Crispy Parmesan Chicken in 30 Minutes

Crafting a delicious and satisfying dinner during a busy week doesn’t have to be a time-consuming affair. This recipe for crispy Parmesan chicken is designed to deliver outstanding results with minimal effort and in record time. The approach is straightforward: combine thinly sliced chicken breast with a rich, fragrant coating, then bake in the oven until perfectly golden. The key lies in the mixture of Panko breadcrumbs, crushed unsweetened cornflakes, and generous amounts of finely grated Parmesan cheese, which creates an irresistible crust and a profound depth of flavour. With approximately 10 minutes of preparation and 15-18 minutes of cooking, this dish exemplifies how great home cooking can seamlessly integrate into your daily routine, offering a complete and tasty meal without the stress. It’s a reliable way to bring a crowd-pleasing dish to the table, combining efficiency and flavour in every bite.

Quick Overview

• Preparation Time: 10 minutes
• Cooking Time: 15-18 minutes
• Difficulty: Easy
• Serves: 2

Ingredients

• 2 chicken breasts, approximately 6 oz (170g) each
• 1 large egg
• 2 tbsp plain flour
• 1.8 oz (50g) Panko breadcrumbs
• 1.1 oz (30g) unsweetened cornflakes, coarsely crushed
• 1.4 oz (40g) finely grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• Fine salt, to taste
• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Method

1. Preheat your oven to 200°C (390°F) fan-assisted or 220°C (430°F) conventional. Line a baking tray with baking parchment.
2. Prepare the chicken breasts: slice each breast horizontally in half to create four thinner cutlets. Lightly pound them with a meat mallet to an even thickness of about 0.4 inches (1cm).
3. Set up your breading station: place the plain flour in a shallow dish; in a second dish, whisk the egg with a pinch of salt and pepper; in a third dish, combine the Panko breadcrumbs, crushed cornflakes, and Parmesan cheese.
4. Dredge each chicken cutlet first in the flour, shaking off any excess, then dip into the egg, ensuring it’s well coated, and finally press into the Panko and Parmesan mixture, ensuring the crust adheres firmly.
5. Arrange the breaded chicken on the prepared baking tray. Drizzle each piece lightly with a little extra virgin olive oil.
6. Bake in the preheated oven for 15-18 minutes, or until the chicken is golden and crispy, and its internal temperature reaches 74°C (165°F).

Serving & Leftovers

Serve the crispy Parmesan chicken immediately to best enjoy its crunch. It’s excellent paired with a fresh side salad or steamed vegetables. Any leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. We recommend reheating in the oven or an air fryer to maintain crispness.

Nutrition

Nutritional values are estimates and may vary depending on ingredients and portions.

One Last Thing

Having a repertoire of recipes that you can confidently create in a short time is invaluable. This crispy chicken is a perfect example of how you can achieve satisfying results without complications, transforming busy weeknights into enjoyable occasions for savouring homemade food with pleasure and without haste.