Heart-Healthy Classic Chicken Parmesan

Elevate your comfort food game with this Heart-Healthy Classic Chicken Parmesan, a flavorful twist on the beloved Italian-American dish. This recipe swaps traditional ingredients for more nutritious alternatives, featuring whole wheat breadcrumbs, part-skim mozzarella, and unsalted tomato sauce to keep it light and wholesome without compromising flavor. The chicken is perfectly crisped with just a touch of olive oil before being baked to golden, cheesy perfection. Packed with aromatic Italian seasoning and fresh basil, this dish is a deliciously satisfying way to enjoy a guilt-free dinner that's ready in just 50 minutes. Pair it with steamed veggies or a crisp salad for a complete, heart-conscious meal that doesn’t skimp on indulgence!

Nutriscore Rating: 72/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:50 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 4 pieces boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 cup whole wheat breadcrumbs
• 0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 3 pieces egg whites
• 2 cups unsalted tomato sauce
• 1 cup part-skim mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 0.25 cup fresh basil leaves
• 0.5 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 0.5 teaspoon salt

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to reduce the need for additional oil.

Step 2

Pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness of about 1/2 inch and season both sides with salt and black pepper.

Step 3

In a shallow dish, mix whole wheat breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder.

Step 4

In a separate bowl, lightly whisk the egg whites until they are just frothy.

Step 5

Dip each chicken breast in the egg whites, allowing any excess to drip off, then coat in the breadcrumb mixture, ensuring an even layer.

Step 6

Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add two of the chicken breasts and sear for 2-3 minutes on each side until golden brown. Repeat with the remaining tablespoon of olive oil and two more chicken breasts.

Step 7

Pour 1 cup of the unsalted tomato sauce into a 9x13 inch baking dish and spread to cover the bottom. Place the seared chicken breasts on top of the sauce.

Step 8

Spoon the remaining tomato sauce over the chicken breasts. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella evenly on top.

Step 9

Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Step 10

Garnish with fresh basil leaves before serving.

Step 11

Serve the Chicken Parmesan hot with a side of steamed vegetables or a light salad for a complete, heart-healthy meal.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1583.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2539.5

Total Fat 91.3g	0%
Saturated Fat 32.2g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0g
Cholesterol 691.6mg	0%
Sodium 4108.9mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 127.6g	0%
Dietary Fiber 21.8g	0%
Total Sugars 32.3g
Protein 295.6g	0%

Vitamin D 7.0IU	0%
Calcium 1540.7mg	0%
Iron 20.3mg	0%
Potassium 4163.5mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 32.7%

Protein: 47.0%

Carbs: 20.3%