Italian Chicken Breasts
Savor the bold, zesty flavors of Italian cuisine with these succulent Italian Chicken Breasts! Perfectly marinated in a blend of olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and aromatic dried herbs like oregano and basil, this dish delivers a symphony of Mediterranean flavors in every bite. The juicy chicken is lightly seared for a golden crust, then oven-baked to perfection with a finishing touch of melted Parmesan cheese. Quick enough for a weeknight dinner yet impressive for entertaining, this recipe is as versatile as it is delicious—serve it alongside roasted vegetables, creamy pasta, or a crisp green salad. With just 40 minutes of prep and cook time, these Italian Chicken Breasts are a flavorful and easy-to-make dish that's sure to impress!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 4 pieces Chicken breasts
- 3 tablespoons Olive oil
- 2 tablespoons Lemon juice
- 3 cloves Garlic cloves, minced
- 2 teaspoons Dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon Dried basil
- 1 teaspoon Paprika
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 0.5 teaspoon Freshly ground black pepper
- 0.25 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 2 tablespoons Fresh parsley, chopped (optional for garnish)
Instructions
Place the chicken breasts between two sheets of plastic wrap or parchment paper. Use a meat mallet or rolling pin to pound the chicken until it is an even thickness, approximately 1/2 inch thick.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, dried oregano, dried basil, paprika, salt, and black pepper to create the marinade.
Add the chicken breasts to the bowl and toss well, ensuring they're evenly coated with the marinade. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 8 hours for maximum flavor.
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). If using a grill, preheat to medium-high heat.
Heat a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. If you don't have an oven-safe skillet, you can use a regular skillet and transfer the chicken to a baking dish later.
Remove the chicken breasts from the marinade (discard the used marinade), and sear them in the skillet for about 2 minutes per side, until lightly browned.
If using an oven-safe skillet, transfer it directly to the preheated oven. If not, place the seared chicken in a baking dish and transfer to the oven.
Bake the chicken for 15–20 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) when checked with a meat thermometer.
In the final 5 minutes of baking, sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese evenly over the chicken breasts. Let the cheese melt and slightly brown in the oven.
Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Garnish with freshly chopped parsley, if desired, and serve warm with your favorite side dishes like roasted vegetables, pasta, or a green salad.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1552 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 67.4 g | 86% | |
| Saturated Fat | 13.4 g | 67% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 4.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 572 mg | 191% | |
| Sodium | 2877 mg | 125% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 8.8 g | 3% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 2.5 g | 9% | |
| Total Sugars | 1.1 g | ||
| Protein | 215.2 g | 430% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 140 mg | 11% | |
| Iron | 7.6 mg | 42% | |
| Potassium | 226 mg | 5% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
