Juicy, Creamy, and Incredibly Easy Oven-Baked Chicken
If you're looking for a chicken dinner that's packed with flavor but requires very little effort, this Mayonnaise and Parmesan Chicken recipe is about to become a family favorite. Tender chicken breasts are coated in a rich, creamy mixture of mayonnaise, Parmesan cheese, garlic, and herbs, then baked until perfectly juicy with a beautifully golden, cheesy crust.
The mayonnaise helps lock in moisture while the Parmesan creates a savory topping that's crisp around the edges and creamy underneath. The result is chicken that's incredibly tender on the inside with a flavorful crust that tastes like it came from your favorite restaurant.
Whether you're cooking for a busy weeknight, meal prepping for the week, or serving guests, this simple baked chicken recipe is guaranteed to impress.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Easy to make with simple pantry ingredients
- Moist and juicy every time
- Rich Parmesan flavor
- Creamy garlic topping
- Ready in under an hour
- Family-friendly
- Naturally low in carbohydrates
- Perfect for meal prep
- Minimal cleanup
- Great for beginners
What Makes Mayonnaise So Good for Baked Chicken?
Many people are surprised to see mayonnaise in a chicken recipe, but it serves an important purpose.
Mayonnaise is made primarily from:
- Eggs
- Oil
- Vinegar or lemon juice
During baking, it helps:
- Keep the chicken moist
- Create a creamy coating
- Help the Parmesan brown beautifully
- Prevent the chicken from drying out
The finished dish doesn't taste like mayonnaise. Instead, it creates a rich, flavorful crust that keeps the meat incredibly tender.
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
For the Parmesan Topping
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- ¾ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon chopped fresh parsley (or ½ teaspoon dried parsley)
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
Optional Garnish
- Fresh parsley
- Extra Parmesan
- Lemon wedges
Choosing the Best Chicken
Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are the traditional choice for this recipe.
For even cooking:
- Choose chicken breasts of similar size.
- If they're very thick, pound them gently to an even thickness of about 1 inch.
You can also use boneless, skinless chicken thighs, adjusting the cooking time as needed.
