This parmesan crusted chicken recipe is perfect to make for any day of the week. From the kitchen to your table will only take 35 minutes. Easy and delicious, does it get any better?
There are some nights I find it cathartic to come home and whip up a fancy meal, but other nights I want to binge watch something on TV.
Baked Chicken Breasts
Garlic Parmesan Chicken is a baked breaded chicken recipe that has been used by busy moms for decades. Sometimes called Mayo Chicken, Mayonnaise Chicken or even Hellman’s Chicken because it was created by the iconic mayonnaise brand.
Mayonnaise, minced garlic, parmesan cheese, salt & pepper, Italian breadcrumbs, and boneless skinless chicken breast. Six ingredients, that’s all you need to make this deliciously easy and tender baked chicken recipe.
Parmesan Breading for Chicken
This recipe doesn’t use your typical process of breading, flour, egg and then bread crumbs. Instead it uses what I call a mayonnaise hack.
Mayonnaise is made with eggs and oil so it accomplish two goals. The first is to hold all your yummy bread crumb seasoning in place and the second is to keep your chicken juicy and moist.
No melting off the sides like some sauces would, it actually bakes up and holds it all!
Make Mayonnaise Chicken
First, you’ll want to tenderize or pound out your chicken breasts for two reasons.
The first reason is that boneless skinless chicken breasts are a fairly uneven shape with one end tapering off and being super thin with the other up to 2 inches in diameter.
In order for the thickest part to cook fully the tapered end starts to get dry and rubbery. If your entire breast is the same thickness, this does not happen and you get juicy baked chicken through and through.
PRO TIP: If you don’t want to tenderize, use a sharp knife and cut breasts in half lengthwise.
The second reason is that is breaks down fibers that can otherwise be perceived as chewy. The breast will be quite large after flattening, so I typically cut them in half to be more manageable.
Mayo Chicken Topping
Season your chicken with salt and pepper.
Next you’ll mix up mayonnaise, garlic and Parmesan cheese in a small bowl.
Spread it evenly on top of each chicken breast.
Spoon seasoned bread crumbs on top of garlic mayo and press lightly to adhere.
Bake them up and that is it!
What to serve with chicken:
I like to pair mine with something green like asparagus or a leafy salad.
Rice pilaf or baked potatoes are also great options!
More easy chicken recipes:
- BBQ Chicken Pinwheels
- Honey Garlic Chicken
- Oven Fried Chicken
- Baked Southwest Chicken
- Grilled Lemon Pepper Chicken
- Pan Seared Chicken Breast
King Ranch Chicken Casserole Recipe
Ranch Grilled Chicken
Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan
Tools:
Rimmed Baking Sheet– another kitchen staple! You’ll use this for prep work, roasting and much more. I have 7 at my house.
Meat Mallet
– Also known as a meat tenderizer, I used to refer to any chicken recipe that used a tenderizer as “pounded chicken breast”.
Tenderizing chicken not only makes it a uniform thickness so it cooks more evenly, it also breaks down fibers making it more tender and easy to chew.
Mixing Bowls– make sure to check out my article on Using the Right Mixing Bowl, you’d be surprised how many people aren’t!
Baked Garlic Parmesan Chicken
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese finely shredded
- Fine sea salt and freshly ground pepper
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 2-6 tablespoons bread crumbs with Italian seasoning
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
- In a small bowl combine mayonnaise, garlic and parmesan cheese.
- Lay each breast on a cutting board, cover with plastic wrap and tenderize until ½ inch thick using the flat side of the meat mallet. Repeat with each breast. Transfer to a baking dish lightly coated with cooking spray.
- Season each chicken breast with fine sea salt and freshly ground pepper. Divide mayonnaise mixture evenly on each chicken breast, spreading out to the edges. Spoon and lightly press bread crumbs into each chicken breast.
- Bake for 20- 25 minutes or until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees. This can vary depending on the size of your chicken breasts.
- Remove and garnish with minced parsley or additional parmesan cheese, if desired.
- If you’ve tried this recipe, come back and let us know how it was!
Nutrition
I’ve made this several times and we have loved it every time
Bravo! As a retired executive chef from NYC, I applaud your use of mayonnaise. I’ve been using mayo coatings for decades and have been trying to encourage others to do the same, especially for things like griddled sandwiches. It’s easier to work with than butter. It spreads more evenly. It’s less greasy and adds a bit of ‘savory’ to the dish. Well done.
Amen! LOVE it! It’s the best on grilled cheese, right?
Hello, The recipe looks great, I am just unsure of the measurements. When you say 4 chicken breast do you mean 4 whole half pound chicken breast or do you mean 4 half chicken breast which would equal a quarter pound each?
I mean 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts. I will make that more clear in the instructions. Those too can vary greatly in size, look for a medium size so they can cook evenly, filet them in half lengthwise or pound then out with a tenderizer.
I absolutely love this recipe. It is so good!
Thank you, Sandra!
This looks like my next go-to weeknight meal! My family will love this! Pinned!