Parmesan Crusted Chicken

by KetoFocus.com
Not yet rated
5 Ingredients or LessAir Fryer

Parmesan crusted chicken is a quick weeknight dinner made with simple ingredients. That golden-brown crust is impossible to resist!

Print
Pin
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size:
5 ounces

6

Servings

410

Calories

17.5g

Fat

62g

Protein

1.8g

Net Carb

2g

Total Carbs

Parmesan-crusted chicken is a delicious weeknight dish, and don’t forget to try chicken schnitzel, chicken cordon bleu casserole, and creamy Tuscan chicken if you are looking for a different chicken recipe.

close up of crispy chicken breast on a plate with a lemon slice on top

This recipe is made with chicken cutlets coated in shredded parmesan cheese and pan-fried in avocado oil until a crispy golden-brown crust forms. Squeeze some lemon juice on top for a bright and fresh addition. Serve with a side of pasta and your favorite salad for a simple homemade dinner. 

With only four ingredients, it’s perfect for cooking after a busy day at work. No one will ever know it took under an hour to make!  

Table of Contents [ click to toggle ]

How to make parmesan crusted chicken

Here are brief instructions on how to make this chicken. For the full description, see the recipe card below.

  1. Pound and season the chicken: Start by pounding the chicken covered with plastic wrap with a mallet or rolling pin to make them all the same width.
  2. Dip chicken in the breading: Dip the chicken in a bowl of almond flour, then the whisked egg wash, and then back in the almond flour with parmesan cheese.
  3. Fry chicken: After coating the chicken, heat a pan and drizzle in plenty of avocado oil. Add the chicken and cook on each side when the oil is hot, and the pan is smoking slightly. Check the temperature with a digital thermometer and allow to rest for five minutes before cutting.
  4. Serve: Cut the chicken into slices and serve with side dishes.

two pieces of crispy fried chicken on a platter topped with lemon and parsley leaves

Key ingredients

These ingredients combine to make a juicy and tasty weeknight chicken meal.

  • Chicken breasts: Use boneless, skinless chicken breasts for this recipe. Chicken thighs or chicken tenderloins can also be used.
  • Almond flour: Almond flour is perfect for coating our chicken cutlets. It gives a slight nutty flavor.
  • Egg whites: No need to include egg yolks in the dip. The frothy egg whites will help the parmesan cheese stick to the chicken breast.
  • Parmesan cheese: Grated parmesan creates an excellent, slightly salty outer crust on this chicken.
  • Salt and pepper: Add a little salt and pepper for seasoning.

Parmesan Crusted Chicken Recipe Video

Youtube
Subscribe to the KetoFocus YouTube Channel

With 100s of videos and millions of views, Ketofocus is one of the most popular Keto channels on YouTube.

Parmesan Crusted Chicken Ingredients

  • 2 pounds chicken breast (cut in half to make thin cutlets)
  • 1/4 cup + 1 tablespoon almond flour
  • 3 egg whites
  • 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
  • 2 cups shredded parmesan cheese

Parmesan Crusted Chicken Directions

  • STEP
    1

    Prep chicken cutlets

    Place the chicken breasts in between sheets of plastic wrap and pound to a 1/4 inch thickness. Pat dry with a paper towel. Season with salt and pepper on both sides.

    Ingredients

    • Chicken breasts

    hammering chicken breast into a thin sheet covered in plastic wrap
  • STEP
    2

    Prepare dipping bowls

    Prepare 3 bowls for the crust. For the first bowl, add 1/4 cup of almond flour and 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese. Mix to combine. For the second bowl whisk egg whites until foamy. The third bowl, mix 1 tablespoon of almond flour mixed with shredded parmesan cheese.

    Ingredients

    • Almond flour (divided)
    • Egg whites
    • Parmesan cheese (grated & shredded)

    a bowl with shredded parmesan cheese
  • STEP
    3

    Dust, dip and dredge

    First, add a chicken cutlet in the first bowl to coat with almond flour and grated parmesan cheese. Dust all over. Then dip in the egg whites. Finally dredge in the shredded parmesan cheese mixture until coated all over. Repeat with remaining chicken cutlets.

    coating a chicken breast with shredded cheese
  • STEP
    4

    Stovetop instructions

    Heat your favorite cooking oil over medium heat. Add 2-3 coated chicken cutlets to the hot oil and fry until the edges look cooked and the underside is golden brown (about 3-4 minutes). Flip and cook the other side for another 3-4 minutes. Remove and continue with the rest of the chicken. Serve with lemon wedges and chopped parsley.

    frying a cheese coated chicken cutlet in a skillet with oil
    Quick Tip
    I use avocado oil.
  • STEP
    5

    Oven instructions

    To make baked parmesan crusted chicken, bake at 350 degrees for 30-40 minutes. Serve with lemon slices and fresh parsley.

    an oven with stovetop in a chicken with white counters
  • STEP
    6

    Air fryer instructions

    Air fry at 400 degrees for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through.

    a philips air fryer in black
Print
Pin
  • Parmesan Crusted Chicken
    • a cheese crusted chicken breast on a platter with lemon and parsley

    Substitutions

    Here are some substitutions you can make depending on what you have available or to fit your tastes and preferences.

