Chicken parmesan also known as chicken parmigiana or chicken parmo is a truly delicious meal and kids absolutely love it. It is particularly nice since it's a baked chicken parmesan, not fried hence healthier you can have it with pasta, mashed potatoes, or topping portobello mushrooms for a lower-carb, protein-packed version.
You will only need a few ingredients for this delicious baked chicken parmesan recipe and this will be ready in no time.
How to make your own tomato sauce?
You will need:
- chicken thighs (approx 7-8 oz each) or chicken breast - skinless
- parmesan cheese finely grated
- bread crumbs or matzo meal
- any good melting cheese (grated)
- homemade tomato sauce (see recipe below) I also use the Marinara sauce for quickness
- garlic - finely grated or made into a paste
- salt - Himalayan or kosher
- black pepper
- yogurt
- lemon juice
Use your own homemade tomato sauce it is the best one when not in a rush.
This homemade tomato sauce is so great to make more of and use for so many dishes. It is great to have some made and at hand for any pizza, pasta, or homemade baked chicken parmesan like this one here. Make it and store it in the fridge for up to two weeks or freezer for up to 3 months.
Ingredients :
- 1 larger onion finely chopped ( onion adds to the sweetness of the sauce)
- ½ teaspoon garlic ( minced or grated on the finest grater holes)
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil
- 250g ( or approx 13 oz) Passata paste or blended chopped canned or fresh tomatoes
- Salt and black pepper
- ½ teaspoon dried Italian herbs
- 1 pinch of sugar or honey
- fresh basil, oregano, or thyme
How to make the sauce for chicken parmesan?
- Heat oil in a smaller pan or a pot. Shallow fry or sautee the chopped onion for a couple of minutes or so, add and stir in the garlic and cook for a further minute. do not caramelize or burn the garlic or onions. You want them nice, sweet, and fragrant.
- Add the tomato sauce, salt and pepper, dried herbs, and sugar if you are using them. If you decide on the honey, leave this to add at the end after turning the heat off. Cover ajar the pan or pot with a lid and allow this to simmer for 10- 15 minutes, or until the sauce has reduced slightly. Season more if you feel it is necessary. Add the freshly chopped basil and thyme for extra flavor
What can I serve chicken parmesan with?
Here are some serving suggestions side ideas this delicious baked chicken parmesan dish can be served with:
- Courgette and carrot noodle salad
- Best ever summer courgette salad
- Orzo, halloumi and olive salad
- Quinoa pasta with courgette and pesto sauce
This chicken parmesan can also be served on any pasta like angel hair, spaghetti, linguini or fettuccini, on mashed potatoes (I have made a delicious colcannon - the one in the picture above), over a nice herby couscous, or portobello mushrooms ( picture below) for a lower carbs option.
FAQs:
No worries, any hard mature cheese will do, provolone, pecorino, Romano cheese, Asiago (a saltier version) or Manchego cheese.
Chicken breast is great for this recipe as well as drumsticks as long as it's deboned.
Yes, absolutely and keep refrigerated or even frozen.
Yes, you will need to bake in the oven again for a good 20 minutes so I suggest you do freeze it uncooked and bake for 30 minutes from frozen at 190C or 375F
Other chicken recipes you may like:
- Teriyaki chicken and egg fried recipe
- Chicken with garlic and-polenta
- Teriyaki chicken skewers
- One-pot chicken, chorizo and Nduja bake
- Buffalo chicken bites with spinach and blue cheese
- Spinach and mushrooms stuffed chicken breast
- Creamy Chicken And Mushroom With Polenta
Easy Baked Chicken Parmesan
Equipment
- knife
- ovenproof dish
- spoon
- parchment paper
- grater
Ingredients
- 4 large chicken thighs (approx 7-8 oz each) or chicken breast (skinless)
- ½ cup parmesan cheese finely grated
- ¾ cup bread crumbs or matzo meal
- 8 tablespoons cheese any melting cheese (grated)
- 1.5 cup tomato sauce I used Marinara sauce
- 2 cloves garlic finely grated
- 1 pinch salt Himalayan or kosher
- ½ teaspoon pepper split
- 2 tablespoons yoghurt
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken thighs by de-boning them. Place into a glass bowl and add the yoghurt, lemon juice the garlic ( grated or made into a paste, sprinkle 1 pinch of salt, and one of pepper. Mix this into a sauce and coat the chicken well. Allow 10-15 min (or longer) to marinade.
