Chicken Parmesan is one of the dishes at every Italian restaurant in the US. I know why: it's delicious! My low carb keto chicken parmesan recipe is fast, grain free, gluten-free, & and kid-approved!
Chicken Parmesan is one of those dishes on the menu at every Italian restaurant across America. It is a classic and there is a good reason, it's delicious! But... it can be very labor-intensive to make it at home.
I'll never forget one Saturday when we first got married that we invited over some friends for dinner and decided to make chicken parm at the last minute. Not the brightest idea. I was still breading and pan-frying the chicken when the company arrived. And then it needed to bake for 45 minutes. I think we finally ate dinner after 8. Oops!
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I promise this baked low carb gluten free chicken parmesan is much easier. It is a perfect easy keto diet dinner and a favorite chicken recipe among my whole family.
Ingredients
Chicken breasts - If they are very large cut in half into thinner chicken cutlets.
Egg - Egg binds the topping to the chicken.
Grated parmesan cheese - Parmesan replaces the bread crumbs in the traditional recipe.
Dried minced garlic & onion - Feel free to substitute very finely minced fresh garlic and onion or garlic powder and onion powder.
Dried oregano, basil, & parsley - You can substitute an Italian seasoning blend instead of the individual herbs but I prefer to add the ones we like separately.
Freshly ground black pepper & salt - Enhances the other flavors of the chicken.
Marinara sauce - Make your own or check store-bought for added sugar.
Shredded mozzarella - Sliced works too!
Want to try a chicken breaded with ground pork rinds? Try my Keto Breaded Chicken Breast.
How to Make Keto Chicken Parmesan
The lazy way to make chicken parm is to just bread it and then bake it in the oven. Since the coating is flourless you can just bake it without pan-frying it first. That cuts the prep down to about 10 minutes. As much as I enjoy being in the kitchen I also love easy prep meals.
First Step: Dip a chicken breast into the beaten egg mixture. Coat in the parmesan cheese mixture. Place in a greased casserole dish. I normally just drizzle some olive oil in the bottom of my baking dish. Repeat.
Second Step: Bake the chicken at 400 for 30 minutes.
Expert Tip: This time is for using whole medium-large chicken breasts. If you are making this with thin cutlets or chicken tenderloins only bake for 15 minutes before adding the sauce and cheese. If your chicken breasts are gigantic cut them in half first.
Third Step: After par-cooking the chicken top with marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese.
Fourth Step: Bake for an additional 10-20 minutes until the chicken reaches 160 degrees on a meat thermometer and the cheese is melted.
Expert Tip: Broil for 2-3 minutes, watching constantly, to get a nice golden brown look on the cheese.
Keto Chicken Parm Tips
- Do not overcook the keto parmesan chicken. Please buy a digital meat thermometer if you do not own one. This is the key to enjoying tender and juicy chicken. Only cook it until it is 158-160 degrees and then let it rest.
- Use a delicious marinara sauce. Marinara sauce is not all the same. In a simple dish like this, you can really taste the difference between homemade and store-bought and between cheap store-bought tomato sauce and quality sauce. Watch for added sugar in jarred sauces when buying them for keto recipes. Since you only need a little bit this is a time to splurge on the good stuff.
- If you want to give this a kick mix some red pepper flakes into your pasta sauce before adding it.
Common Questions
Is Chicken Parmesan Keto?
Traditional chicken parmesan is coated with flour, egg, and bread crumbs. It is not keto because of the flour and bread crumbs. But it is very easy to swap out those ingredients for keto friendly parmesan cheese in the breading.
How to make Chicken Parmesan without Bread Crumbs
I simply use a combination of parmesan cheese and herbs instead of traditional bread crumb breading in my keto chicken parmigiana. Coconut flour or almond flour will not give the same result. Crushed pork rinds work a bit better than the low carb flours.
Can I use chicken thighs?
Yes, if you want to. I prefer the milder flavor of boneless skinless chicken breasts in this low carb chicken parmesan recipe but boneless skinless chicken thighs will work fine.
Can I make this in the air fryer?
Sure. Just grease the air fryer basket and add the chicken in a single layer. When it is 80% cooked add the sauce and cheese.
What to serve with Baked Chicken Parmesan
Our favorite side dish for keto chicken parmesan is my homemade caesar salad.
Other great side dish options are roasted green beans, garlic broccoli, balsamic mushrooms, cauliflower rice, or zucchini noodles!
Or for a vegetarian version sub the chicken for cauliflower and try my Cauliflower Parmesan.
I hope your whole family loves this lazy baked keto chicken parmesan!
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Ingredients
- 2.5 - 3 lb chicken breast
- 1 egg
- 1 cup grated parmesan cheese
- ½ tablespoon dried minced garlic
- ½ tablespoon dried minced onion
- ½ tablespoon dried oregano
- ½ tablespoon dried basil
- ½ tablespoon dried parsley
- ¼ tablespoon freshly ground black pepper
- pinch salt
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 6 oz shredded mozzarella
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400. Line a large baking sheet with foil and spray with cooking spray.
