The Ultimate Guide to a Truly Healthy Chicken Parmesan Recipe: Crispy, Cheesy & Guilt-Free!
This Healthy Baked Chicken Parmesan has all the crispy, cheesy goodness of traditional chicken parm — but lightened up! The chicken bakes in the oven instead of frying, keeping it lean while still delivering that satisfying crunch. It’s perfect for a weeknight dinner and pairs beautifully with pasta, salad, or roasted veggies.
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
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1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
(about 3 large breasts or 1.5 lbs chicken cutlets) -
½ cup whole wheat flour
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3 large eggs
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1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella
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1 ½ cups marinara sauce
Breading Mixture:
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1 cup whole wheat breadcrumbs (unseasoned)
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½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
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¼ teaspoon black pepper
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2 teaspoons dried basil
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2 teaspoons dried parsley
Instructions
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Prepare the chicken:
Butterfly the chicken breasts by slicing horizontally, then pound between plastic wrap to about ¼ inch thickness. You should end up with 6 cutlets. -
Preheat oven:
Set to 425°F (220°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment. -
Set up breading station:
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Bowl 1: Whole wheat flour
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Bowl 2: Whisked eggs
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Bowl 3: Breadcrumb mixture (breadcrumbs, Parmesan, pepper, basil, parsley)
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-
Bread the chicken:
Coat each cutlet in flour → egg → breadcrumbs. Press gently to adhere. -
Bake:
Place breaded cutlets on the prepared sheet and bake 15 minutes. Flip and bake 15 more minutes. -
Add sauce & cheese:
Spoon ¼ cup marinara and ¼ cup mozzarella over each cutlet.
Broil for 2 minutes until melty and golden. -
Serve & enjoy!
Pair with whole grain pasta or a fresh garden salad.
Notes
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Don’t skip pounding the chicken — it ensures quick & even cooking!
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For extra crispiness, spray the breaded cutlets lightly with olive oil before baking.
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Swap mozzarella for part-skim to reduce fat while keeping things cheesy.
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Add fresh basil or a drizzle of balsamic glaze before serving for a flavor boost.