- Preheat the oven at 200°C or 400°F.
- Combine the parmesan cheese, bread crumbs and a pinch of freshly ground back pepper into a deep plate. Mix all until homogenised.
- Prepare the oven tray or a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper.
- Dip each piece of chicken into the parmesan cheese and breadcrumb mixture. Coat well and generously. Place on the parchment paper. Do the same with the remaining three chicken thighs.
- Place the tray in the oven and bake the chicken for 20 minutes until golden brown.
- Carefully remove from oven and spoon over each chicken piece 2-3 tablespoons of the tomato sauce. Add 2 tablespoons grated cheese on top of the tomato sauce on each chicken.
- Return to the oven and bake for an extra 5-7 minutes.
- Serve over pasta, potato mash or a previously baked/cooked portobello mushroom or even rice with remaining tomato sauce.
Chef Dennis says
I love love love chicken parm! Thanks so much for sharing your tips and recipe!
Stine Mari says
I actually make chicken parmesan regularly, and I'm almost afraid to try this one as it looks like it may be better than mine!
Maria says
I love that this chicken parm is baked! It looks delicious and what a great idea to use chicken thighs as oppose to chicken breast. It adds so much flavor. Can't wait to try your variation!
Taleen | Just As Tasty says
I'm so excited about this! I love chicken parmesan and will definitely be making this for dinner soon -- my husband is going to love it too!
Lesli Schwartz says
I really love chicken parmesan! Always looking for easy ways to make it, so I will definitely be trying your recipe!
Meesha says
Love this healthier version of chicken parmesan! I actually prefer this over the traditional ones, thanks for sharing!
Sam says
Yum, this looks like total comfort! I love a good chicken parmesan but have never made it at home. Can't wait to make this.
Eden says
This chicken Parmesan looks amazing! Definitely going to put it in my meal plan!
Eileen Kelly says
The familly really enjoyed this baked chicken parm. It was super easy to prepare and the chicken was perfectly crispy. My boys gave it a thumbs up
Ramona says
Thank you so very much, dear Eileen - it really is a nice and super simple recipe to make indeed.
Jenny says
Your chicken parm is one of the best I have ever tried. We all enjoyed it so much and it was very easy to make. Thanks so much!
Ramona says
Thank you so much dear Jenny- you are most welcome! I am so happy you liked it too. 😉
Anna says
Made it couple of days ago and it went down a treat! Me and my partner really enjoyed this chicken parma, and will be definitely making it again!
Leslie says
What a gorgeous, classic, recipe! Love that you included the homemade tomato sauce with this! YUM!
Marisa F. Stewart says
I was a bit skeptical whether Hubby would like the chicken baked instead of the usual way I make it. Well, he loved it and I didn't have all that grease mess. They thighs were juicy and flavorful on the inside -- just the way we like them. This will be a regular chicken dinner recipe, for sure.
Ramona says
Thank you so much dear Marisa, the baked chicken parmesan version is as good as the fried one but much better without all that oil and grease mess, you are so right!
Paula Montenegro says
I agree that baked is healthier and tastes just as amazing! So many favorite flavors come together in this recipe, i can eat it every day. Thank you for posting this!
Mikayla says
I really liked this baked version of chicken parm! I get pretty bored with chicken and I think this will make a more regular appearance, my toddler loved it and it was really good with pasta and the homemade sauce. Thanks!
Heidy says
This was a great baked chicken parmesan recipe that our entire family enjoyed. My mother in law actually asked for your recipe link so she could print it! Well done!!! Thanks for making me the dinner hero the other night!!!