Chicken Parmesan offers a delightful twist on the classic Italian dish, providing a healthier yet equally tantalizing alternative to its traditionally fried counterpart. This dish marries the succulence of baked chicken with the rich flavors of Parmesan cheese and herb-infused tomato sauce, creating a harmonious blend that pleases the palate and comforts the soul.
The process starts with coating chicken breasts in a mixture of breadcrumbs and grated Parmesan, which, when baked, achieves a golden, crispy exterior while keeping the chicken moist and tender inside.
Baked Chicken Parmesan is a lighter version of the classic. To lighten this dish up, bake the chicken parmesan in the oven instead of deep-frying it. It will save on a ton of calories and added fat. If you are into air frying I also have an Air Fryer Baked Chicken Parmesan recipe on this site. I made this recipe before air fryers were popular.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Weight Watchers-friendly – This lighter version makes it easy to enjoy Chicken Parmesan while keeping your meal plan in mind.
Lighter comfort food – Enjoy all the cheesy, crispy goodness of Chicken Parmesan without a heavy restaurant-style breading.
Easy to make – With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, this is an easy weeknight dinner.
Crispy and cheesy – Golden panko breadcrumbs and melted fresh mozzarella make every bite delicious.
Family-friendly – Classic Italian-inspired flavors make this a dinner everyone can enjoy.
Serve this Chicken Parmesan with my Weight Watchers Marinara Sauce Recipe.
Ingredients Needed
- Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts – Lean chicken breasts are sliced in half to create thinner pieces that cook quickly and evenly.
- Panko Breadcrumbs – Light and crispy breadcrumbs that give the chicken a delicious golden coating.
- Eggs – Helps the breadcrumb mixture stick to the chicken for a crisp coating.
- Freshly Grated Parmesan Cheese – Adds savory, cheesy flavor to the crispy breadcrumb coating.
- Italian Seasoning – A blend of classic herbs that adds extra flavor to the chicken and breading.
- Marinara Sauce – Use your favorite store-bought marinara sauce for a quick and flavorful topping.
- Basil – Fresh basil adds a pop of color and a bright herb flavor when used as a garnish.
- Fresh Mozzarella Slices – Creamy, mild mozzarella melts beautifully over the chicken for the classic Chicken Parmesan finish.
How to Make Baked Chicken Parmesan
For the full recipe please see the recipe card below.
Preheat Oven to 450.
Split each chicken breast in half. In a shallow dish combine the bread crumbs, Italian seasoning, and parmesan cheese.
Crack an egg into another shallow dish and whisk it to combine. Dip the chicken into the eggs and then into the bread crumb mixture and lay on a sheet pan with a cooling rack.
Repeat this process 4 times.
Spray the chicken with cooking spray, and cook the chicken at 450 for 20 minutes. Spoon 1 tablespoon of marinara sauce on each piece of chicken and some cheese and place the chicken back into the pan until the cheese is melted. Garnish with freshly chopped basil.
Pro Tips for Chicken Parmesan
- Pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness so they cook evenly and stay tender.
- Use a light coating of breadcrumbs rather than a thick breading to keep the chicken crispy without adding unnecessary calories.
- Spray the breaded chicken lightly with cooking spray before baking to help it turn golden and crisp.
- Don't add the mozzarella until the chicken is nearly finished baking. This helps the cheese melt without overcooking the chicken.
- Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness. Chicken should reach 165°F in the thickest part.
- Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before serving so the juices can redistribute.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this lighter Chicken Parmesan with spaghetti, whole-wheat pasta, or zucchini noodles and a spoonful of marinara sauce.
For a lower-point option, pair it with roasted vegetables, steamed broccoli, a simple green salad, or spaghetti squash.
A small side of garlic bread can also be served with it when you have room in your meal plan.
Storage and Freezing
Store leftover Baked Chicken Parmesan in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3–4 days.
For the best texture, reheat the chicken in the oven or air fryer until heated through. This helps the breading stay crisp instead of becoming soggy.
To freeze, allow the cooked chicken to cool completely. Wrap individual portions tightly and place them in a freezer-safe container or bag. Freeze for up to 3 months.
If you’ve tried this Weight Watchers Baked Chicken Parmesan recipe or any other recipe on the site, let me know in the comment section how it turned out. Snap a picture and upload it to share on Pinterest
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Weight Watchers Baked Chicken Parmesan
- Prep Time: 20min
- Cook Time: 20min
- Total Time: 40min
- Yield: 4 1x
- Category: Easy
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: American
Description
Baked Chicken Parmesan is a lighter version of the classic. To lighten this dish up, bake the chicken parmesan in the oven instead of deep-frying it.
Ingredients
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, split in half
- ¾ cup of panko bread
- 2 eggs
- 3 tablespoons of freshly grated parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon of Italian Seasoning
- 4 tablespoons of Marinara Sauce (store bought)
- Basil for garnish
- 4 Fresh Mozzarella Slices
Instructions
- Preheat Oven to 450.
- Split each chicken breast in half. Pat the chicken dry with a paper towel. In a shallow dish combine the bread crumbs, Italian seasoning, and parmesan cheese.
- Crack an egg into another shallow dish and whisk it to combine. Dip the chicken into the eggs and then into the bread crumb mixture and lay on a sheet pan with a cooling rack.
- Repeat this process 4 times.
- Spray the chicken with cooking spray, and cook the chicken at 450 for 20 minutes. Spoon 1 tablespoon of marinara sauce on each piece of chicken and some cheese and place the chicken back into the pan until the cheese is melted. Garnish with freshly chopped basil.
- Serving size: 1 chicken breast + 2 tablespoons of marinara sauce.
Notes
myWW points: Blue 5; Green 8; Purple 5 (WW recipe builder)
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast
- Calories: 253
- Sugar: 1g
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 11g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 29g
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