Description
This Melt in Your Mouth Chicken lives up to its name — juicy, tender chicken breasts coated in a creamy parmesan-mayo sauce that bakes to golden perfection. It’s a quick, comforting dinner that pairs beautifully with rice, pasta, or roasted veggies.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 chicken breasts, butterflied
- 3/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1 cup grated Parmesan
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp salt (reduce if dry-brined)
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- Optional: 1 tsp Dijon, 1 tsp lemon zest, 2 tbsp chopped parsley
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: 375°F (190°C). If using convection, reduce the temperature by 25°F and monitor closely.
- Make the coating: In a medium bowl, combine:
- 3/4 cup mayonnaise (or mayo + yogurt mix)
- 1 cup grated Parmesan
- 1 tsp garlic powder, 1/2 tsp onion powder, 1 tsp paprika, salt, and pepper
- Optional: 1 tsp Dijon, 1 tsp lemon zest, chopped herbs
Stir until evenly combined; the mixture should be spreadable but not runny.
- Season the chicken: If you didn’t dry-brine, season both sides lightly with salt and pepper. If you did dry-brine, skip extra salt.
- Arrange the breasts: Place the chicken in a lightly oiled baking dish in a single layer with a little space between pieces. A wire rack set over a sheet pan is a good option for even heat circulation.
- Spread the topping: Generously spoon the mayo-Parmesan mixture over each breast, spreading to cover the top and sides. For a crunchier crust, press a small handful of panko or crushed crackers into the topping.
- Bake: Put in the center of the preheated oven. Bake 25–35 minutes for average-sized, butterflied breasts. Cooking time varies with thickness — start checking with an instant-read thermometer at 20 minutes. Pull when the internal temp reads 160–162°F; carryover heat will bring it to 165°F while resting.
- Finish (optional): For extra browning, place under the broiler for 1–3 minutes while watching closely.
- Rest: Let chicken rest 5–8 minutes before slicing — this lets juices redistribute and keeps slices tender.
- Prep Time: PT15M
- Cook Time: PT25M
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast
- Calories: 410kcal
- Sugar: 0.5g
- Sodium: 520mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 2g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 120mg