    • Flour:  Substitute coconut flour or sunflower seed flour for the almond flour, and both would be a 1:1 conversion for this recipe.
    • No cheese:  Of course, it would no longer be parmesan-crusted chicken, but ground pork rinds can be used instead to make chicken schnitzel.
    • Chicken: Use boneless, skinless chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts for a bit of dark meat. Also try pork tenderloin for a different flavor and protein.
    • Oil: If you don’t have avocado oil, exchange it with extra virgin olive oil.
    a plate of parmesan crusted chicken covered in lemon wedges and chopped parsley

    Expert tips

    Use these tips and tricks to make the best parmesan chicken you’ve ever eaten.

    • Use a non-stick skillet or plenty of cooking oil to keep the parmesan from sticking to the pan.
    • Don’t flip the chicken until you can easily slide a spatula underneath it. Attempting to flip before this will tear the parmesan crust from the chicken.
    • Add panko bread crumbs to the parmesan topping to help the cheese stick together and make it extra crispy.
    • Add seasonings like garlic powder or onion powder to give the chicken a flavor boost. You can also try Italian seasonings like dried oregano, dried thyme, or paprika.

    Variations

    This crusted chicken recipe is easy to change to make it exactly as you’d like. Here are a few ideas for you to make variations.

    Juicy: Add mayo to the egg wash for a slightly tangy flavor and to make this chicken juicier.

    Italian: Add Italian seasonings to the parmesan cheese.

    Marinara sauce: Top the cooked chicken with marinara for a tangy and delicious sauce.

    Super Cheesy: Lay slices of mozzarella cheese or provolone and broil until melted for an extra cheesy layer.

    Bake: If you’d rather bake the chicken instead of pan-frying it, heat the oven to 350 degrees and cook for 30-40 minutes until the chicken is 165 degrees. Allow the chicken to sit for five minutes before cutting to allow the juices to recirculate.

    Air fry: The air fryer is another great way to cook this chicken. Preheat it to 400 degrees and let the chicken cook for 10-12 minutes.

    Fry: Go all out and fry the chicken in a pot of oil for the crispiest results. This may not be as healthy as another method, but it sure is delicious!

    a dinner plate with two fried chicken cutlets on them next to grated parmesan cheese and lemon slices

    Storage information

    To refrigerate: 

    Store leftover parmesan-crusted chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days. 

    The best way to heat it up again is to use an air fryer to make the outside crispy. If you don’t have an air fryer, you can reheat it in the microwave in 30-second increments until it’s hot all the way through.    

     

    To freeze: 

    If you’d like to freeze cooked parmesan chicken, let them cool completely. Then, lay them in a single layer in a container with parchment paper, separating any additional chicken on top. 

    Keep them in the freezer for up to three months. 

    To thaw, let them sit in the fridge overnight and then use the air fryer or microwave to reheat. 

     

    To meal prep: 

    You can also prep these chicken cutlets in advance and sauté them when you’re ready to eat. This will save time and make cooking dinner on a weeknight even easier. 

    Parmesan Crusted Chicken: FAQS

    What temperature should the oil be to fry parmesan chicken?

    If you plan on frying the chicken in a pot of oil, the temperature should be 350 degrees. You don’t want it too hot, or the outside will burn before the inside cooks. Flip the chicken pieces over to fry the other side as well.

    What other cheeses can be used in this recipe?

    You can use any hard cheese like Romano or manchego.

    How do you get the perfect crust on parmesan chicken?

    The key to getting the perfect crust on this chicken is to make sure the pan is hot and slightly smoking before adding the chicken to the pan.

    Nutritional information & Macros

    Nutrition Information

    Parmesan Crusted Chicken

    Servings: 6

    Amount Per Serving
    Calories 410
    Fat 17.5g
    Protein 62g
    Total Carbs 2g
    Net Carbs 1.8g

    Other Keto Dinner Recipes

    A plate with katsu chicken over cauliflower rice next to sliced cucumber and pickled ginger.
    30 Mins
    Keto Chicken Katsu

    This keto chicken katsu recipe features tender chicken cutlets encrusted with a crispy blend of pork panko and sesame seeds and fried until golden....

    See the Recipe
    A wooden spoon holding a slice of creamy boursin chicken topped with parsley.
    30 Mins
    Boursin Chicken

    Boursin chicken is a one-pot skillet dinner recipe that features chicken breasts cooked to perfection in a creamy, flavorful sauce made with Boursin...

    See the Recipe

    Leave a Reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *