If you’re on the hunt for an easy, comforting dinner that hits all the right notes—creamy, cheesy, garlicky goodness—I absolutely love sharing this Mayo Parmesan Chicken Bake Recipe with you. It’s one of those dishes that’s both fuss-free and impressive, perfect for busy weeknights or when guests drop by unexpectedly. Trust me, once you try it, your weeknight rotation will never be the same!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Simplicity meets flavor: Combining mayo and Parmesan creates a creamy, crispy topping with minimal ingredients.
- Quick prep and cook time: Ready in just about 30 minutes, perfect for weeknights or last-minute meals.
- Family-friendly comfort: My family goes crazy for this dish and it’s a sure crowd-pleaser every time.
- Versatile and forgiving: Easy to tweak with seasonings or sides, making it your new go-to chicken recipe.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients come together effortlessly to create a luscious coating that locks in chicken’s juiciness. Each component plays a role — mayo adds moisture, Parmesan brings sharpness and crunch, and garlic gives it that irresistible kick. Here are some tips on picking quality staples before we dive in.
- Boneless skinless chicken breasts: I like to use thin breasts or pound them evenly for quick, uniform cooking.
- Mayonnaise: Mayo is the secret sauce here — use a good quality full-fat kind for the creamiest results.
- Parmesan cheese: Freshly grated Parmesan packs the best flavor and melts beautifully on top.
- Minced garlic: Fresh garlic shines here, but you can also use high-quality jarred minced garlic in a pinch.
- Ground mustard: This adds a subtle tang that balances richness without being overpowering.
- Salt and pepper: Essential to enhance all the flavors and season the chicken perfectly.
- Paprika: For a bit of warmth and mild smoky depth — I love the color it adds too!
Variations
I love how this Mayo Parmesan Chicken Bake Recipe can easily be adjusted to your taste or dietary needs. Whether you want to lighten it up or jazz it up with extra herbs, here’s what I recommend based on my kitchen experiments.
- Herby Twist: Adding ½ to 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning to the mayo mixture gives it a fresh herbal vibe that my family adores on weekends.
- Greek Yogurt Swap: I sometimes replace half of the mayo with Greek yogurt to cut some fat but keep that creamy tang — perfect for a lighter version.
- Spicy Kick: A pinch of cayenne or red pepper flakes kicked things up nicely when I wanted a bit more heat without complicating the recipe.
- Cheese Upgrade: Mixing in some shredded mozzarella with Parmesan makes the top extra melty and gooey, which is a real treat.
How to Make Mayo Parmesan Chicken Bake Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Chicken for Even Cooking
Start by preheating your oven to 400ºF and spraying a 9×13” baking dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking. Then, take your chicken breasts and give them a good pounding until they’re all roughly the same thinness—this helps everything bake evenly and stay juicy. If your breasts are large, slicing them horizontally into thinner cutlets works wonders too. This little step makes all the difference in cooking perfectly tender chicken instead of dry edges.
Step 2: Season and Layer the Magic Mixture
Place the chicken breasts in your prepared pan and sprinkle each side lightly with salt and pepper. In a small bowl, mix together the mayonnaise, ¾ cup of Parmesan cheese, minced garlic, ground mustard, salt, paprika, and black pepper until it’s smooth and creamy. Spoon that luscious mixture evenly over the chicken breasts, then sprinkle the remaining Parmesan cheese on top for that irresistible golden crust.
Step 3: Bake and Broil to Perfection
Bake the chicken in the preheated oven for about 20 minutes or until the internal temperature hits 165ºF. If you love that light golden brown crust (who doesn’t?), switch your oven to broil on low and broil for 2 minutes — but keep a very close eye to avoid burning. This quick broil gives you an irresistible cheesy top that’s crispy but still moist beneath.
Pro Tips for Making Mayo Parmesan Chicken Bake Recipe
- Even Thickness Matters: Pounding chicken breasts evenly is a game changer—I used to skip this and ended up with overcooked edges and undercooked centers.
- Mayonnaise Quality: Using full-fat mayo really impacts the creamy texture—light mayo tends to make it less rich and slightly clumpier.
- Watch the Broil: The broil step only takes about 2 minutes—stay right there and check so the tops don’t burn; this is the trick for that beautiful golden finish.
- Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: Give your chicken room in the baking dish to bake evenly and get that perfect crust all around.
How to Serve Mayo Parmesan Chicken Bake Recipe
Garnishes
I like to sprinkle a little extra chopped fresh parsley or basil over the hot chicken—it adds a pop of color and fresh flavor that brightens the whole dish. A squeeze of lemon over the top can also cut through the richness and elevate the taste beautifully. If you’re feeling a little fancy, a few red pepper flakes add a nice subtle heat.
