Simple Parmesan Crusted Chicken

Such a simple meal to impress your friends or family! This fool-proof entrée requires only seven ingredients and little culinary skill to create dinner in under an hour. Can be made with gluten free bread crumbs too!

Simple Parmesan Crusted Chicken

Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients:

Four chicken breasts, boneless and skinless ( ~ 1 ½ pounds)
½ cup butter, one stick
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
¾ cup bread crumbs, plain or seasoned or gluten free
¾ teaspoon Italian seasoning
½ teaspoon garlic powder
¼ teaspoon kosher salt
Few grinds fresh black pepper

Equipment Needed:

Dry measuring cups
Measuring spoons
Two salad bowls or small shallow bowls
13 x 9 baking pan

Preheat oven to 350 F

I used to make this chicken dish quite frequently when my children were growing up! Pretty easy to make and get dinner on the table quickly too. The ingredients are simple and I could guarantee they wouldn't turn their noses up when presented at the table. Who can resist the aroma of Parmesan cheese and herbs wafting through the air as it bakes? I know it seems to have a bit if fat, but given it’s chicken, not too bad. I have reduced the butter on occasion and coated the pan with olive oil which is an option too. You can serve the chicken with pasta or any vegetable too. Gather the ingredients and lets cook!

First cut the stick of butter into eight chunks and place in a shallow bowl wide enough to fit a chicken breast. Cover and place in the microwave for 45 – 60 seconds to melt. Covering is recommended, as butter has a tendency to spit and pop as it gets hot and I don't know about you, but I prefer not to have to scrape butter off of the top of my microwave after every use!

Place all the dry ingredients in a similar sized bowl and blend well. You can use your fingers or a spoon, if desired. This recipe is pretty easy for children to help as well. Their clean little fingers are perfect for mixing the dry ingredients too!

To prep the 13 x 9 baking pan, pour a couple tablespoons of the melted butter on the bottom of the pan and spread to coat.

Create an assembly line to make the preparation process more efficient. Chicken at one end, then butter and crumbs with your buttered baking pan at the other.

Here the assembly is best if you use one hand for dry and one hand for wet ingredients. If a little someone is helping … here they can man a station! Dip chicken in butter and turn to coat. Pick chicken up and allow excess butter to drip off and then place on top of bowl of Parmesan bread crumbs. Press chicken down into crumbs, turn breast over and repeat on the other side. When lifting, don't shake too much as you don't want to lose all the yummy cheese. Place coated breast in buttered pan and repeat the process with the remaining chicken breasts.

Any leftover crumbs can be sprinkled on top with butter drizzled too. Make sure not to waste the flavorful ingredients …

Place pan in preheated 350 F oven and bake for 45 -50 minutes or until crispy and lightly browned as shown above. Serve with pasta or cooked potatoes and vegetables and a salad for a balanced meal! Try the potatoes below too!

Sliced Potatoes & Onions

Rip off about and 18-inch piece of foil. Drizzle olive oil in center ~ 1-2 tablespoons. Slice 4-5 small potatoes thinly and place on olive oil covered foil. Slice a medium onion thinly and spread on top of potatoes. Sprinkle with ~ ½ teaspoon kosher salt and fresh ground pepper. Drizzle a bit more olive oil on top and mix with your hands to coat all with oil and seasonings. Fold foil and crimp to close on top and sides. Place on oven rack next to chicken and bake along with chicken for the 45 – 50 minutes. Remove packet and carefully open. If a browner potato is desired, place the opened packet under the broiler for a few minutes. Serve with chicken and cooked or fresh vegetables! Dinner is served!