Baked Garlic Parmesan Chicken Recipe

A Simple, Tasty Supper

Let’s make a simple, tasty supper. This baked chicken is my go-to meal. It feels fancy but is so easy.

We coat the chicken in a garlicky, cheesy sauce. It bakes until golden and bubbly. Doesn’t that smell amazing?

A Little Story About Paprika

My grandson once asked why we use paprika. He said it just looks like red dust. I had to laugh.

I told him it adds a warm, sweet flavor. It’s not just for color. That little spice makes the whole dish feel cozy.

Why This Meal Matters

Cooking a meal from scratch is a small act of love. You are making something real. That matters more than you think.

It also brings everyone to the table. Good food creates good memories. What’s your favorite family meal to share?

Let’s Get Cooking

First, heat your oven to 400 degrees. Put your chicken in a baking dish. Season it well with salt, pepper, and spices.

Then, mix melted butter, olive oil, and Parmesan. Add lots of minced garlic. This sauce is the magic part.

A Fun Fact For You

Fun fact: Parmesan cheese is aged for a long time. That’s why it has such a strong, yummy flavor. A little goes a long way!

Pour your sauce over the chicken. Make sure every piece is covered. I like to save a tiny bit of sauce for later.

The Best Part

Bake the chicken for about 20 minutes. You will know it’s done. The top will be golden and the kitchen will smell wonderful.

That crispy, cheesy topping is my favorite. It’s the best part. Do you prefer the crispy edges or the saucy middle?

Your Turn to Share

This recipe is very forgiving. You can add more garlic or skip the pepper flakes. Cooking should be fun, not scary.

That’s why simple recipes are the best. They give you confidence. What’s the first meal you ever learned to cook?

Ingredients:

Ingredient	Amount	Notes
Chicken breasts	4 cutlets
Paprika	3 teaspoons	Divided, 1 tsp for seasoning, 2 tsp for sauce
Garlic powder	To taste	For initial seasoning
Onion powder	To taste	For initial seasoning
Instant chicken bouillon	To taste	Optional
Lemon juice	To taste	For initial seasoning
Unsalted butter	1/2 cup, melted
Olive oil	2 tablespoons
Parmesan cheese	1/2 cup, grated
Black pepper	To taste	For sauce and seasoning
Minced garlic	2-3 cloves
Italian seasoning	1 tablespoon
Fresh parsley	2 tablespoons	Plus more for garnish
Red pepper flakes	1/2 teaspoon	Optional
Salt	To taste

My Cozy Garlic Parmesan Chicken

This chicken recipe is my go-to for a happy, busy weeknight. It fills the whole house with the most wonderful smell. My grandkids always come running when this is in the oven. It’s simple enough for any young cook to master. I promise you can do this.

Ingredients

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/2 cup melted butter
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Step 1: First, get your oven nice and hot. Set it to 400 degrees. Place your chicken pieces in a baking dish. Give them a good sprinkle of salt, pepper, and all those lovely spices. Don’t forget the lemon juice for a little zing.

Step 2: Now, let’s make the magic sauce. Mix the melted butter, olive oil, and Parmesan in a bowl. Add the minced garlic and all the seasonings. Stir it all up until it’s a beautiful, fragrant paste. (Hard-learned tip: save a tiny bit of this sauce for later. You’ll thank me!)

Step 3: Pour that saucy goodness right over the chicken. Make sure every piece gets a cozy blanket of it. I use a spoon to spread it around. Doesn’t that smell amazing already? Pop the whole dish into the hot oven.

Step 4: Bake it for about 15 to 20 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when the top is golden and bubbly. The chicken should be cooked all the way through. I still laugh at the time I forgot to set a timer. We had very crispy chicken that night! What’s your favorite side dish with chicken? Share below!

Cook Time: 15–20 minutes
Total Time: 25–30 minutes
Yield: 4 servings
Category: Dinner

Let’s Get Creative With It!

This recipe is like a perfect little black dress. You can dress it up in so many fun ways. Here are a few ideas I love to play with. They always make dinner feel new and exciting again.

Spicy Kick: Add extra red pepper flakes to the sauce. It gives it a wonderful, warm tingle.

Herb Garden: Use fresh basil and oregano from your garden. The flavor is so bright and summery.

Cheesy Crust: Mix some panko breadcrumbs into the Parmesan topping. It gets extra crispy and crunchy.

Which one would you try first? Comment below!

Serving Up a Perfect Plate

Now, what to serve with your beautiful chicken? I love it with buttery pasta or fluffy mashed potatoes. Roasted carrots or green beans are lovely too. They soak up the extra sauce so nicely. Remember that saved sauce? Drizzle it over everything.

For a drink, a crisp apple cider is always a winner. It’s sweet and tangy. For the grown-ups, a chilled glass of Pinot Grigio pairs beautifully. It cuts through the rich, cheesy flavor. Which would you choose tonight?

Keeping Your Chicken Tasty for Later

Let’s talk about storing this lovely chicken. First, let it cool completely. Then, pop it in a sealed container in the fridge. It will stay good for three days. You can also freeze it for a month. Wrap each piece tightly in foil first.

I remember making a double batch for my grandson. He was so happy to have a ready-made meal. Batch cooking saves so much time on busy nights. It means a good dinner is always close by.

To reheat, use your oven for the crispiest top. Warm it at 350°F until hot. The microwave works, but the topping gets soft. Have you ever tried storing it this way? Share below!

Simple Fixes for Common Chicken Problems

Sometimes, our cooking needs a little help. If your topping isn’t browning, move the dish higher in the oven. The top heat will help it get golden. This makes the chicken look as good as it tastes.

If the chicken seems dry, you might have baked it too long. I once did this when my neighbor called. Use a meat thermometer to check for 165°F. Getting the temperature right builds your cooking confidence. You know it will be perfect.

Is your sauce too thick? Just stir in a teaspoon of olive oil. This makes it easy to pour over your chicken. A good sauce brings all the flavors together. Which of these problems have you run into before?

Your Quick Chicken Questions Answered

Q: Is this recipe gluten-free? A: Yes, it is naturally gluten-free. Just check your bouillon label to be sure.

Q: Can I make it ahead? A: You can mix the sauce a day before. Keep it in the fridge until you need it.

Q: What if I don’t have fresh parsley? A: Dried parsley works just fine. Use one-third the amount the recipe says.

Q: Can I double the recipe? A: Of course! Use two baking dishes so the chicken isn’t crowded.

Q: Are the red pepper flakes important? A: They are optional. They just add a little warm kick. Fun fact: Paprika comes from dried peppers! Which tip will you try first?

Thank You for Cooking With Me!

I hope you love this recipe as much as my family does. It always makes my kitchen smell wonderful. Cooking for people is a way to show you care.

I would love to see your creation. It makes me so happy to see your versions. Have you tried this recipe? Tag us on Pinterest! You can find me at Olivia’s Cozy Kitchen. I can’t wait to see your beautiful dishes.

Happy cooking! —Olivia Hartwell.