Sheet Pan Chicken Parmesan for Busy Weeknights

Jump to Recipe

This Sheet Pan Chicken Parmesan is a comforting one pan meal that brings together crispy Parmesan crusted chicken, rich marinara, and melty mozzarella, all baked together on one pan. It has all the classic Chicken Parmesan flavor without frying or a sink full of dishes, which makes it perfect for busy weeknights.

The chicken bakes up golden and tender, giving you a reliable sheet pan dinner that fits easily into your regular rotation of family-friendly chicken dinner recipes and simple pan baked meals.

Plate of sheet pan chicken parmesan with parmesan crusted chicken, melted mozzarella, marinara sauce, and roasted vegetables served as a one pan meal.

Why You Will Love This Recipe for an Easy Family Dinner

This Sheet Pan Chicken Parmesan checks all the boxes for busy families who rely on sheet pan dinners and one pan meals during the week. Everything cooks together in one pan, making it one of those sheet pan dinner recipes you can count on when you are short on preptime or low on energy after a long day.
The chicken bakes up tender with a crisp Parmesan crust, giving you that classic Parmesan crusted chicken flavor without frying. It feels like comfort food, but it is made in the oven as a lighter pan baked meal.
This recipe works well as part of your regular rotation of chicken dinner recipes because it is familiar, filling, and flexible. Pair it with roasted vegetables on the same pan, and you have a complete sheet pan recipe, and all kids love the cheese on the top.
If your family loves simple chicken dishes recipes with bold flavor, this garlic Parmesan chicken is an easy win that does not require extra steps or extra dishes.

Substitutions for the Vegetables

Broccoli or broccolini
Zucchini or yellow squash
Bell peppers (any color)
Red onion wedges
Green beans
Asparagus
Mushrooms

This post contains some affiliate links, for your convenience (which means if you make a purchase after clicking a link, I will earn a small commission, which helps keep my blog up and running, but it won’t cost you a penny more)! Click here to read my full disclosure policy.

Tools Needed

Sheet pan with sheet pan chicken parmesan, parmesan crusted chicken topped with marinara and melted mozzarella, surrounded by roasted vegetables for a one pan meal.

Ingredients Needed for Sheet Pan Chicken Parmesan Dinner

4 Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts
1 cup of seasoned Panko Breadcrumbs
1/4 cup grated Parmesan Cheese
1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning
1/2 teaspoon Garlic Powder
1/2 teaspoon Salt
1/2 teaspoon Black Pepper
2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
1 cup of Marinaro Sauce
1/2 of a Mozzarella Cheese Ball, Sliced

Four-step collage showing sheet pan chicken parmesan from breaded chicken to baked parmesan crusted chicken with marinara and melted mozzarella prepared as a one pan meal.

How to Make Easy Sheet Pan Chicken Parmesan

Preheat the overn ot 400° F. Spray oil a large baking sheet or line with parchment paper.
In a shallow bowl, mix breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.
Coat the chicken breasts with olive oil.
Press the chicken into the breadcrumb mixture and coat both sides. Place on the prepared baking sheet.
Arrange all the washed and sliced veggies around the chicken. Lightly spray the veggies with spray olive oil and salt and pepper.
Bake at 400° F. for 18-20 minutes, making sure the internal temperature of the chicken is at 165°F. Do not guess; use a digital food thermometer.
When the chicken is fully cooked, layer on top of each chicken breast a slice of mozzarella cheese. Put the pan back in the oven on broil to melt the cheese. Do not walk away, as this happens fast.
Meanwhile, heat the jar of sauce on your stove. When the cheese is bubbly and melted, remove the pan from the oven and spoon a good amount over each chicken breast.
Serve hot.

Breaded chicken and vegetables arranged on a sheet pan before baking, ready for a simple one pan chicken dinner chicken before it is cooked.

FAQ’s Questions Answered

Can I prep this ahead without ruining the texture?

You can prep parts of this recipe ahead, but you should not fully bread the chicken in advance. Breadcrumbs absorb moisture as they sit, which causes the Parmesan crust to soften and bake up dense instead of crisp.
For best results: Mix the breadcrumb and Parmesan coating ahead of time. Slice the vegetables and store them separately. Then coat and bread the chicken right before baking.

Why does the Parmesan crust fall off the chicken?

The Parmesan crust usually falls off when the chicken surface is too wet, or the coating is pressed on lightly. For Parmesan crusted chicken, the chicken should be evenly coated with olive oil, then firmly pressed into the breadcrumb mixture. This helps the crust adhere and bake properly in sheet pan dinners without separating.

Can I use jarred marinara sauce for this recipe?

Yes. Jarred marinara works well for chicken dinner recipes like this one. Use a thicker sauce so it stays on top of the Parmesan crusted chicken instead of soaking into the coating.

Is fresh mozzarella better than shredded mozzarella?

Fresh mozzarella slices melt evenly and stay creamy, which works well for pan baked meals like this one. Shredded mozzarella can be used, but it melts faster and may spread more across the pan, which can soften the Parmesan crusted layer.

How do I keep the chicken from drying out?

The most common reason chicken dries out in sheet pan recipes is overbaking. Use a digital thermometer and remove the chicken as soon as it reaches 165°F.

Do leftovers reheat well?

Leftovers reheat best in the oven or air fryer, not the microwave. Reheating this Parmesan crusted chicken at 350°F helps restore the texture and keeps it from turning soggy, which is common with chicken dish recipes that include breading.