Gluten Free Chicken Parmesan - Crispy and Delicious

Name: Gluten Free Chicken Parmesan - Crispy and Delicious
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 17 min
Total time: 27 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 2-3 (5-6 ounces) boneless skinless chicken breasts or 3-4 chicken cutlets; 2 large eggs; 2 tablespoons milk; 1.5 cups gluten-free panko or breadcrumbs; 1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese + more for serving; 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning; 2 teaspoons garlic powder; 1 teaspoon dried parsley; 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt; 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper; 1 tablespoon olive oil + olive oil cooking spray; 3/4 cup marinara sauce; 3/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

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This gluten-free chicken parmesan is golden and crispy and packed with so much flavor! It is an easy chicken parmesan recipe that takes 30 minutes or less to make and is a wonderful budget-friendly meal the whole family will love! You can even make it in the air fryer!

Baked gluten free chicken parmesan on a bed of cooked spaghetti toped with chopped fresh basil.

Gluten Free Chicken Parmesan is a flavorful, crispy baked chicken recipe that uses only a few simple ingredients that you probably already have. You can make it in under 30 minutes with little prep time and have it on the table for a delicious family meal that even the kids will enjoy!

It starts off with these oven-baked chicken cutlets that are a reader’s favorite. Then right at the end of the cooking time we add some zesty tomato sauce and shredded mozzarella cheese and bake it until it is perfectly golden and melty. It’s so good!

If you are looking for a chicken parmesan recipe without breading then you will love this instant pot chicken parmesan that is also incredible and easy to make but lower in carbs!

Why you’ll love this chicken parmesan recipe

Perfectly cooked, golden chicken breast cutlets topped with zesty tomato sauce and melty cheese.
It is quick and easy and can be made in under 30 minutes.
Totally gluten-free!
It is a baked chicken parmesan that requires no frying in oil.
A healthy Italian meal the whole family will love!

Breaded, cooked chicken cutlet on a baking sheet.

What is the best breading to use for gluten free chicken parmesan?

There are several different ingredients you can use to bread the chicken like gluten-free flour, breadcrumbs, crushed butter crackers, or even quinoa. I really think that a combination of gluten-free panko, grated parmesan cheese, and some herbs and spices really makes the most epic breading for the chicken in this recipe.

Almond flour in place of the panko is the next best option but the chicken will not get as crispy as it will with the use of the panko.

Ingredients you will need

You only need a few simple ingredients to make this healthy gluten free chicken parmesan recipe. Here is what you’ll need:

Ingredients for gluten free parmesan chicken in bowls with labels over each ingredient.

Chicken breast – boneless skinless chicken breast works best for this chicken parmesan. You can buy chicken cutlets already prepared or use chicken breast and pound them out into cutlets yourself as I did. See below for how I did it.
Milk – regular or non-dairy milk will work. You just want to make sure it is unsweetened.
Eggs – 2 large eggs
Gluten-free Panko – I used Ian’s, which is one of my favorites but any brand will work.
Grated parmesan cheese – make sure it is grated and not shredded parmesan cheese. Grated melts much better.
Olive oil – this allows the chicken to get nice and golden and crispy.
Herbs and spices – Garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and dried parsley.
Salt & pepper – to help season everything well.
Marinara – you can use store-bought or make your own.
Mozzarella cheese – I used shredded but you can also use sliced.

How To Make Gluten-Free Chicken Parmesan

You can easily make this chicken parmesan recipe using only a few simple ingredients and steps in under 30 minutes. It makes a delicious Italian meal everyone can enjoy!

Uncooked thin chicken breast in between plastic wrap with a wood rolling pin next to it.

Bowl of breadcrumbs with a bowl of whisked eggs with a whisk in the bowl behind it.

Prepare the chicken breast – use a sharp kitchen knife to slice each piece of chicken breast in half, lengthwise. Then you will need to place each cut piece of chicken between some plastic wrap and pound it out using a meat mallet or rolling pin until it is even all around.
Coat the chicken cutlets – dip each piece of chicken into the egg then into the breadcrumb mixture, pressing the breading into the chicken as you dredge it.
Cook – Place the coated chicken cutlets onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake them in the oven at 400 degrees F for 17-18 minutes, turning them over halfway through cooking. Then top each piece of chicken with some tomato sauce and mozzarella cheese and return it to the oven for a few minutes to melt the cheese.
Serve – serve hot with your favorite pasta or side dishes.

The chicken comes out perfectly golden, crispy and packed with amazing Italian flavors. You are going to LOVE IT!

Expert Tips

Use chicken breasts that are equal in size so they all cook at the same time.
Don’t skip adding the oil to the breadcrumb mixture. This allows the chicken to get that nice golden, crispy crust that is so good!
Use a good quality marinara sauce. I like to make my own but there are a lot of store-bought brands that are pretty good.
Do not overcook the chicken. It is very easy to overcook chicken breast. You will want to check the chicken as you cook it. I suggest checking the temperature of the chicken at around 15 minutes, using a meat thermometer. You will know the chicken is done once the internal temperate reaches 165 degrees F.

What to serve with chicken parmesan

This chicken recipe is so amazing on its own with the golden, crusted chicken, zesty sauce, and melty cheese. Here are a few complimentary dishes that would be great paired with it.

Breaded cooked chicken with sauce and melty cheese on a baking a with a cut out of it.

FAQs

Do I have to bread the chicken?

No, you do not have to bread the chicken. If you choose to omit the breading then season the chicken on both sides with olive oil, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Place it onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, and bake it for 15-20 minutes until it reaches 165 degrees F. Then top it with sauce and cheese and bake it for a few more minutes to melt the cheese.

What is the best cheese to use for chicken parmesan?

A combination of mozzarella and parmesan cheese tends to be the best for chicken parmesan. You could also use provolone in place of the mozzarella and pecorino romano cheese in place of the parmesan cheese if you prefer that.

How do you make chicken cutlets out of chicken breast?

Most grocery stores sell precut chicken cutlets or thinly sliced chicken breasts. If you can’t find it then you can buy whole, boneless, skinless chicken breasts, and cut them in half lengthwise. Then pound each one out into an even size all around using a meat mallet or a rolling pin.

Can you make this recipe in the air fryer?

Yes, you can! Use this recipe for air fryer chicken parmesan that has step-by-step instructions and photos. Just be sure to use gluten-free breadcrumbs.

Storing and reheating tips

This gluten-free chicken parmesan can easily be stored and reheated. Making it great for meal prep.

To store: place the cooked chicken parmesan in an airtight container and keep it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

To reheat: the best way to reheat chicken parmesan is to place it onto a baking sheet and reheat it in the oven at around 350 degrees F until warmed through. You can also do this in the air fryer.