Crispy Oven Baked Panko Chicken
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Prepare Crispy Oven Baked Panko Chicken for salads, sandwiches and wraps. Make extra crispy panko crusted chicken without frying it!
So many ways to enjoy
This crispy baked panko chicken is a blank canvas on which you can make incredible recipes. Use it for chicken parm, salads, sandwiches, wraps and paninis.
This panko crusted chicken is perfectly crispy on the outside while still being extremely juicy on the inside. It’s simply incredible!!
While it is a great addition to other meals, it is also SO delicious on its own. I like to enjoy it like a little kid. I cube it up and serve it alongside some mac and cheese and dipping sauces.
Kitchen Tools
- Cutting board and sharp knife
- Measuring spoons and measuring cups
- Shallow bowls
- Frying pan and spatula
- Sheet pan
Serving Suggestions
The best part about this crispy panko breaded chicken is that it is a blank canvas for so many other delicious recipes. We used it for baked chicken parm and on delicious panini sandwiches.
I like to slice it on top of salads like on this Peach Burrata Salad. Or serve it alongside some of my favorite side dishes like this Grilled Watermelon Salad.
One of the best ways to eat this is sliced with your favorite dipping sauce. Here are some of my favorites:
- Roasted Garlic Aioli
- Homemade Ranch Dressing
- Healthy Copycat Chick-fil-A Sauce
- Creamy Honey Mustard Sauce
Ingredients
- Boneless skinless chicken breasts
- Panko bread crumbs
- Olive oil
- Parmesan cheese
- Egg
- All purpose flour
- Salt, pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika
Ingredient Substitutions
You can easily make this baked panko chicken gluten free by using a 1:1 gluten free flour mix in place of the all purpose flour. You can also use a gluten free panko mixture that is available at many stores.
If you are allergic to eggs you can use whole milk whisked with oil in place of the oil and egg mixture. Lastly, if you prefer you can use a boneless skinless chicken thigh in place of a chicken breast although cook times will vary. Be sure to use an instant read thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chicken.
How to Make Panko Crusted Chicken in the Oven
Step 1: Toast panko breadcrumbs
To begin, preheat oven to 425F. Heat 1/2 tbsp of olive oil in a frying pan over medium heat.
Then, pour panko in the pan and toss to coat in the oil. Toss and stir frequently for 4-5 minutes, careful not to burn the panko.
You want the panko to be golden brown and toasted. Then, immediately remove panko from pan and allow to cool in a shallow bowl.
Step 2: Prep and bread chicken
While the panko cools, slice the chicken breasts in half through the middle so you have 2 thinner filets. Pound chicken until it lays flat, but you don’t want it too thin.
Next, mix panko with parmesan cheese, garlic powder and smoked paprika. Crack egg into a separate shallow bowl and whisk with 1 tbsp of olive oil. Pour all purpose flour into a third shallow bowl and mix with salt and pepper.
Then, bread chicken by dipping into the flour first, then the egg and finally the panko breading mixture. Press chicken into panko firmly to coat
Step 3: Bake panko chicken in the oven
Finally, place panko chicken onto a lightly greased sheet pan. Bake at 425F for 15 minutes, flip chicken and bake for another 7-8 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165F.
Transfer baked chicken to a wire rack so it remains crispy. Serve immediately!
Storage and reheating
Allow chicken to cool completely and then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.You can enjoy the chicken cold from the fridge or reheat in the oven or air fryer until warmed through. I prefer to use the air fryer at 350F for 5ish minutes to keep the chicken crispy.
Check out These Other delicious chicken recipes
You can find the full recipe below. If you make this recipe, please rate and review it in the comments, or share it with me on Instagram!
Photos were taken by Elly from The Powdered Apron.
Crispy Oven Baked Panko Chicken
Make delicious and crispy panko chicken in the oven with this simple recipe.
Ingredients
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 1lb)
- 1 cup panko bread crumbs
- 1 tbsp + 1/2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/8 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup all purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425F. Heat 1/2 tbsp of olive oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Pour panko in the pan and toss to coat in the oil. Toss and stir frequently for 4-5 minutes, careful not to burn the panko. You want the panko to be golden brown and toasted.
- Immediately remove panko from pan and allow to cool in a shallow bowl. While the panko cools, slice the chicken breasts in half through the middle so you have 2 thinner filets.
- Pound chicken until it lays flat, but you don’t want it too thin.
- Mix panko with parmesan cheese, garlic powder and smoked paprika. Crack egg into a separate shallow bowl and whisk with 1 tbsp of olive oil. Pour all purpose flour into a third shallow bowl and mix with salt and pepper.
- Bread chicken by dipping into the flour first, then the egg and finally the panko breading mixture. Press chicken into panko firmly to coat
- Place panko chicken onto a lightly greased sheet pan. Bake at 425F for 15 minutes, flip chicken and bake for another 7-8 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165F. Transfer baked chicken to a wire rack so it remains crispy. Serve immediately!
Notes
- you must toast the panko breadcrumbs before using them otherwise the chicken will not be as crispy
- freshly grated parmesan cheese will melt better while the chicken bakes
Karen says
Hi!
My husband dislikes parmesan (or any “stinky” cheese LOL). What would you suggest I replace with? Or just use only panko, no cheese?
Thanks!
Madeline says
haha so funny because I think of parm as so unofensive!! just leave it out and add a bit more salt 🙂
Amy says
Love these chicken cutlets!!!
★★★★★
Shelly Rasmussen says
Made this with gluten free panko and plant based parm (because… dietary restrictions). And happy to report it was delicious! Definitely my new fave method for oven-baked, breaded chicken. Definitely press those bread crumbs in! Will definitely make again.
★★★★★
Madeline says
YUM!! so glad you enjoyed!
Mandi says
So so good!!!!
★★★★★
Madeline says
thank you!
Terese says
Nice flavor but panko crumbs fell off when flipping. I suppose I would need to add more oil or bake using parchment paper.
★★★
Madeline says
Hi there! Sorry that you had issues with the breadcrumbs. If the chicken got stuck to the pan and caused the crumbs to fall off, baking on parchment paper or making sure the tray is oiled will help next time. Also, the crumbs need to be firmly pressed into the chicken before baking.
Mary Jane Tague says
I love this chicken so much. I found it perfectly crispy and I have found other recipes to be so confusing but this is perfectly detailed.
★★★★★
Caroline Sands says
This recipe is the best one I have found. The chicken comes out juicy and tasty. I have searched for years for an easy, not overly greasy chicken cutlet recipe — this one is perfect! All of my kids love this kind of chicken, and it’s in our regular M-F meal rotation. THANK YOU.
Hillary S. says
Made this gluten-free and it came out PERFECT. I will definitely be making this again.
★★★★★
Dani says
Omg DELICIOUS. I followed the recipe exactly. Maybe a silly question but if I am doubling the recipe would I increase the baking time?
Madeline says
Glad to hear, Dani! No need to increase baking time. 🙂
Bill says
We tried the oven baked chicken tonight. It was delicious!! Looking forward to the peach cobbler pound cake!! Keep the delicious coming!!
★★★★★
Madeline says
Yay! Thanks, Bill!
Rita Shearer says
Perfect
★★★★★
Madeline says
YAY! Thank you!