Description
This Melt In Your Mouth Chicken Breast recipe delivers tender, juicy chicken coated with a flavorful blend of mayonnaise, Parmesan cheese, and spices, baked to perfection. Easy to prepare and perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or meal prep.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Coating Mixture
- 1 cup mayonnaise (or plain Greek yogurt for lighter version)
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Optional Topping
- ½ teaspoon paprika or Italian seasoning
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or line it with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Prepare Chicken: Pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness of about ¾ inch. This ensures they cook evenly and become tender.
- Mix Coating: In a medium bowl, combine mayonnaise, Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Stir until smooth and well blended.
- Apply Mixture: Spread the mayonnaise mixture evenly over the top of each chicken breast, covering the entire surface to lock in moisture and flavor.
- Add Optional Seasoning: Place chicken in the baking dish and sprinkle the top with paprika or Italian seasoning if desired for extra color and flavor.
- Bake: Bake the chicken uncovered for 35–45 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and the tops turn a nice golden color.
- Rest: Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes after baking to allow the juices to redistribute, ensuring maximum juiciness.
Notes
- ✅ Pounding the chicken to an even thickness is crucial for tender and consistent cooking.
- ✅ Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken is cooked to a safe internal temperature without overcooking and drying out.
- ✅ For a lighter version, substitute mayonnaise with plain Greek yogurt.
- ✅ You can experiment with additional seasonings like smoked paprika or fresh herbs for varied flavor profiles.
- ✅ Letting the chicken rest before serving enhances juiciness and flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast (about 6 oz)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 680 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 3 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
Keywords: chicken breast recipe, baked chicken, tender chicken, Parmesan chicken, easy dinner, healthy chicken recipe