- Beat egg in one small wide bowl. In a second bowl combine the parmesan cheese with all the spices and mix.
- Dip each piece of chicken in the egg and then the cheese, coating both sides. Place on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 20-30 min. You want to chicken to be about 145-150 degrees before you add the sauce and the cheese.
- Top each piece with sauce and then shredded mozzarella. Bake for another 5-10 min until the chicken is 160 degrees when checked with a meat thermometer and the cheese is melted and bubbly. You can broil for a minute or two at the end to brown the cheese.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
For more Italian-inspired Keto Dinner Recipes try these:
Originally Published March 7, 2016. Revised and Republished with October 13, 2023.
Susan says
Being this is keto...I would normally had served over pasta...but what would go good as a side with this dish...beside a salad. Thanks
Taryn says
Palmini (hearts of palm noodles), zucchini noodles, roasted broccoli, cauliflower, sauteed zucchini.
Susan says
Thanks
Anita says
This Keto Chicken Parmesan is SO GOOD! My family loved it. My husband (who is not doing Keto) even suggested putting it on a bun and making a "fried chicken sandwich." I have made this several times, and each time has turned out delicious.
Amanda says
So good! I’ve made it several times.
Heather says
This is still my son’s favorite and he’ll call me when on his way home (he’s a trucker) to ask if I’ll make this for his dinner! It’s also a meal that guests enjoy even if they’re not low carb.
Michelle says
I cook mine at 425 for 30 minutes for juicy chicken. Also skip all the measurements of herbs and get McCormick GRINDER Italian herbs. Takes it up a notch I’m deliciousness. I just grind it right into my Parm and add a little once I’ve placed it in the pan.
Beverly says
Hello. I'm making this now with bone in chicken. my question is... Is the nutrition info for the entire recipe?
Taryn says
No, the nutrition information on my site is always for one serving. The number is servings is at the top of the recipe card.
Pam says
This was way better then I expected!! Way better then restaurant chicken Parm! 🤤
Bonny says
I made this but I put it all together and baked it. Did not bake twice, I was worried the chicken would be overdone. It was great!
Carole says
Can you make this recipe with veal?
Taryn says
I haven't tried but I think it would work. Just adjust the baking time for the recommended time for veal cutlets.
Maureen says
I don’t know what went wrong, but way over cooked. I followed directions exactly - 30 minutes precook and then another 10 to 20 to 160°. So dry, we are discussing if we should throw it out. Can’t even chew.
I just read another comment, and they said there is a cooking discrepancy between the instructions and the recipe. They wrote one says 15 minutes pre cook, the other says 30 minutes precook. Sad it’s horrible.
Taryn says
Hi Maureen, did you use 2.5 -3 pounds of chicken equally 6 pieces? And took it out of the oven at 160 internal temp? This recipe was created using the extra large chicken breasts that are typically sold nowadays. Baking an 8 oz chicken breast for 20-30 minutes to 160 degrees is pretty standard. I will edit the recipe to clarify further.
Laura Hernandez says
why are the calories so high?
Taryn says
Because I made each serving begin with a generous 7-8oz chicken. You can certainly do smaller servings.
Angie says
Very easy and delicious . Thank you for the new recipe ❤️
Ellie says
This was really, really good. Was amazed how well the parmesan worked as a "breading." I added a bit more salt to the top and I agree the quality of the marinara sauce is really important here.
Melisa M. says
Absolutely Delicious 😋 I sliced the chicken though and poured the egg in the bowl with the chicken and then added the cheese mixture to the same bowl and mixed it together and baked.. it worked great and easier for the kids to eat.
Sue Smith says
It says 6 servings. How much for each serving?
Taryn says
It depends how big your pieces of chicken are. Large pieces will be 1 per serving. If you have thin chicken breasts or tenderloins it might be 2 or even 3 per serving. Just divide the number of pieces by 6.
Ann Marie says
I've made this so many times and have never been disappointed. Thank you!
John says
This is one of the best that I have come across. Keto friendly for sure. Very tasty. I serve with Raos and a side of Palmini linguine. No need to miss out on all my Italian favorites any longer.
John says
Thanks for the recipe! One thing - the description instructs to pre-cook the chicken for 15-minutes, but the recipe itself says 30.
Taryn says
15 minutes is if you are using chicken tenderloins. For breasts it is 30.
imsen says
Very tasty! This is the first well plated recipe that I have tried and I’m glad I did. Will be trying more recipes in the near future.
Excellent taste, loved the ease of making this recipe and family loved it! Definitely a keeper!
Nana RoVo says
This is soooo easy and sooooo delicious! Thank you for this yummy recipe. Everyone enjoyed this dinner.
For my non-keto family members I served with traditional spaghetti. For myself I served with "miracle noodle", which is a super low carb noodle (made from konjac). This will be on the menu again next week... thank you, Taryn. FYI: I had no dried garlic or onion so I just minced fresh. Was delicious... and the house smelled like a delicious dinner was soon to be ready. My sister can't stop talking about dinner last night! Try this anytime, you will not be disappointed. 👍🏼