Easy Crispy Panko Chicken

Crispy panko chicken on a white plate sliced into pieces with a little dish of ketchup on the plate.

Looking for a weeknight dinner the whole family will love? This Easy Crispy Panko Chicken is baked (not fried!), ultra crunchy, and comes together with just a few pantry staples. It’s perfect for meal prep, kid-approved, and pairs well with almost anything.

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Diet Low Calorie

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 25

Total Time 30

Servings people

Calories 369kcal

Author Jillian Schneider

Ingredients

½ cup panko bread crumbs
2 lbs. chicken fat trimmed off and cut into strips
1 egg whisked
salt to taste
ground black pepper to taste
1 tbsp garlic powder
¼ cup parmesan cheese grated

Instructions

Step 1 - Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and line a baking pan with parchment paper. Season chicken with salt and pepper on both sides. Set up your assembly station with 1 shallow bowl with the whisked egg and another with the panko, parmesan cheese, and garlic powder.
Step 2 - Begin by dipping your chicken in the egg first, shaking off any excess yolk.
Step 3 - Then dip your chicken into the panko mixture.
Step 4 - Line your chicken on the parchment paper without crowding the pan. If you need to use more than one pan, do so. Bake for 20 - 25 minutes or until the internal temperature of your chicken reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
Step 5 - Remove from oven and turn on the broiler. Broil for 2 - 3 minutes until super crispy on top. Keep a close eye on the chicken to make sure it doesn't burn. Remove the oven and serve it with your favorite side dish.

Notes

Top Tip!

For an even greater crispness, use a wire rack on your sheet pan to allow airflow. Lightly toast the panko in a skillet before breading, and don’t overcrowd the pan; spacing is key!

Can you use chicken thighs?

Yes! Boneless, skinless thighs work great — just adjust the cook time by 5–7 minutes longer.

Can you air fry panko chicken?

Absolutely, air fry at 400 degrees for 20 minutes, flipping halfway through or follow this recipe. Air Fryer Chicken Cutlets!

How to store panko chicken.

Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.

How can the kids help?

Measure ingredients and pour them into the bowls.
Help crack eggs: With some practice, they’ll enjoy cracking eggs into a bowl for the dredging station.
Set up the dredging station: Let them help line up bowls for flour, egg, and panko
Bread the chicken: With clean hands and instruction on food safety, they can handle the full dredge process.

Nutrition