Side Dishes
This chicken bake pairs wonderfully with simple sides like roasted vegetables, garlic mashed potatoes, or a crisp green salad. I’ve also served it with buttery rice pilaf or garlic bread when I’m craving something a bit heartier—either way, it soaks up all those delicious cheesy juices!
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, I’ve arranged the chicken breasts on a serving platter surrounded by colorful roasted cherry tomatoes and fresh herbs. It looks stunning and feels a little more festive without adding extra time. Drizzling a balsamic glaze over the top adds an elegant tang that folks always remark on.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store any leftover Mayo Parmesan Chicken Bake in an airtight container in the fridge, and it keeps well for up to four days. When reheating, I make sure to separate pieces so they warm evenly, which helps keep that delicate crispy topping from getting soggy.
Freezing
Freezing this dish works okay if you wrap it tightly, but I prefer freezing the raw seasoned chicken and preparing the mayo-Parmesan topping fresh. That way, the texture stays much better after baking. If you do freeze leftovers, try to use them within 2 months for best taste.
Reheating
Reheating in an air fryer is my personal favorite for leftovers—it crisps up the cheese topping beautifully and warms the meat through quickly without drying it out. If you don’t have an air fryer, a quick stint in a conventional oven at 350ºF for 10-15 minutes does the trick.
FAQs
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Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts for the Mayo Parmesan Chicken Bake Recipe?
Absolutely! Bone-in or boneless chicken thighs will work well and tend to stay even juicier. Just adjust cooking time slightly—thighs may need a few extra minutes to reach the safe internal temperature of 165ºF.
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Is there a way to make this recipe dairy-free?
For a dairy-free option, try substituting the Parmesan with nutritional yeast or a dairy-free cheese alternative, and use a mayo that’s labeled dairy-free. The texture and flavor will vary a bit, but it still delivers creamy deliciousness.
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Can I prepare the chicken ahead of time and bake it later?
Yes! Prep the chicken with the mayo-Parmesan mixture and store it covered in the fridge for up to 24 hours, then bake when ready. This is a great way to save time on busy nights.
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What’s the best way to check if the chicken is cooked perfectly?
The most reliable way is to use an instant-read thermometer—you’re looking for 165ºF in the thickest part. If you don’t have one, cut into the thickest piece and make sure juices run clear and there’s no pink inside.
Final Thoughts
This Mayo Parmesan Chicken Bake Recipe is honestly one of those meals I keep going back to because it’s deceptively simple yet incredibly satisfying. It’s perfect when you want to impress with minimal effort or whip up a no-fail dish for the fam. I can’t recommend it enough—give it a try, and let it become a staple in your kitchen the way it did in mine!
Print
Mayo Parmesan Chicken Bake Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Mayo Chicken with Parmesan recipe is a simple yet flavorful baked chicken dish that features tender boneless, skinless chicken breasts coated in a creamy mixture of mayonnaise, garlic, Parmesan cheese, and spices. It bakes to juicy perfection with a golden, slightly browned cheesy topping that adds delightful texture and taste, perfect for an easy weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 4 thin boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 1 ½ pounds)
- Salt and pepper for seasoning
Sauce
- ½ cup mayonnaise (115 grams)
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided (3 ounces)
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic (16 grams)
- ½ teaspoon ground mustard
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat the oven to 400ºF (204ºC). Lightly spray a 9×13 inch baking dish with cooking spray to prevent the chicken from sticking.
- Pound Chicken: Pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness throughout to ensure they cook evenly. If the chicken breasts are very large, slice them horizontally to make thinner pieces.
- Season Chicken: Place the chicken breasts in the prepared baking dish and sprinkle evenly with salt and pepper to season.
- Make Sauce: In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise and ¾ cup of the grated Parmesan cheese. Add the minced garlic, ground mustard, salt, paprika, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly to create a creamy, flavorful coating.
- Coat Chicken: Spoon the mayonnaise mixture evenly over each chicken breast, making sure they are well covered. Then sprinkle the remaining ¼ cup Parmesan cheese over the tops of the coated chicken breasts.
- Bake: Bake the chicken in the preheated oven for about 20 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165ºF (74ºC), ensuring the chicken is cooked through and juicy.
- Broil for Browning: For a golden, slightly browned top, switch your oven to low broil and broil the chicken for 2 minutes. Keep a careful watch to prevent burning.
Notes
- Reheat leftover chicken in an air fryer for extra crispiness.
- For extra flavor, add ½ to 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning to the mayonnaise mixture.
- You can substitute half of the mayonnaise with sour cream or Greek yogurt for a different taste and creaminess.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days for best freshness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast (approx. 6 oz)
- Calories: 380 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 27 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 19 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 2 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 33 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
