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delicious cheesy chicken recipe

Parmesan Crusted Chicken

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This elegant yet comforting dish features juicy chicken breasts encased in a crispy, golden Parmesan crust, complemented by a velvety lemon-sage sauce. The contrast between the crunchy exterior and tender meat creates a restaurant-worthy meal that's surprisingly simple to prepare.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 520

Ingredients
  

  • 1/2 cup low sodium chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup dry white wine Sauvignon Blanc or unoaked Chardonnay recommended
  • 1 lemon juice and zest divided
  • 3 tablespoons minced shallots
  • 5 tablespoons cold unsalted butter cubed, divided
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese freshly grated preferred
  • 1 cup coarse dry breadcrumbs preferably homemade
  • 2 teaspoons cornstarch
  • 1-2 teaspoons minced fresh sage
  • 4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 2 egg whites
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt plus more to taste
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • white pepper to taste
  • cayenne pepper to taste

Equipment

  • Large oven-proof skillet
  • Wire rack
  • Meat mallet

Method
 

  1. Pound chicken breasts to an even 1/2-inch thickness using a meat mallet. This ensures even cooking throughout.
  2. In a wide, shallow dish, whisk together egg whites, cornstarch, and juice from half the lemon until well combined.
  3. In another dish, combine breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, parsley, kosher salt, black pepper, and lemon zest.
  4. Dip each chicken breast first in the egg mixture, then thoroughly coat in the breadcrumb mixture, patting gently to help it adhere.
  5. Place the coated chicken on a wire rack and let rest for 20-30 minutes to help the coating set.
  6. Preheat oven to 450°F.
  7. Heat olive oil in a large oven-proof skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook for about 3 minutes until golden brown on one side.
  8. Carefully flip the chicken and transfer the skillet to the preheated oven. Bake for approximately 8 minutes until chicken is cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F).
  9. While chicken bakes, prepare the sauce. In a separate pan, melt 1 tablespoon of butter and sauté the shallots until soft and translucent.
  10. Add white wine, heavy cream, chicken broth, and remaining lemon juice. Simmer until reduced by half, about 8-10 minutes.
  11. Reduce heat to low and whisk in the remaining 4 tablespoons of cold butter, one tablespoon at a time, until sauce is smooth and velvety.
  12. Stir in minced sage and season with salt, white pepper, and cayenne to taste.
  13. Serve the chicken with the sauce either pooled beneath or drizzled over the top.

Nutrition

Calories: 520kcal

Notes

For the crispiest results, make sure your oil is properly heated before adding the chicken. If the breadcrumb coating starts to brown too quickly, lower the heat slightly.
The chicken can be pounded and coated up to 4 hours ahead - just keep refrigerated on the wire rack until ready to cook.
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days, though the coating will lose some crispness. Reheat in a 350°F oven rather than microwave to help restore some crunch.

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