The short answer: for Parmesan crusted chicken, pound chicken breasts to ¾ inch, coat with mayo or egg, press on a mix of Parmesan and panko, and bake at 425°F for 18 to 22 minutes until the center reads 165°F. It is crispy, cheesy and on the table in about 30 minutes.
- Key numbers: 4 chicken breasts · ¾ cup Parmesan · ½ cup panko · 425°F · 165°F inside · serves 4
- Top moves: even thickness, pat dry, use a binder, press the crust on, rest 5 minutes after baking
- Free and paid next step: get the free recipe book starter pages (we email it to you), or plan the week with the Meal Planner & Grocery List ($3.99).
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Prep time: 15 minCook time: 24 minTotal time: 44 minServings: 4 servingsTotal includes 5 min of resting, chilling or rising.
Amounts, times and temperatures for this Parmesan crusted chicken were checked November 8, 2026.
Parmesan crusted chicken ingredients
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Boneless chicken breasts | 4 (about 2 lb) | Pound to ¾ inch or slice in half |
| Mayonnaise (or 1 egg + 1 tbsp Dijon) | ½ cup | The binder |
| Grated Parmesan | ¾ cup | Divided: ¼ cup in the mayo, ½ cup in the crust |
| Panko breadcrumbs | ½ cup | Italian breadcrumbs also work |
| Garlic powder | 1 teaspoon | |
| Italian seasoning or dried oregano | 1 teaspoon | |
| Paprika | ½ teaspoon | For color |
| Salt + pepper | To taste | Go light; Parmesan is salty |
| Olive oil spray or melted butter | 1 to 2 tablespoons | Helps browning |
| Lemon + parsley | To serve |
How to make Parmesan crusted chicken
- Prep. Heat the oven to 425°F and line a sheet pan with foil or parchment; set a rack on it if you have one.
- Even out the chicken. Pound breasts to ¾ inch between plastic wrap, or slice thick breasts in half horizontally. Pat dry and season lightly.
- Coat. Stir mayo with ¼ cup Parmesan and garlic powder. Spread a thin layer on top and sides of each breast.
- Crust. Mix panko, ½ cup Parmesan, Italian seasoning and paprika. Press it firmly onto the coated chicken. Spray or drizzle with oil.
- Bake. Bake 18 to 22 minutes until golden and a thermometer reads 165°F in the thickest part. Broil 1 to 2 minutes if you want a deeper crust.
- Rest. Rest 5 minutes, then finish with lemon and parsley.
Wash hands after handling raw chicken and do not rinse the chicken in the sink; USDA FSIS explains why.
Bake, air fryer or pan-fry
| Method | Temperature | Time (¾-inch breasts) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oven | 425°F | 18 to 22 minutes | Rack helps the bottom crisp |
| Air fryer | 380°F | 10 to 14 minutes, flip halfway | Cook in one layer |
| Pan-fry | Medium heat, ¼ inch oil | 4 to 5 minutes per side | Egg-and-crumb coating works best |
| Grill + broil (LongHorn style) | Grill, then broil topping | 12 to 14 min grill + 2 to 3 min broil | Topping: Parmesan, provolone, garlic butter, panko |
Every method finishes the same way: 165°F in the thickest part.
Parmesan crusted chicken vs chicken Parmesan
| Dish | Coating | Topping | Our page |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parmesan crusted chicken | Parmesan + crumbs | None, or lemon | This page |
| Chicken Parmesan | Breadcrumbs | Marinara + mozzarella | Chicken Parmesan |
| Chicken piccata | Light flour | Lemon-caper sauce | Chicken piccata |
Sides and leftovers
- Sides: garlic green beans, roasted potatoes, Caesar salad, pasta primavera or buttered noodles.
- Leftovers: refrigerate within 2 hours and eat within about 3 to 4 days. Reheat at 375°F or in the air fryer until hot to keep the crust crisp.
- Meal prep: slice cold leftovers over salad or into wraps for lunch.
More chicken dinners: chicken breast recipes, baked chicken breast, air fryer chicken breast and Tuscan chicken.
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Frequently asked questions
What is Parmesan crusted chicken? Parmesan crusted chicken is chicken breast coated in grated Parmesan and breadcrumbs (often panko), then baked, pan-fried or air-fried until crisp. Unlike chicken Parmesan, it has no marinara and no melted mozzarella on top.
What is the difference between Parmesan crusted chicken and chicken Parmesan? Parmesan crusted chicken has a crisp cheese-and-crumb coating and is served plain or with a light sauce. Chicken Parmesan is breaded chicken topped with marinara and melted mozzarella. See our chicken Parmesan page for that dish.
What temperature do you bake Parmesan crusted chicken? Bake Parmesan crusted chicken at 425°F for 18 to 22 minutes for ¾-inch breasts, until a thermometer in the thickest part reads 165°F, the safe minimum for poultry.
How do you get Parmesan to stick to chicken? Get Parmesan to stick to chicken by patting the chicken dry, then using a binder: a thin layer of mayonnaise mixed with Parmesan, or a dip in beaten egg or Dijon. Press the crumb mix on firmly and let it rest 5 minutes before baking.
Is the mayo version of Parmesan crusted chicken good? Yes, the mayo version of Parmesan crusted chicken is a popular shortcut. Mayo keeps the chicken juicy and helps the cheese brown. Use ½ cup mayo and ½ cup Parmesan for 4 breasts, then top with panko.
What is LongHorn Parmesan crusted chicken? LongHorn Steakhouse serves grilled chicken breasts topped with a garlic Parmesan cheese crust. Copycat versions grill or bake the chicken, top it with Parmesan, provolone, garlic butter and panko, then broil 2 to 3 minutes to brown.
Can I make Parmesan crusted chicken in the air fryer? Yes, you can make Parmesan crusted chicken in the air fryer. Cook coated ¾-inch breasts at 380°F for 10 to 14 minutes, flipping halfway, until they reach 165°F inside.
Should I pound chicken breasts for Parmesan crusted chicken? Pounding chicken breasts to an even ¾ inch is the best way to keep Parmesan crusted chicken juicy. Even thickness means the thin end does not dry out before the thick end hits 165°F. Butterflying or slicing in half also works.
What do you serve with Parmesan crusted chicken? Serve Parmesan crusted chicken with roasted potatoes, garlic green beans, a Caesar salad, buttered pasta or mashed potatoes. A squeeze of lemon brightens the crust.
How long does Parmesan crusted chicken last? Parmesan crusted chicken lasts about 3 to 4 days in the fridge. Refrigerate within 2 hours and reheat in a 375°F oven or the air fryer to keep the crust crisp.
How do I plan Parmesan crusted chicken into a week of dinners? The Meal Planner & Grocery List ($3.99) from HomeBase Paper Co. has a weekly menu and an aisle-sorted grocery list. Buy a family pack of chicken and plan this crust one night and a skillet dish another.
Where can I save my Parmesan crusted chicken recipe? The Family Recipe Binder ($6.99) from HomeBase Paper Co. has fillable recipe pages, so your crust mix, oven time and favorite sides stay with your other chicken dinners.
Sources
- FoodSafety.gov: Safe minimum internal temperatures foodsafety.gov
- USDA FSIS: Chicken from farm to table fsis.usda.gov
- USDA FSIS: Leftovers and food safety fsis.usda.gov