This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
Garlic Parmesan Chicken is a flavorful, crispy dish made with juicy chicken breasts coated in a savory garlic-Parmesan crust and baked or pan-seared to perfection. Packed with bold flavor and simple ingredients, this easy dinner is perfect for busy weeknights, family meals, or impressing guests with minimal effort!
Garlic Parmesan Chicken
These juicy garlic parmesan chicken bites are perfect for whipping up as a main dish or even a side dish along with alfredo sauce or on top of a salad. This chicken can also be made in advance and frozen for the future as part of meal prepping.
Pin this now to save it for later
Pin It Now
Ingredients:
- chicken breast – You could also use boneless skinless chicken thighs or tenderloins.
- parmesan cheese
- olive oil – This adds a great flavor but you can use any oil that you have on hand. Vegetable oil, canola, corn, or avocado oil would all work.
- lemon zest – Be sure to zest the lemon before you juice it.
- lemon juice
- smoked paprika – If you have harissa paste on hand it would go great with this dish instead of paprika.
- salt
- garlic powder
- lemon pepper
- Italian seasoning
- red pepper flakes – Leave these out for a more mild version.
- black pepper
- garlic bulb
- mayonnaise – Use Miracle Whip if you like more tang.
- salted butter
Instructions:
Make the marinade. In a large bowl add the chicken, parmesan cheese, olive oil, lemon zest, lemon juice, Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, salt, garlic powder, lemon pepper, red pepper flakes, and black pepper.
Make sure all of the chicken is coated in the marinade before covering it with plastic wrap and placing it in the refrigerator to marinate for 30 minutes.
Prep the garlic. Use a sharp knife to slice off the top of the garlic bulb. Place the garlic on a sheet of aluminum foil and drizzle with olive oil before adding the Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
Arrange the chicken. Place the chicken pieces onto the baking sheet in a single even layer before setting aside. Wrap the foil around the garlic bulb and add it to your baking sheet with the chicken.
Roast the chicken and garlic together. Bake the garlic and chicken together for 30 minutes or until a fork can be easily inserted into the garlic.
Make the sauce. In a small bowl, combine the olive oil, mayonnaise, melted butter, parsley, and parmesan cheese along with the roasted garlic until smooth.
Add the sauce to the chicken. Brush the sauce over the cooked chicken and serve warm.
Can I make this on the stovetop instead of in the oven?
You can make the chicken in a skillet instead of baking it in the oven but you’ll still have to roast your garlic. If you aren’t wanting to turn the oven on for the garlic, you can use your air fryer. Follow the same process to prepare the garlic but place it in your air fryer at 400°F for 20-25 minutes until the garlic is soft and easily pierced with a fork.
Freezer Recipe
Make this chicken ahead of time and freeze it so you can have it whenever you’re ready. Prepare as directed and allow the chicken to cool for no more than 2 hours. Move the chicken to an airtight container or resealable bag, labeled with the date, and freeze. Keep frozen for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to eat, thaw your chicken completely in the refrigerator and cook on the stovetop over medium heat for about 10-12 minutes or until the chicken reaches 165°F.
More Easy Recipes
Garlic Parmesan Chicken
Equipment
- Mixing bowl
- Plastic wrap
- baking sheet
- Parchment Paper
- sharp knife
- Aluminum foil
- pastry brush
Ingredients
For the Chicken Marinade:
- 1½ pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 2-inch pieces
- ⅔ cup parmesan cheese, grated
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 1 Tablespoon lemon zest
- 2 Tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon lemon pepper
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
For the Roasted Garlic:
- 1 whole garlic bulb
- 1½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
For the Sauce:
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 2 Tablespoons mayonnaise
- 3 Tablespoons salted butter, melted
- ¼ cup parsley
- 2 Tablespoons parmesan cheese, grated
Instructions
- Make the marinade. In a large bowl add the chicken, parmesan cheese, olive oil, lemon zest, lemon juice, Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, salt, garlic powder, lemon pepper, red pepper flakes, and black pepper. Make sure all of the chicken is coated in the marinade before covering it with plastic wrap and placing it in the refrigerator to marinate for 30 minutes.
- Preheat and prep your pan. Preheat your oven to 400°F and line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Arrange the chicken. Place the chicken pieces onto the baking sheet in a single even layer before setting aside.
- Prep the garlic. Use a sharp knife to slice off the top of of the garlic bulb. Place the garlic on a sheet of aluminum foil and drizzle with olive oil before adding the Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Wrap the foil around the garlic bulb and add it to your baking sheet with the chicken.
- Roast the chicken and garlic together. Bake the garlic and chicken together for 30 minutes or until a fork can be easily inserted into the garlic and the chicken has reached 165°F.
- Make the sauce. In a small bowl, combine the olive oil, mayonnaise, melted butter, parsley, and parmesan cheese along with the roasted garlic until smooth.
- Add the sauce to the chicken. Brush the sauce over the cooked chicken and serve warm.
