Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- Set up three shallow dishes for breading station. In first dish, combine bread crumbs with half the Parmesan cheese (1/2 cup), Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly. In second dish, whisk together eggs and milk until smooth. Place flour in third dish.
- Pat chicken breasts completely dry with paper towels. If varying thicknesses, pound between plastic wrap with meat mallet until uniformly about 1/2 inch thick throughout.
- Working with one chicken breast at a time, dredge in flour, coating both sides and shaking off excess. Dip into egg mixture, letting excess drip off. Press into breadcrumb mixture, coating both sides thoroughly and pressing gently so crumbs adhere. Set on plate and repeat with remaining chicken.
- Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in large skillet over medium heat. When oil shimmers and a breadcrumb sizzles when added, add breaded chicken breasts. Work in batches if needed to avoid crowding.
- Cook for 3-4 minutes per side until breading is deep golden brown and crispy. Use tongs to flip carefully without knocking off breading. Transfer pan-fried chicken to baking dish large enough to hold pieces in single layer.
- In small bowl, combine remaining 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese with mozzarella cheese and minced garlic. Mix well so garlic distributes throughout. Divide cheese mixture evenly among four chicken breasts, mounding on top and spreading to cover surface.
- Bake in preheated oven for 20-25 minutes until chicken reaches internal temperature of 165°F on instant-read thermometer and cheese topping is melted, bubbly, and golden brown in spots. For extra browning, turn on broiler for last 1-2 minutes, watching closely.
- Let chicken rest for 3-5 minutes after removing from oven. This allows juices to redistribute and cheese to set slightly. Serve hot.
Notes
Even Thickness: Pound chicken breasts to uniform 1/2-inch thickness for even cooking. This prevents thin sections from drying out while waiting for thick parts to cook through.
Breading Tips: Use 'dry hand, wet hand' technique to keep fingers clean. Let breaded chicken rest 10 minutes before cooking to help coating adhere better. Pat chicken completely dry before breading.
Crispy Coating: Don't skip pan-frying step. Those few minutes create the golden, crispy exterior that baking alone can't achieve. Oil should sizzle when chicken is added.
Cheese Quality: Use freshly grated Parmesan from block for best flavor and melting. Low-moisture mozzarella works better than fresh mozzarella.
Extra Crispy: Mix panko breadcrumbs with regular breadcrumbs, or add crushed Ritz crackers or cornflakes for maximum crunch.
Make-Ahead: Bread chicken up to 4 hours ahead and refrigerate uncovered. Pan-fry and bake just before serving.
Brining Option: For extra moist chicken, brine in saltwater (1/4 cup salt in 4 cups water) for 30 minutes before breading. Rinse and pat completely dry.
Storage: Store leftovers in airtight container in refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in 350°F oven on wire rack for 15-20 minutes to restore crispiness.
Freezing: Freeze for up to 2 months. Wrap individual pieces tightly in plastic wrap then foil. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before reheating.
Variations: Add cayenne or red pepper flakes to breading for spice. Try sharp cheddar or provolone instead of mozzarella. Add fresh basil or parsley to cheese topping.
Chicken Thighs: Boneless, skinless thighs work beautifully and stay very moist. Use same cooking time and method.
