Crispy Parmesan Chicken Cutlets (Print Version)

Tender chicken cutlets baked with a crispy Parmesan and breadcrumb crust for a golden finish.

# What You'll Need:

→ Chicken

01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (approximately 1.5 lbs)

→ Breading

02 - 1/2 cup all-purpose flour (60 g)
03 - 2 large eggs
04 - 1 tablespoon milk
05 - 1 cup panko breadcrumbs (60 g)
06 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (50 g)
07 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
08 - 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs (basil, oregano, or mixed)
09 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
10 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

→ To Finish

11 - Olive oil spray or 2 tablespoons olive oil
12 - Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
13 - Lemon wedges (optional, for serving)

# How To Make It:

01 - Preheat the oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil and lightly grease or spray it with olive oil.
02 - Butterfly each chicken breast by slicing horizontally, then gently pound to an even 1/2-inch thickness using a meat mallet. Pat dry with paper towels.
03 - Arrange three shallow bowls: place the flour in the first, whisk eggs and milk together in the second, and combine panko, Parmesan, garlic powder, Italian herbs, salt, and pepper in the third.
04 - Dredge each cutlet in flour, shaking off excess, then dip into the egg mixture. Press both sides firmly into the panko-Parmesan mixture until thoroughly coated.
05 - Place the breaded cutlets on the prepared baking sheet. Lightly drizzle or spray with olive oil to promote a crispy crust.
06 - Bake for 22 to 25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until cutlets are golden brown and reach an internal temperature of 165°F.
07 - Serve hot, optionally garnished with fresh parsley and accompanied by lemon wedges.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • You get that fried chicken crunch without the mess or guilt of deep frying.
  • It comes together in under 45 minutes from start to table.
  • Leftovers reheat beautifully and make incredible sandwiches the next day.
  • The Parmesan and Italian herbs taste fancy but require no special skills.
02 -
  • Pat your chicken completely dry before breading, otherwise the coating won't stick properly and you'll end up with a disappointing mess.
  • Don't skip the egg wash, it's what glues your Parmesan crust to the chicken and prevents it from sliding off.
  • Flip the cutlets halfway through baking so the bottom gets as golden as the top, this makes all the difference in texture.
03 -
  • Make the panko mixture the night before and keep it in an airtight container so your breading station comes together faster on busy weeknights.
  • If you have leftover breaded cutlets, freeze them on the baking sheet before transferring to a freezer bag, then bake directly from frozen with an extra 5 minutes.
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