Make Chicken Parm Without Bread Crumbs: Try These Alternatives

Chicken Parmesan is a classic comfort food, but the traditional breaded version can be a little heavy. A great alternative is to make chicken parm without breadcrumbs, which is healthier, easier to make, and still full of flavor. This can be achieved by using a variety of coatings, such as cornflakes, almond flour, or just cheese, and the chicken can be baked or fried.

Characteristics and Values table for breading chicken for chicken parm without breadcrumbs

Use thin chicken breasts

Thin chicken breasts are ideal for chicken parm as they cook evenly and quickly. If your chicken breasts are thick, you can slice them in half to create thin fillets. You can also pound the chicken breasts with a meat mallet to make them thinner and ensure even cooking.

To prepare the chicken for breading, season both sides of the breasts with salt and pepper. You can also add other seasonings like garlic powder, onion powder, or Italian seasoning.

Once seasoned, you can bread the chicken breasts without using traditional breadcrumbs. Here's a step-by-step guide:

• Set up three large shallow bowls in an assembly line.
• Put flour in the first bowl. You can use all-purpose flour or alternative flours like almond flour or tapioca flour.
• Beat eggs in the second bowl. You can use whole eggs or just egg whites. For extra flavour, you can add seasonings like garlic, onion powder, salt, and pepper to the egg mixture.
• In the third bowl, prepare the crumb coating. Instead of breadcrumbs, mix finely grated Parmesan cheese with almond flour. You can also add fresh herbs like parsley or Italian seasoning to this mixture.
• Coat the chicken breast in flour, shaking off any excess.
• Dip the floured chicken into the egg mixture, letting any excess drip off.
• Finally, dredge the chicken in the Parmesan and almond flour mixture, turning to coat both sides thoroughly.
• Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
• Fry the breaded chicken breasts until golden brown on both sides.

Alternatively, you can bake the breaded chicken in the oven. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Place the breaded chicken on a greased baking sheet and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through.

Season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, chilli powder

Seasoning your chicken is a crucial step in making delicious chicken parm. Here are some detailed instructions on how to season your chicken with salt, pepper, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and chilli powder:

Start by patting your chicken breasts dry with a paper towel. This helps ensure that the seasonings you're about to apply will adhere properly to the surface of the chicken. Thin chicken breasts are ideal for even cooking, but if you're using thicker ones, you can pound them to the desired thickness using a meat mallet. Place the chicken cutlet between two pieces of parchment paper or plastic wrap before pounding to avoid making a mess.

Now it's time to apply the seasonings! Sprinkle both sides of the chicken generously with salt and pepper. Don't be shy with these basics, as they form the foundation of flavour for your dish. Next, add a healthy dose of garlic powder, which will enhance the savoury notes of your chicken parm. Follow this with Italian seasoning, which typically includes a blend of herbs such as oregano, basil, and thyme. This seasoning blend will infuse your chicken with the flavours of Italy. Finally, if you enjoy a bit of spice, sprinkle some chilli powder over the chicken. Chilli powder adds a kick that complements the other seasonings beautifully.

Once your chicken is seasoned, you can move on to the next steps of your chicken parm recipe, such as dipping the chicken in an egg wash or coating it with a Parmesan and almond flour crust, as suggested by some non-breadcrumb recipes. Remember, the seasoning is a critical step, so don't skimp on it!

Feel free to experiment with the amounts of each seasoning to suit your taste preferences. You may also choose to add other spices or herbs to further enhance the flavour profile of your chicken parm.

Make an egg wash

To make an egg wash for chicken parm without breadcrumbs, you'll need to gather the following ingredients:

• Eggs
• Garlic powder
• Italian seasoning
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Onion powder

Take a shallow bowl and whisk the eggs in it. You can add garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, and onion powder to the eggs and whisk everything together. You can also add milk to the eggs and whisk to make an egg wash.

The number of eggs you use will depend on the quantity of chicken you are preparing. Typically, you will need about two medium eggs for four chicken fillets. Whisk the eggs until they are well combined and frothy. You can also add minced garlic to the egg wash for extra flavour.

Once you have prepared the egg wash, dip each chicken fillet into it and let it marinate for a few minutes. This will help the coating adhere to the chicken and ensure a crispy texture. After marinating, you can proceed to coat the chicken with your chosen alternative to breadcrumbs, such as Parmesan cheese and almond flour.

Prepare a parmesan crust with almond flour

Preparing a parmesan crust with almond flour is a great way to make your chicken crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, without the need for breadcrumbs. This method also makes the dish gluten-free, low-carb, and keto-friendly. Here's how to prepare a parmesan crust with almond flour:

Prepare the Chicken:

Start by slicing 2 large chicken breasts horizontally to create 4 fillets. This helps ensure even cooking. If your chicken breasts are too thick, you can pound them to the desired thickness using a meat mallet. Place a piece of chicken cutlet between two pieces of parchment paper or plastic wrap before pounding.

Season the Chicken:

Season both sides of the chicken fillets with your desired spices. A suggested combination is 1 teaspoon of garlic powder, 1 ½ teaspoons of Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper.

Make the Egg Wash:

In a shallow bowl, create an egg wash by whisking together 2 medium eggs, 1 clove of minced garlic, 1 tablespoon of onion powder, and a pinch of salt and black pepper. Dip each chicken fillet into the egg wash and let it marinate for about 5 minutes.

Prepare the Parmesan-Almond Crust:

In another shallow bowl, mix ¾ cup of finely grated Parmesan cheese, ½ cup of blanched almond flour, and 1 ½ tablespoons of fresh parsley. You can also add other spices or herbs to the mixture if desired. Make sure to mix the ingredients well so that the almond flour is fully incorporated into the Parmesan cheese, creating a cohesive crust mixture.

Coat the Chicken:

After dipping the chicken in the egg wash, coat each fillet generously with the Parmesan-almond flour mixture. Make sure to press the mixture onto the chicken gently to ensure an even and thorough coating.

Cooking the Chicken:

Once the chicken is coated, it can be cooked according to your preferred method. You can bake it in the oven, pan-fry it, or even use an air fryer. Follow standard cooking times and temperatures for chicken parm, adjusting as needed depending on your chosen cooking method.

Bake, fry, or use an air fryer

Bake

To bake chicken parm without breadcrumbs, start by seasoning the chicken breasts with salt, pepper, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, or any other spices of your choice. Then, dip the chicken in an egg wash—a mixture of egg, garlic, onion powder, and spices—and let it marinate. Next, coat the chicken with a mixture of Parmesan cheese, almond flour, and parsley. Place the coated chicken on a greased baking sheet and bake for 18 to 20 minutes at 400°F (200°C), flipping halfway through.

Fry

If you prefer a fried version, you can use a similar preparation method as the baked option. After coating the chicken with the Parmesan mixture, heat oil in a pan over medium heat. Fry the chicken until lightly browned on both sides, then transfer it to a baking sheet. Top with tomato sauce and Parmesan cheese, and bake in the oven until cooked through.

Air Fry

For an air fryer version, you can follow similar steps as the baked or fried option. After coating the chicken with the Parmesan mixture, spray the chicken with cooking spray or oil. Place the chicken in the air fryer basket and cook at 375°F for 10 to 12 minutes, flipping halfway through.

Tips

• For a dairy-free option, replace Parmesan with nutritional yeast or a dairy-free cheese alternative.
• For extra crispiness, broil the baked chicken for the last 2-3 minutes.
• To ensure even cooking, use thin chicken fillets or pound thicker breasts to the desired thickness.
• Brining the chicken before cooking can make it juicier.

Frequently asked questions