Lightened-Up Chicken Parmesan (Printable Version)

Tender baked chicken with marinara and mozzarella atop fresh zucchini noodles, a lighter gluten-free choice.

# What You'll Need:

→ Chicken

01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, about 5 oz each
02 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
03 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

→ Coating

04 - 1/2 cup almond flour
05 - 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
06 - 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs
07 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
08 - 1 large egg, beaten

→ Topping

09 - 1 cup marinara sauce, low-sugar preferred
10 - 1 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
11 - 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
12 - Fresh basil leaves for garnish

→ Zucchini Noodles

13 - 4 medium zucchini, spiralized
14 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
15 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
16 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

# How to Prepare:

01 - Preheat oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease with oil.
02 - Pat chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Season both sides evenly with salt and pepper.
03 - In a shallow dish, combine almond flour, grated Parmesan, dried Italian herbs, and garlic powder. Mix thoroughly.
04 - Dip each chicken breast into beaten egg, then coat thoroughly in the almond flour mixture, pressing gently to ensure coating adheres.
05 - Arrange coated chicken on prepared baking sheet. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
06 - Remove from oven. Spoon marinara sauce evenly over each breast. Sprinkle mozzarella and additional Parmesan on top. Return to oven for 5 to 7 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
07 - While chicken bakes, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add spiralized zucchini, season with salt and pepper, and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes until tender but still firm.
08 - Divide zucchini noodles among serving plates. Top each portion with one prepared chicken breast. Garnish with fresh basil leaves before serving.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • Tastes like the real deal—crispy, cheesy, and deeply satisfying—but your body actually thanks you.
  • Comes together in under an hour, which means you can pull it off on a Tuesday night without losing your mind.
  • Naturally gluten-free and low-carb, so it works whether you're following a specific diet or just want to feel lighter.
02 -
  • Pat your chicken completely dry before dredging—any moisture clinging to the surface will steam instead of fry, leaving you with a pale, sad coating instead of a golden one.
  • Don't walk away while the zucchini noodles cook; they go from perfectly tender to waterlogged in about 30 seconds, and there's no coming back from that.
  • Use a meat thermometer if you have one; it removes all the guesswork and means your chicken is never overcooked, which keeps it juicy even with the cheese on top.
03 -
  • Use parchment paper on your baking sheet; it browns the chicken evenly and means you'll spend zero time scrubbing after dinner.
  • Don't skip the meat thermometer moment—it's the only way to guarantee perfectly cooked chicken every single time, and it removes the anxiety from cooking for others.
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