This Parmesan Crusted Chicken without Breadcrumbs is crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and completely gluten-free, low-carb, and keto-friendly! Instead of breadcrumbs, it’s coated in a flavorful Parmesan and almond flour crust, giving it the perfect golden crunch.
If you’re craving more baked chicken parmesan recipes, try our Baked Chicken Parmesan or Crispy Parmesan Baked Chicken Milanese & Veggies next!
😍Why You’ll Love It
We love a good crispy chicken, and this chicken parm without breading delivers big flavor with a simple ingredient list. Here’s why it’s a must-try:
- ✔ Crispy & golden without breadcrumbs – The Parmesan-almond crust gives the best crunch while keeping it low-carb.
- ✔ Easy & quick – Ready in under 30 minutes, making it a great weeknight option.
- ✔ Keto-friendly – High in protein, low in carbs, and packed with flavor.
✅What You’ll Need
- Chicken: Use thin fillets for even cooking—either slice whole chicken breasts in half or use pre-cut cutlets to save time.
- Seasoning: Garlic powder and Italian seasoning add bold flavor. If you don’t have Italian seasoning, mix oregano and basil for a similar taste.
- Egg Wash: A well-seasoned egg wash helps the coating stick. Buttermilk can be used instead of eggs for extra tenderness.
- Parmesan Crust: Finely grated Parmesan makes the best crust—avoid pre-shredded cheese, which doesn’t adhere well. Almond flour keeps it gluten-free, and crushed pork rinds are a great keto-friendly substitute. Fresh parsley adds brightness, but dried parsley works in a pinch.
- Cooking Oil: Use a neutral oil like avocado or light olive oil for frying. Ghee adds extra depth of flavor.
🔪How to Make Baked Chicken Parmesan No Breadcrumbs
This is a quick overview—full ingredients & instructions are in the recipe card below!
Prepare the Chicken – Slice breasts in half for thin fillets. Season both sides.
Make the Egg Wash – Whisk eggs, garlic, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Dip chicken and let sit for 5 minutes.
Prepare the Parmesan Crust – Mix Parmesan, almond flour, and parsley.
Cook the Chicken – Heat oil, coat fillets in Parmesan mixture, and fry for 4-5 minutes per side until golden. Flip only when crispy. Repeat.
Baking Instructions
Prefer a hands-off approach? You can also make baked chicken parmesan without breadcrumbs!
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Place coated chicken fillets on a greased baking sheet.
- Bake for 18-20 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and cooked through.
For extra crispiness, broil for the last 2-3 minutes.
✨Substitutions & Variations
- Dairy-free option – Swap Parmesan for nutritional yeast or a dairy-free cheese alternative.
- Air fryer version – Cook at 375°F for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway.
- Spicy version – Add red pepper flakes to the Parmesan mixture.
- Classic Chicken Parm – Serve with warm marinara sauce and melted mozzarella on top.
🍽️What to Serve with Keto Chicken Parmesan
- Zucchini noodles – A light, low-carb side.
- Roasted veggies – Try our Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Honey and Balsamic Vinegar or Cheesy Garlic Roasted Asparagus.
- Mixed greens salad – Drizzle with olive oil and balsamic for freshness.
- Mashed cauliflower – A creamy, keto-friendly alternative to potatoes.
🗄️Storage & Leftovers
- Refrigerate – Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Reheat – Warm in a pan over medium heat or in the oven at 350°F.
- ❌ Not freezer-friendly – The Parmesan coating won’t stay crispy after thawing.
More Chicken Recipes You’ll Love
- Crispy Garlic Butter Chicken – A flavorful, pan-fried classic.
- Longhorn Parmesan Crusted Chicken – Juicy, cheesy, and packed with bold Parmesan flavor, just like the restaurant classic.
- Baked Ranch Chicken – Tender, juicy chicken coated in a creamy ranch seasoning and baked.
- Crusted Chicken Romano – A crispy, cheesy chicken dish with a golden Parmesan-Romano crust, full of rich flavor.
If you try this Parmesan Crusted Chicken Without Breadcrumbs, let us know in the comments! We’d love to hear how it turned out. 😊
Parmesan Crusted Chicken Without Breadcrumbs
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 2 large chicken breasts about 1.5 pounds
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons Italian seasoning
- salt and black pepper as needed
For the Egg Wash
- 2 medium eggs
- 1 garlic clove finely chopped or minced
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- salt and black pepper as needed
For the Parmesan Crust
- ¾ cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup blanched almond flour
- 1 ½ tablespoons fresh parsley finely chopped
For Cooking
- 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
Equipment
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Slice 2 large chicken breasts in half horizontally to make 4 fillets. Season both sides with 1 teaspoon garlic powder,1 ½ teaspoons Italian seasoning, salt and black pepper. Set aside.
- Make the Egg Wash: In a shallow bowl, whisk together 2 medium eggs, 1 garlic clove (minced), 1 tablespoon onion powder, salt and black pepper. Dip each chicken fillet in the egg wash and let it marinate for 5 minutes.
- Prepare the Parmesan Crust: In another shallow bowl, mix ¾ cup finely grated Parmesan cheese, ½ cup blanched almond flour, and 1 ½ tablespoons fresh parsley.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat 3 tablespoons vegetable oil in a large non-stick pan over medium heat.
- Coat each fillet in the Parmesan mixture, pressing gently to adhere. Shake off excess.
- Cook 2 fillets at a time for 4-5 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through. Don’t move the chicken while frying to prevent the crust from sticking. Flip only when golden.
- Repeat with the remaining fillets.
Video
Notes
- Use only a non-stick pan or skillet to prevent the Parmesan coating from sticking during cooking.
- For best results, let the chicken cook undisturbed for 4 minutes before checking. To ensure a golden-brown crust, gently lift a corner with tongs. Once properly browned, flip and cook the other side.
Nutrition
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Eden Cayamanda says
I made this amazing parmesan crusted chicken for dinner and it came out perfectly.I made them in two methods as the recipe suggested -baked & air fried. But most of my family members preferred the air fried chicken breasts.It’s a great recipe,
delicious and easy. It is also one of my personal favorites. Love all your recipes! Thanks for sharing!
JR says
Excellent! I’ve cooked it many times. I’ve ran out of ingredients and it still worked out. Like I didn’t have eggs so in didn’t do the egg wash and it still worked well with some olive oil and the seasoning before dipping it in the flour/cheese mix (you don’t need as much flour and cheese without the egg so probably healthier). I also really enjoy it flattening the chicken out.
chefjar says
Thanks for sharing your experience! Love how you made it work even without the eggs, and the olive oil swap sounds like a great idea! So glad the recipe has been a go-to for you! 😊
Shelley says
All was easy and perfect. My only question is why you mention Onion powder in the Egg Wash but when you look at the Steps, under Egg Wash you say to mix the ingredients but don't mention Onion.
chefjar says
Thank you for pointing that out, Shelley! I appreciate your attention to detail. It seems I missed mentioning the onion powder in the steps—I'll update it right away to clarify. I'm so glad the recipe was easy and turned out perfect for you! 😊