Keto Chicken Parmesan
A low-carb twist on the Italian-American classic, featuring crispy, pan-fried chicken breasts topped with marinara sauce and melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. A satisfying and flavorful meal for two.
Prepare chicken and breading station
Slice each chicken breast horizontally to create thinner cutlets, about 1/2-inch thick. If they are very thick, you can pound them gently between two pieces of plastic wrap to an even thickness. In a shallow bowl, whisk the 1 large egg and 1 tablespoon heavy cream together. On a separate plate, combine the 1/2 cup pork rind crumbs or almond flour, 2 tablespoons of the grated Parmesan cheese, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon dried basil, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/8 teaspoon black pepper. Mix these dry ingredients well.
💡 Pro Tips:
- •Thinning the chicken helps it cook evenly and faster.
- •Make sure your breading station is set up neatly for easy coating.
Coat and pan-fry chicken
Dip each chicken cutlet into the egg mixture, letting any extra liquid drip off. Then, press the chicken into the dry breading mixture, making sure both sides are fully coated. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet (an oven-safe one if you plan to broil) over medium-high heat. Carefully place the coated chicken into the hot skillet. Cook for about 4-6 minutes per side, until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature should reach 165°F / 74°C).
💡 Pro Tips:
- •Ensure the oil is hot before adding chicken to get a crisp crust.
- •Do not overcrowd the skillet; cook in batches if needed.
Top with sauce and cheese
Remove the cooked chicken from the skillet and place it on a baking sheet or back into an oven-safe skillet. Spoon 1 cup low-carb marinara sauce over each chicken cutlet. Sprinkle 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese and the remaining 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese evenly over the sauce on each piece of chicken.
💡 Pro Tips:
- •Using a good quality, low-carb marinara sauce is key for the keto diet.
- •Freshly shredded mozzarella melts better than pre-shredded.
Broil until bubbly
Preheat your oven's broiler (the top heating element). Place the baking sheet or oven-safe skillet under the broiler for 2-4 minutes, watching carefully, until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden brown. Be careful not to burn the cheese.
💡 Pro Tips:
- •Broilers can cook very quickly, so stay close and watch the cheese closely.
- •The goal is melted, slightly browned cheese, not burnt.
Serve
Carefully remove from the oven and serve the Keto Chicken Parmesan immediately. This dish pairs well with zucchini noodles, cauliflower mash, or a simple green salad for a complete keto meal.
💡 Pro Tips:
- •Serving hot ensures the cheese is perfectly melted and gooey.
- •Consider a side of fresh basil leaves for added freshness.
- Shallow bowls or plates (for breading station)
- Large skillet (oven-safe if broiling in same pan)
- Baking sheet (if not using oven-safe skillet)
- Tongs or spatula
- Measuring cups
- Measuring spoons
- 💡For best keto results, ensure your marinara sauce has no added sugar.
- 💡If you do not have pork rinds, finely ground almond flour is another excellent keto breading option.
- 💡You can add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the breading mix for a little heat.
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