For all the deliciousness of chicken parmesan without all the fat, try this Healthy Chicken Parmesan Recipe. Juicy chicken breast baked in a savory breading makes this a staple weeknight dinner you can feel good about feeding your family!

Any information in the post is for general information purposes only and is NOT medical advice. Please consult a healthcare professional for individual medical and nutrition advice.

One of my favorite Italian dishes is chicken parmesan. However, not only do I not like how unhealthy it can be with all the added oil and cheese, but my stomach just can’t usually handle the grease. I wanted to come up with a healthier version to be able to enjoy this classic dish at home without the guilt or stomach aches, and this healthy chicken parmesan recipe hits the spot!

The first thing you’ll notice is this healthy chicken parmesan recipe is baked, not fried. That is key to reducing the amount of added fat to the dish. Deep frying or pan frying adds A LOT of oil to the chicken, but baking the dish keeps this low in fat. However, baking the pasta WITH the chicken does tend to dry out the pasta. To avoid crunchy noodles (and yes, I learned the hard way!) it’s important to toss the pasta with the sauce. With the sauce coating the noodles, it will keep them from drying out. To reduce the sodium in this recipe, try a homemade sauce, like this simple spaghetti sauce.

While many people tend to stay away from boneless skinless chicken breast because they think it’s too dry, I love the health benefits. When properly trimmed of fat before cooking, it is a delicious and lean protein to incorporate with your dinner. Yes, it can get dry when overcooked. To avoid this, I use a food thermometer to cook the chicken to the proper temperature. This results in tender, juicy chicken breast every time!

Although my family likes this recipe as is, it can certainly be altered to suit your tastes. Some shredded or sliced cheese can be placed on top of each chicken breast prior to cooking, like provolone or mozzarella. For a slightly faster dinner, cook the pasta separately while the chicken is baking. Be aware, though, that this will reduce the cook time of the chicken. If desired, you could also add salt to the breading mix. However, I would encourage you to try this recipe without salt first. The natural combination of flavors are so delicious, you’ll be surprised how tasty food can be without the salt!

And don’t forget a vegetable! Personally, I like to pair some type of green vegetable with this healthy chicken parmesan recipe, like asparagus, broccoli, or a fresh salad. I find the aesthetics of the red and green colors complement each other nicely for a visually appealing dinner. But, when short on time (or energy!) a blend of frozen, microwaved vegetables goes just as well!

Healthy Chicken Parmesan Recipe

Ingredients

• 2 pounds Chicken Breast, boneless, skinless
• 1 box Penne Pasta (16 oz)
• 1 jar Marinara Sauce (24 oz)
• 3/4 cup Bread Crumbs
• 1/4 cup + 2 Tablespoons Grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 Tablespoon Garlic Powder
• 2 teaspoons dried Parsley
• 1/2 teaspoon dried Oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon dried Basil
• Black Pepper (to taste, or about 1/4 teaspoon)

Directions

1. Cook the pasta according to directions, drain
2. Pour the pasta into a lightly greased 9 x 13 inch baking dish
3. Pour the marinara sauce over top, then toss to coat
4. In a gallon-sized storage bag, add the bread crumbs, 1/4 cup parmesan cheese and dried seasonings (garlic powder, parsley, oregano, basil and black pepper). Mix well.
5. Add the chicken breast to the bag, and close tightly. Gently toss the chicken in the breading until well coated.
6. Remove the chicken breast and set aside. Sprinkle the majority of the remaining bread crumbs over the pasta in the baking dish, reserving a small amount (about 2-3 Tablespoons). Cover evenly.
7. Place the chicken breasts on top in the middle of the pan, leaving space between each breast to allow even cooking.
8. Sprinkle the remaining bread crumbs on top of each piece of chicken, then the remaining 2 Tablespoons of parmesan cheese to sprinkle on top.
9. Place in a preheated oven and bake at 350^oF for 60-75 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165^oF

Time-Saving Tip: Use 2 Tablespoons of Italian seasoning in place of the dried seasonings (garlic powder, parsley, oregano, basil and black pepper).

*Nutrition (per serving, about 6 servings per recipe)

• 655 Calories
• 12.5 g Total Fat
• 4 g Saturated Fat
• 64 g Protein
• 716 mg Sodium
• 73 g Total Carbohydrate
• 6.5 g Fiber

*Nutrition information is approximate and based on the products that I buy in my home. Information will vary based on the products purchased in your home.