1/3 c. water
1½ c. panko breadcrumbs
1 T. Italian seasoning
1¼ c. Parmesan cheese, fresh grated, divided
2 T. extra virgin olive oil, divided
6 oz. fresh Mozzarella, sliced
1 16-oz. box spaghetti

Chicken – This dish is traditionally made with chicken breasts. You want to get boneless, skinless breasts. You can also sub chicken tenders or thighs here, if needed.

Panko – Panko is Japanese style breadcrumbs that can be found in the baking aisle of most grocery stores. I love the Kikkoman panko breadcrumbs and always have a box on hand.

Italian seasoning – This is another one that I always have on hand as well. You can try homemade Italian seasoning or grab a jar of store-bought.

Parmesan – Grab a block of Parmesan and grate it at home. This gives the best flavor and is easy to do! Pre-shredded works as well and saves some time.

Mozzarella – You want to get fresh mozzarella for this recipe. Trust me – it’s worth it! You can normally find fresh mozzarella in the deli section of the grocery store. Get the one that looks like a ball or log.

Spaghetti – Chicken Parmesan is typically served with spaghetti but any pasta will work.

How to make oven baked chicken Parmesan

Once you have all your ingredients gathered you will also want to grab

• a 9×13 baking dish
• meat mallet or rolling pin
• plastic wrap
• 3 shallow bowls
• measuring cups and spoons
• skillet
• large pasta pot

Step 1 Preheat the oven

Place the top oven rack in the center position and pre-heat oven to 425ºF. Pour one cup of the tomato sauce into a 9”x13” baking dish and spread into an even layer across the bottom. Set aside.

Step 2 Pound the chicken breasts thin

Place chicken breasts between two sheets of plastic wrap and pound with a meat mallet or rolling pin until approximately ½” thick. Remove and discard top sheet of plastic wrap. Season with salt and black pepper, as desired, and set aside.

Step 3 Prepare the breading ingredients

Pour the flour onto a shallow, rimmed plate and whisk the eggs and water together in a large, wide bowl.

Add the breadcrumbs, Italian seasoning, and one-quarter cup Parmesan cheese to another shallow, rimmed plate. Season with salt and black pepper, as desired, and gently stir to combine.

Step 4 Bread the chicken

Bread each chicken breast by first lightly dredging in the flour and then coating in the egg wash.

Press each breast into the bread crumb mixture until thoroughly coated on both sides.

Step 5 Brown the breaded chicken

Heat one tablespoon olive oil or butter in a large, high-sided skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add half the chicken breasts to the skillet and cook until lightly browned on each side, approximately 4-5 minutes per side. Once browned, transfer the breasts to the baking dish and arrange in a single layer.

Step 6 Add the cheese

Top the browned chicken breasts with the sliced Mozzarella and spread the remaining tomato sauce across the top in an even layer.

Sprinkle the remaining grated Parmesan cheese on top and place the baking dish into the pre-heated oven. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through.

Chicken needs to reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

Step 7 Cook the pasta

While the chicken is baking, cook the pasta. Drain, allow to cool and save for serving with the oven baked chicken Parmesan.

Step 8 Assemble and serve

After the chicken is done cooking, remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly. Place spaghetti and the plate and top with a chicken breast. Garnish with fresh basil and additional fresh grated Parmesan cheese.

Instant Pot chicken Parmesan

Want to use your Instant Pot to make this quick and easy dinner? Try this easy Instant Pot chicken Parmesan! The chicken isn’t breaded in this recipe but it is delicious and ready in under 20 minutes!

Crock Pot chicken Parmesan

You can even make this recipe in your Crock Pot! This Crock Pot chicken Parmesan is perfect for busy nights when you want comfort food but don’t have all the time.

Side dish ideas

This dish can be served alone or you can add a simple side dish to round it out. Some side dishes I suggest are:

• homemade French bread
• oven roasted green beans
• tomato cucumber salad
• honey roasted carrots

How to store leftovers

If you have any leftover baked chicken Parmesan you are going to want to store it in an air tight container. I suggest storing the chicken in one tupperware and the pasta in another. The chicken will stay fresh in the fridge for 3-4 days.

Can I freeze it?

You can easily freeze this chicken Parmesan for another day. You are going to want to bread and brown the chicken per the instructions but bake it without the sauce and cheese. Allow to cool completely and store the breaded and baked chicken in airtight container in the freezer. To re-heat – allow the chicken to thaw and then heat in a hot skillet with a tablespoon of olive oil. This will give you the crispy texture of the original recipe.

You may want to try one of these other quick and easy chicken recipes –

• Cheesy chicken broccoli casserole
• Easy baked chicken tenders
• Instant Pot chicken and dumplings
• Instant Pot chicken and rice
• Crock pot Mississippi chicken