Easy Gluten Free Chicken Parmesan Recipe

An easy, lightend-up, gluten free version of the Italian classic that's perfect for a weeknight meal.

Lightened Up Gluten Free Chicken Parmesan

Jump to Recipe

This quick and easy take on a classic Italian dish is a healthier, gluten free option that comes together in no time. With minimal effort, easy ingredients, and very few dishes, this family favorite is a breeze to throw together on a weeknight for a dinner everyone will love.

This post may contains affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my links, at no extra cost to you. Please read the full disclosure for more information.

What you will need for this Easy Gluten Free Chicken Parmesan Recipe

Chicken Breasts

The base of our dish is the chicken. Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are the best choice since they are easy to cook and can be flattened for even cooking. Not only are they lean and packed with protein—around 31 grams of protein per 100 grams of chicken—but they also soak up flavors well, making them the perfect base for this recipe.

Olive Oil

Next we have olive oil, which is crucial for cooking. It provides healthy fats that help your body absorb vitamins and adds a rich flavor to the dish. You will use olive oil to brown the chicken; about 2 Tbsp for sautéing. This step ensures that each piece is golden and delicious.

Salt and Black Pepper

These two basic seasonings are essential. A sprinkle of salt amplifies the chicken's natural flavor, while fresh ground black pepper adds just a hint of spice. These two together are all it takes to season the chicken since there are lots of other flavors and spices coming from other ingredients in the dish.

Marinara Sauce

A good marinara sauce is vital for this dish. You can make your own but a jarred version will save you time and effort on a busy weeknight. Aim for a sauce that contains no added sugars and features simple ingredients.

Parmesan Cheese

Freshly grated Parmesan cheese adds that beautiful salty, nutty flavor that is irresistible. Look for a quality Parmesan cheese in block form that was made in Italy for this dish, but if you are in a pinch a pre-grated option will suffice though it won't add the same depth of flavor.

Breadcrumbs

Breadcrumbs are essential for achieving that crispy topping we love. You can use either plain or seasoned store-bought gluten free breadcrumbs. I like the Schar Gluten Free Bread Crumbs that I get from Thrive Market, but you can also crush up gluten free crackers, corn chex cereal, or tortilla chips in a pinch to get an equally crunchy topping.

Italian Seasoning

If you are using unseasoned breadcrumbs add an Italian seasoning mix to them to add that wonderful herby flavor that pairs so well with the other ingredients.

Cooking Steps

Step 1: Preheat the Oven

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees fahrenheit. If you are serving the chicken over pasta bring a pot of water to boil on the stove for that.

Step 2: Prepare the Chicken

Place a cast iron skillet or other ove-safe pan on the stove and turn it on medium heat. While waiting for it to heat up, place your chicken breasts between two sheets of plastic wrap. Use a meat mallet or rolling pin to flatten them to an even thickness of about 1 inch. This helps ensure that they cook evenly. Season both sides generously with salt and black pepper.

Step 3: Cook the Chicken

Heat 2 Tbsp of olive oil in the skillet for about 15 seconds before placing the chicken breasts in the pan. Leave them untouched for about 4-5 minutes until the bottom side gets golden brown, then flip the breasts to the other side. Cook for another 3-5 minutes until that side is also golden and the chicken is almost cooked through.

Pour the jar of marinara sauce over the cooked chicken breasts.

Step 4: Assemble the Dish

Once your chicken is almost done pour marinara sauce liberally over the tops of all the chicken breasts. When serving over pasta we like to add extra sauce to the pan so there is no dry pasta when it comes to serving. Next sprinkle your grated parmesan cheese on top of each chicken breast, followed by the seasoned breadcrumbs. Once everything is assembled it is time to bake.

Step 5: Bake

Place the oven-safe skillet in the oven for 10-15 minutes until the breadcrumbs are toasted, the sauce is bubbly, and the chicken is fully cooked through with an internal temperature of 165 degrees fahrenheit.

Lazy weeknight chicken parmesan is served!

Step 7: Serve and Enjoy

Pull the skillet out of the oven and let it cool for 5-10 minutes before serving. Serve the chicken over gluten free pasta or with a side salad. Chop some fresh herbs like basil, parsley, or oregano to sprinkle on top and enjoy.

Lazy Weeknight Chicken Parmesan

Easy weeknight chicken parmesan served over gluten free pasta.

This easy, lightened up chicken parmesan recipe is the perfect weeknight version of a classic dish that is easy to throw together on a busy night.

Pin Recipe

Preparation Time and Servings

• Prep Time: 2 mins

• Cook Time: 25-30 mins

• Total Time: 27-32 mins

• Yield: 4 servings

• Serving Size: 1 Chicken breast

Nutrition Information (per serving)

• Calories: 502

• Carbohydrates: 34

• Protein: 55

• Fat: 12

• Fiber: 3.3

• Sugar: 7

Ingredients

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

• 2 Tbsp olive oil

• Salt and Pepper to taste

• 1 Jar of marinara sauce

• 3/4 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese

• 1/2 breadcrumbs

• 1 Tbsp Italian seasoning (if your breadcrumbs aren’t seasoned)

• Fresh Italian herbs for topping like basil, oregano, or parsley (optional)

Directions

1) Place a cast iron skillet or other oven-safe skillet on the stove on medium heat. At the same time preheat your oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. (If you are serving the chicken over gluten free pasta bring a pot of water to boil on the stove and then follow the directions on the box)

2) Place your chicken breasts between 2 pieces of plastic wrap and using a meat mallet or rolling pin flatten them to an even thickness of about 1 inch. Season both sides generously with salt and black pepper.

3) Add 2 Tbsp of olive to the hot skillet and let it heat for about 15 second. Place the chicken breasts in the skillet and let cook untouched for 4-5 minutes until the bottom side becomes golden brown. Flip the chicken breasts over and cook for another 3-5 minutes on the second side until it is also golden brown and the chicken is most of the way Cookes through (it will finish cooking the rest of the way in the oven.)

4) Pour as much of the jar of marinara sauce as you want on top of the chicken breasts (I like to use a full jar). Next, sprinkle the grated parmesan on top of each marinara-covered chicken breast. If your breadcrumbs are unseasoned, mix the Italian seasoning with the breadcrumbs and then sprinkle the mixture on top of each chicken breast.

5) Place the oven-safe skillet in the preheated oven for 10-15 minutes until the breadcrumbs are golden, the marinara sauce is bubbly, and the chicken has reached an internal temperature of 165 degrees. Pull the skillet out and let it cool for 5-10 minutes before serving. Sprinkle some freshly chopped herbs on top and serve over gluten free pasta or with a side salad.

Notes:

• You can use as many chicken breasts as you want for this recipe, just adjust the ratios of the other ingredients to make sure each breast gets an appropriate amount of parmesan and breadcrumbs on top.

• If you do not have an oven safe skillet you can cook the chicken breasts on the stovetop and then transfer them to a baking dish before adding the toppings and placing in the oven.

• If you don’t have Italian seasoning you can make your own by mixing together several sprinkles of each of the following spices: basil, oregano, parsley, and rosemary.