Healthy Baked Chicken Parmesan (Printable Version)

# What You'll Need:

→ Chicken

01 - 680 grams boneless, skinless chicken breasts (approximately 3 large breasts or chicken cutlets)

→ Breading

02 - 60 grams whole wheat flour
03 - 3 large eggs
04 - 100 grams unseasoned whole wheat bread crumbs
05 - 40 grams grated Parmesan cheese
06 - 0.25 teaspoon ground black pepper
07 - 2 teaspoons dried basil
08 - 2 teaspoons dried parsley

→ Topping

09 - 170 grams shredded mozzarella cheese
10 - 360 millilitres marinara sauce

# Preparation Steps:

01 - Butterfly each chicken breast by slicing in half lengthwise. Place between plastic wrap and use a meat mallet to pound each piece to 0.6 cm thickness, creating six even cutlets.
02 - Preheat oven to 220°C. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
03 - Set out three shallow bowls. Place whole wheat flour in the first; crack and whisk eggs in the second; combine bread crumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, black pepper, dried basil, and dried parsley in the third.
04 - Coat each chicken cutlet first in flour, then dip into whisked eggs, then coat evenly with the bread crumb mixture, pressing lightly to adhere.
05 - Arrange breaded cutlets on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 15 minutes, then flip each cutlet and bake for an additional 15 minutes.
06 - After 30 minutes of baking, top each cutlet with approximately 60 ml marinara sauce and 30 grams shredded mozzarella. Switch oven to broil and cook for about 2 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly.
07 - Serve baked chicken hot, optionally over cooked pasta or fresh salad greens.

# Additional Tips:

01 - Using a meat mallet to pound the chicken ensures even cooking and tenderness. Avoid skipping this step for optimal results.
02 - For a crispier crust, use a wire rack instead of parchment to elevate the chicken as it bakes.