Parmesan Crusted Baked Chicken – Your Less-Than-5-Minute Prep Dinner Lifesaver
If you’ve ever looked at the clock, realized it’s 5:15, and wondered how your family expects a full dinner when you were just trying to enjoy your iced coffee in peace, I get it. Weeknight meals can feel like a juggling act — work, errands, family, pets, that pile of laundry you keep ignoring.
But here’s the good news: dinner doesn’t have to be complicated to be downright delicious. And this Parmesan Crusted Baked Chicken? It’s the recipe that swoops in like your culinary fairy godmother, turning plain chicken into something crispy, cheesy, and flavorful in under 5 minutes of prep time. Yes, you read that right — less than 5 minutes.
This isn’t a “fake” 5 minutes where the recipe writer forgets to account for chopping, peeling, measuring, and 14 other steps. Nope. This is literally: coat, season, bake, enjoy. You’ve got time to scroll Instagram, sip your wine, or sit on the porch while your oven does the heavy lifting.
Why You’ll Love This Parmesan Crusted Baked Chicken
Before we get into the recipe, let’s talk about why this one is going into your regular dinner rotation:
5-Minute Prep: No fancy marinades, no all-day planning. You can decide at 5:15 and have it on the table by 6. One Pan Wonder: Less cleanup means more time for literally anything else. Big Flavor, Minimal Effort: Thanks to mayo (or sour cream), Parmesan, and the right seasonings, you get juicy chicken with a golden crust that tastes like you worked way harder than you did. Family Approved: Even picky eaters will clean their plates. You can thank the cheesy crust for that. Versatile: Pair it with pasta, salad, roasted veggies, or even a baked potato for a complete meal.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s the short and sweet shopping list. Odds are, you already have most of these at home:
4 chicken breasts 2 heaping tablespoons mayonnaise (or sour cream if that’s your thing) 1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese Lawry’s Seasoning Salt Dried Chopped Onion Powdered Garlic Italian Seasoning Olive oil or cooking spray (for greasing the pan)
Step-By-Step Instructions
Preheat & Prep the Pan: Preheat your oven to 375°F. Lightly coat a baking dish with Pam cooking spray or drizzle with olive oil. Coat the Chicken: Place chicken breasts in the baking dish. Spread mayo (or sour cream) evenly over each piece. Season & Cheese It Up: Sprinkle each piece with Lawry’s Seasoning Salt, dried chopped onion, powdered garlic, and Italian seasoning. Top generously with Parmesan cheese. Bake: Pop it in the oven and bake for 45 minutes, uncovered, until the chicken is cooked through and the crust is golden.
That’s it. No stirring halfway. No flipping. Just set the timer and live your best life while it cooks.
Tips for the Best Results
Thin Chicken Cooks Faster: If your chicken breasts are extra thick, consider pounding them to even thickness or slicing them in half horizontally. Mayo vs. Sour Cream: Mayo gives a richer flavor and keeps the chicken moist, while sour cream adds a tangy note. Both work beautifully. Parmesan Matters: Use shredded Parmesan for a nice crust, not the powdery kind from the green can. Don’t Overbake: Chicken is done when it reaches 165°F internally. If your oven runs hot, check at the 40-minute mark.
Serving Suggestions
The beauty of this recipe is how easily it pairs with just about anything. Here are some simple ideas:
With Pasta: Toss some buttered noodles or garlic spaghetti on the side. With Veggies: Serve alongside roasted asparagus, broccoli, or a fresh side salad. With Potatoes: Mashed, baked, or roasted — you can’t go wrong. Low-Carb: Pair with a simple zucchini noodle sauté or cauliflower mash.
Why This Recipe Works
The combination of mayonnaise and Parmesan locks in moisture while creating that irresistible golden crust. The seasonings are simple but bold enough to make each bite flavorful without overpowering the chicken. And because you’re baking it uncovered, the top crisps while the inside stays juicy.
It’s the exact kind of meal busy weeknights demand — the kind that doesn’t require you to babysit the stove or juggle multiple pans.
Let’s Talk Real Life
We all have those nights where the temptation to order takeout is real. You’re tired, your brain is fried, and the last thing you want to do is dirty a bunch of dishes.
That’s exactly when this recipe shines. You literally:
Toss the chicken in the pan. Smear on a little mayo. Sprinkle some cheese and seasoning. Bake it.
By the time you’ve answered a few emails or caught up on your latest Netflix binge, dinner is ready. And it tastes like you actually put effort into it — even though you didn’t.
Make-Ahead Option
If you’re really planning ahead (or want to save even more time on crazy nights), you can prep this chicken in the morning:
Coat the chicken with mayo and seasonings. Cover the baking dish with foil or plastic wrap. Store in the fridge until you’re ready to bake.
When it’s dinner time, pop it in the oven as directed. Dinner practically makes itself.
Storing & Reheating Leftovers
Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat: Warm in a 350°F oven for about 10 minutes or microwave for 1–2 minutes. (Oven will keep the crust crispier.)
Variations to Try
Spicy Parmesan Chicken: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or cayenne to the seasoning mix. Herb Crusted Chicken: Mix fresh parsley, thyme, or basil into the Parmesan before topping. Cheddar Twist: Swap Parmesan for shredded cheddar for a richer flavor. Panko Crunch: Sprinkle panko breadcrumbs over the Parmesan for extra crispiness.
Why This Recipe Is a Keeper
Let’s be real — the internet is full of chicken recipes. But this one is different because it checks all the boxes:
✅ Fast
✅ Easy
✅ One pan
✅ Crowd-pleaser
It’s the kind of dish you can serve to your family on a Tuesday night or to friends when they pop over for a casual dinner. No one has to know it took you less than 5 minutes to put together.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve been stuck in a weeknight dinner rut, Parmesan Crusted Baked Chicken is about to become your new best friend. It’s simple, it’s tasty, and it’s the definition of a “set it and forget it” meal.
So the next time you’re staring at a pack of chicken breasts wondering what to do, skip the complicated recipes and go straight for this one. You’ll have dinner in the oven before you can even decide which glass of wine to pour.
Tracy 💛
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