Description
Parmesan crusted chicken delight brings crispy, golden perfection to weeknight dinners with simple Mediterranean-inspired ingredients. Generous cheese coating and herbs create a mouthwatering main dish that makes dinner special for home cooks seeking restaurant-quality results.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 chicken breasts, pounded
- 1 cup parmesan cheese, cut into small pieces
- 1 cup provolone cheese, cut into small pieces
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup (60 ml) olive oil
- ⅓ cup (80 ml) ranch dressing
- ⅓ cup (80 ml) ranch dressing
- ⅓ cup (80 ml) melted unsalted butter
- 3 tbsps (45 ml) Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tbsps (30 ml) lemon juice
- 2 tbsps (30 ml) vegetable oil
- 1 tbsp minced garlic
- 2 tsps garlic powder
- ¾ tbsp ground black pepper
- ¼ tsp salt
- Salt, to taste
Instructions
- Marinade Preparation: Whisk marinade ingredients in a large bowl until completely combined, creating a smooth, flavorful base.
- Chicken Preparation: Pound chicken breasts to uniform 1/2-inch thickness, lightly seasoning with kosher salt to enhance natural flavors.
- Marination Process: Submerge chicken in prepared marinade, refrigerating for 30 minutes to 12 hours to allow deep flavor penetration.
- Searing Technique: Heat vegetable oil in a heavy skillet over medium-high heat, carefully cooking chicken until golden-brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C), approximately 5-7 minutes per side.
- Cheese Coating: Create a creamy blend of Parmesan, Provolone, and ranch dressing, spreading evenly over seared chicken breasts to ensure complete coverage.
- Crispy Topping Creation: Mix panko breadcrumbs with melted butter, garlic powder, and sea salt, generously sprinkling over cheese-covered chicken to develop a textured, golden crust.
- Final Broiling: Position chicken in a 450°F (235°C) oven on low broil, watching carefully for 3-5 minutes until cheese bubbles and breadcrumbs turn a rich golden-brown.
- Resting Period: Remove from oven and let chicken rest 2-3 minutes, allowing juices to redistribute and flavors to settle before serving.
Notes
- Marinate Wisely: Longer marination (up to 12 hours) intensifies flavor depth, but avoid exceeding 12 hours to prevent chicken from becoming mushy.
- Pound Perfectly: Consistent 1/2-inch thickness ensures even cooking and prevents dry or undercooked sections.
- Watch Broiling Closely: Broiling can quickly burn the topping, so monitor the chicken every 30 seconds to achieve golden-brown perfection without charring.
- Temperature Matters: Use a meat thermometer to confirm chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) for safe consumption and optimal juiciness.
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 23 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg