5 ingredient, 10 minute magic – this ultra crispy PARMESAN CRUSTED CHICKEN is insane! Juicy chicken on the inside, and a crazy, crunchy golden crust on the outside. Made without breadcrumbs, this is an incredible easy healthy chicken recipe.
Serve with silky cauliflower mash and a drizzle of browned butter for the ultimate gluten free, low-carb meal!
Parmesan Crusted Chicken
In case you can’t tell from the photo (really??!), this chicken recipe is all about the parmesan crust.
It’s crunchy, it’s golden, it’s packed with flavour and perfectly seasoned so other than the teeniest tiniest pinch of salt in the egg mixture, you don’t need to add any salt or other seasonings at all.
Also, no mucking around with flour either. I tried it with and without, and for shredded parmesan, it didn’t glue it on any better so I opt to skip it.
Which means this chicken recipe is 100% gluten free and a super low carb meal option.
How to make Parmesan Crusted Chicken
It’s honestly as simple as this:
cut chicken breasts in half;
dunk in garlicky egg;
press on parmesan; and
pan fry to golden crispy perfection.
Doesn’t that parmesan crust look incredible?? That colour ain’t from Photoshopping, that’s the colour it actually is. For the cynics out there – see? Evidence. Haven’t touched the saturation slider!!
This is a super quick dinner. If this is in your pan for longer than 6 minutes, you’ve overcooked the chicken. Speed is imperative here. High heat and speed! (We like speed for midweek meals, don’t we? 🙂 )
In keeping with the low-carb theme of this recipe, I opted to go for a cauliflower mash rather than my usual potato. And fancied it up with the tiniest drizzle of browned butter – just 1/2 tsp drizzled over the mash makes a world of difference because it’s so fragrant and has such an intense, rich flavour. Honestly, if you aren’t a fan of cauliflower mash, try it with browned butter and I bet you scoff it down like crazy!
Mmmm, just dream of that silky cauliflower puree paired with that crispy Parmesan Crusted Chicken…. it’s the perfect bite.
LOW CARB DINNER OF CHAMPIONS!! – Nagi x
PS In case you were wondering, going low-carb was not a New Years’ Resolution. This is accidentally low-carb. 😂 Sorry to disappoint, to those who were hoping for more low-carb meals. I can try. But I cannot promise….
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WATCH HOW TO MAKE IT
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Crispy Parmesan Crusted Chicken
Ingredients
- 500 g / 1 lb chicken breast (2 pieces) (Note 1)
- 1 egg
- 1 garlic clove , minced (optional)
- Salt and pepper
- 125 g / 4 oz / 1 1/4 cups shredded parmesan (Note 2)
- 2 tbsp butter (or more oil)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Cut each breast in half horizontally to make 4 steaks. If they are much thicker than 1.75 cm / 3/4″ thick (at the thickest point), pound a bit.
- Place egg, garlic, pinch of salt and pepper in a bowl. Whisk with fork.
- Place parmesan in a shallow bowl.
- Dredge chicken in egg, then place in parmesan CUT SIDE DOWN (Note 3). Press, then turn. Coat with extra parmesan, press. Shake off excess. Repeat with remaining chicken.
- Melt butter and heat oil in a large skillet over high heat.
- Place chicken in non-stick skillet (or well seasoned cast iron skillet). DO NOT MOVE chicken otherwise the cheese will slide off surface before it adheres! It adheres once it turns crispy.
- Press down lightly with spatula. Lift a corner to take a peek and turn with tongs when it’s deep golden brown (3 minutes for me).
- Cook the other side for 3 minutes or until also deep golden brown and crispy (again, do not move until golden). Lightly press down with spatula. Don’t cook longer than 6 minutes in total – dries out the chicken.
- Serve immediately! I served mine with lemon slices, Cauliflower Mash and a Fennel Slaw with Yoghurt Dressing (Note 5).
Recipe Notes:
Nutrition Information:
LIFE OF DOZER
This is at my favourite local coffee shop, 2KF in Mona Vale, and that’s Phil the owner. Hands down the best coffee around. The Sydney Morning Herald did a review and said “he makes Campos coffee better than Campos”! I spend a lot of time here. Responding to messages, cooking questions, creating recipe videos, thinking of the next recipe I’m going to make.
And Dozer spends a lot of time smooching with the other patrons, getting scraps and LOTS of cuddles. And occasionally he orders a puppa-cino…. (jokes. Never!)
I love Dozer! And, the parm crusted chicken sounds great as well.😎
I love that Dozer came before the food in your message… 🤣
So happy you’re feeling better. Missed seeing your posts!! Love your blog!
Thanks Wanda!!! It was touch and go for a while there…..deadly disease, that Man Flu business! 🤣
First: I like the men in your life: first Greg and now Phil!! That one of Dozer is delightful . . . but, oh boy, he IS a big boy !!! Don’t fry much but this one is irresistible – shall even buy breasts for neatness tho’ thighs are usually on the shopping list! . . . . love your post and especially Ron’s comment about the ‘reality’ of ‘man flu’ . . . and I do not know a guy more ‘man’ than he . . .
He is GIGANTIC!!!!! This is a good size perspective photo!! 😂
I love the sound of the chicken and most of all how low those carbs are. I am a diabetic who also has to watch that carbs are really low and this chicken recipe is in the area that I try to be as along with other carbs in my meal my sugars will not go too high.
Thank you Nagi for giving me a recipe that I can safely use and will enjoy.
Love the photos of Dozer that you attach to your attach to your e-mails. He is simply an adorable dog and obviously full of mischief. I am really a cat person but give him a hug from me.
You’re so welcome Jean! So glad you enjoy seeing Dozer! Hug passed on and happily received (off to wipe slobber off my shoulder now)
Hi Nagi! I do hope you’re feeling better soon – you’ll be lucky to survive such a dreadful ailment! xx
This looks fabulous… can’t wait to try it! My eyes light up when I see something gluten free, especially when I don’t have to convert! Thank you! Love, too, seeing Dozer’s antics!
😂 I’m thanking the higher power every day for seeing me through it!!! N xx
You are right in “food fashion” with this recipe – low carb, high fat!! Apart from being fashionable it sounds luscious and I am going to make it for dinner tonight. YUM!
Isn’t Dozer just gorgeous – no wonder he steals everyone’s heart 😊
You’re telling me CHEESE is in “food fashion”?? 🙌🏻
Yes, FAT! So I’m told. It’s not the bad thing it used to be, but we will see. The latest food ‘thing’ is low carb – high fat. Scary after all these years of avoiding fat. 😳
Thank you for all your wonderful recipes, they always turn out great!
You’re so welcome Mireille! N xx
Love, love your recipes!
This will definitely be on the meal plan for dinners.
Could I ask what sort of skillet you are using in the video?
Hi Evelyn! In the video I use a terribly cheap Kmart non stick skillet which I replace every 3 months because the coating wears off so I DO NOT recommend it! I only use it because the white allows me to show the colour of liquids / oils / sauces etc 🙂 I find it is helpful for video tutorials! N xx
Man flu? How dare you. That is *our* word. 🙂
Also, this is a great quick fix recipe. It’s on my list for “I’m tired and it’s my turn to cook for the house” go-tos.
🤣 I had it, I swear. It was so so bad. Near death. Could not do anything. 🤣
Oh Yes! We just started a Keto plan and this will be added to our repertoire – with the cauliflower mash, (sans dairy milk..) with browned butter, Brilliant!!!
T H A N K Y O U, get better! Can’t wait to make this!!! Can I use boneless skinless thighs, you think?
Recipe rating is for enthusiasm until I make it later today…
Enthusiasm rating! LOVE IT!!! N xx
Made this for the fam last night, with of course, changes as that’s what we had on hand. Shredded gouda with Parm and Asiago, used boneless skinless thighs, used coconut milk in the incredibly delicious Cauli mash! The browned butter drizzle made it luscious! The chicken was very good – I use a cast iron pan so I didn’t get the ‘lift off’ from the cheese every time, but most of them were quite beautiful! We loved this recipe! Now if you start a Keto recipe trend I may love you forever….
HIGH FIVE!!!! So glad you loved it Karen! PS I think the other cheeses will also have affected how well it adheres because Gouda (not sure about Asiago) won’t go as crisp and stick as well as parmesan 🙂 But nevertheless less – YAY that it worked so well still! N x PS As for Keto…. 🤔
Any suggestions on what to use as a substitute for the egg? I’m deathly allergic.
Hi Nikki! Try a mix of yoghurt + dijon mustard + garlic 🙂 I think that will work – you just need something to make the parmesan stick to the chicken when it is raw then it is when it melts and browns that it adheres 🙂 N x
Glad, you’re feeling better. Man Flu?? I’m a man and I totally fit that description. I hate being sick and likely moan and groan like a baby when I am. So, no insult here and thanks’ for validating that they’re real…
This recipe takes me right back to the 1980’s and a fern bar/cafe I used to frequent in Seattle. Their best dish was Parmesan Crusted Chicken served with a Dijon sauce and chips. Will try, love food memories.
Dozer, looks as though he could order anything! puppa-cino! You make laugh.
BA HA HA!!!! See, it’s a universal thing – men ALL OVER THE WOLRD!!!!!
Looks amazing as always…can I get the cauliflower mash / puree recipe? I’m a man so doesnt come naturally and I want to try and con my fussy fussy eater that it’s normal mash!
Hi Curtis! I included it in the notes! N x
Sorry, blond…didnt read the entire recipe and its there!!
No probs! N x
I was scratching my head trying to think of what to make for dinner tonight and your email popped in! Looks delicious. Never heard of Man-Flu before but so on target. Feel better!
PS Man Flu is just totally deadly… 🤣
Hope you do try it Hedy!! N xx
Poor Baby!! I hope you’re feeling better! The chicken looks delicious and I wouldn’t fault you for PJ’s any time of year. Now, I figure that if you’re on the couch slothing around Dozer is going to make a mad dash for your lap! And once he weighed you down, you’d never be able to get up. I’m trying out your recipe next chicken night. xoxo Get better soon Man-Flu is awful!!
No sympathy called for!! 😂 A cold is NOTHING!!!
Let me send you Mamma Marisa’s sure to cure Italian Chicken Soup!! A cold can lead to so many unfortunate ailment — this is a preventive cure. A big hug is called for.
Delicious. 🙂 A variation…I coat with natural yogurt then parmesan, then bake in the oven. 🙂
WOAH! That comes out like this?? Crispy?? What type of parmesan do you use? I tried baking this one and the juices from the chicken just made the underside all soggy! N xx
What about if you bake on a bed of bread crumbs (as I’ve seen suggested in other recipes) or if you bake on a rack set in a pan? Do you think it would get crispy that way?
HI Brett! If you add breadcrumbs it becomes a different recipe – see this baked version with breadcrumbs 🙂 -> https://promotown.info/oven-fried-parmesan-baked-chicken-tenders/%3C/a%3E N xx