This Low Carb Chicken Parmesan recipe is so delicious that you won't miss the crispy crusted chicken in the traditional recipe. It's a healthier version with tender and juicy Italian seasoned chicken, basil marinara and melty parmesan and mozzarella cheese. The super easy recipe takes only about 20 minutes to make.
Recipe review
A quick look at this recipe
- Recipe Name: Healthy Low Carb Chicken Parmesan
- Ready In: 10 minutes prep, 15 minutes cook time, 20 minutes total time
- Serves: 4
- Calories: 261 per serving
- Main Ingredients: Boneless chicken cutlets, Italian seasoning, marinara sauce, Parmesan cheese, mozzarella cheese
- Difficulty: Easy
After cooking for my personal chef clients, this quick and delicious chicken parmesan recipe is just what I need. I make this dinner when craving a lightened up version of traditional crispy breaded chicken parmesan.
With all its melty cheese, tomatoey and juicy chicken breast goodness, I don't even miss the crispy breaded chicken breast. This low carb chicken recipe is packed with so much flavor! If you're on a keto diet, this is the chicken recipe for you.
And as an added bonus, the easy recipe is ready in about 20 minutes.
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What's to love about this healthy chicken parmesan recipe
- Quick to make. This recipe is ready in about 20 minutes. With just a few steps, the prep, cooking and cleanup are done in no time at all.
- The recipe includes only a few ingredients. The dish includes a handful of ordinary ingredients. But when they are combined, the easy and healthy chicken dinner is amazing!
- Everyone loves it! Italian food is always a favorite. And chicken parm is one dish that even the pickiest of eaters love. The whole family will ask for it over and over.
Ingredients & substitutions
Gather just a handful of ingredients to make this no breaded chicken chicken parmesan. Scroll down to the printable recipe card for the full quantities of the ingredients.
- boneless skinless chicken breast - I slice chicken breasts into thin cutlets that cook quickly. Boneless, skinless chicken thighs or chicken tenderloins are great substitutes.
- Italian herb blend - Grab a bottle of this versatile Italian seasoning. Or combine ½ teaspoon each of dried basil, oregano, rosemary, thyme and marjoram for a homemade version.
- garlic powder
- kosher salt
- black pepper
- olive oil
- salted butter
- grated parmesan cheese - Finely shredded parmesan cheese is tasty in this recipe too.
- marinara sauce - I always have a batch of my homemade fresh basil marinara on hand. But they're many delicious ones to purchase too.
- shredded mozzarella cheese - Freshly shredded cheese melts the best. In a pinch, pre shredded store bought cheese can be used.
- fresh basil - Nothing compares to the sweet, pungent and slightly peppery taste of fresh basil. A sprinkle of dried basil is a substitute when the fresh herb isn't available. Fresh parsley is an alternative too.
How to make low carb chicken parmesan
This really is one of the easiest recipes. And the good news is that with just a few steps and about 20 minutes of time, you'll be enjoying a delicious dinner.
Step 1: Start off be preheating the oven and prepping the chicken. Season both sides of thin chicken cutlets with the Italian herb blend, garlic powder, kosher salt and black pepper.
Step 2: Sauté the seasoned chicken in a large skillet. Use a combination of olive oil and salted butter. It only takes about 2 to 3 minutes per side. The chicken should be golden brown and cooked through. Place the chicken on a rimmed baking sheet.
Step 3: Sprinkle the chicken with the grated parmesan cheese. Top with some of the marinara sauce. Next add a generous sprinkle of shredded mozzarella cheese.
Step 4: Pop the chicken into the oven. Bake until the cheese is melted.
Step 5: Remove the chicken parmesan from the oven. Sprinkle with more grated parmesan cheese and thinly sliced fresh basil.
Amy's expert tips
- Use a sharp knife to horizontally slice boneless skinless chicken breasts into thin cutlets. They'll cook in no time at all and stay tender and juicy.
- Make a batch of Italian dried spice seasoning. It's great to have on hand to add to Spinach and Sausage Lasagna, Sicilian meatballs, or Stuffed Shells with Sausage. Combine 1 tablespoon each of dried basil, oregano, thyme, rosemary and marjoram. Store in an airtight container.
- Grate or shred your own cheeses as it melts better than the pre grated or shredded ones. The packaged cheeses have an added anti-caking ingredient that makes the cheeses stringy when melted.
- Line the baking sheet with parchment paper or foil for easy cleanup.
What to serve with chicken parmesan
There are so many tasty options to serve alongside parmesan chicken. Simple sides of garlic broccoli or steamed asparagus are low effort dishes. Sauteed zucchini noodles or roasted spaghetti squash are some healthy options too.
I love to serve the chicken over a bowl of my Parmesan Buttered Noodles or this tasty Cauliflower Rice Pilaf.
A simple tossed salad with mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, black olives, slivered red onions, shredded carrots and a red wine vinaigrette is a classic side dish for chicken parmesan.
FAQs about low carb chicken parm
You can get all the delicious flavor of traditional chicken parmesan even without breading and frying the chicken. Season boneless and skinless chicken breasts with Italian seasoning. Sauté the chicken and then top with marinara sauce and parmesan and mozzarella cheeses. Bake until the cheese is a melty goodness and enjoy.
Yes! The recipe doesn't include any ingredients with gluten so it's gluten free.
If you're following a low-carb and keto diet, this recipe is one you can enjoy.
One more thing
Did you try this recipe?
Let me know by leaving a comment and a star rating below. Share it on Pinterest, Instagram and Facebook.
Thanks ~ Amy
Recipe
Healthy Low Carb Chicken Parmesan
Ingredients
- 8 (3 ounce) boneless skinless chicken breast cutlets
- 2 teaspoons Italian herb blend
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon salted butter
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 ½ cups homemade marinara or a store bought brand
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 6 - 8 leaves of fresh basil thinly sliced
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.
- Season chicken on both sides with the Italian herb blend, garlic powder, kosher salt and black pepper.
- Heat a large sauté pan over medium heat. Add the olive oil and salted butter. When the oil and butter are shimmering, cook the chicken in batches. Add the seasoned chicken cutlets to the pan. Sauté for 2 to 3 minutes per side. The chicken should be golden brown and cooked through. Place the chicken on a rimmed baking sheet.
- Sprinkle the cooked chicken with the grated parmesan cheese. Top with about 2 to 3 tablespoons of marinara sauce. Generously sprinkle with the shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Bake for about 6 to 8 minutes or until the cheese is melted.
- Remove from the oven sprinkle with more grated parmesan cheese and the fresh basil.
- Serve.
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Nutrition
Jennifer Rippey says
Love this healthier version of our family favorite Chicken Parmesan- quick easy and delicious! Genius idea - wish I knew about it sooner!
Amy Casey says
I'm so glad your family enjoys my recipe Jennifer! Quick and easy dinners like this one are such lifesavers on busy days.
Paula says
My husband is on a low carb diet (not Keto or Atkins etc) so I was searching online for a low carb version of chicken parm. After looking at several recipes I decided on this one. Glad I did!! When I told my husband dinner was ready he said " Already??"
I will be looking through your website for more delicious recipes.
Amy Casey says
I'm so glad you and your husband enjoyed my recipe Paula! I'm a big fan of easy and quick to make recipes that don't taste like they are easy to make.
Mindy says
This was AMAZING! So tasty and juicy and best of all, EASY! Definitely a regular in our home going forward.
Amy Casey says
That's awesome Mindy! I'm so glad you enjoyed the recipe.
Enri Lemoine says
My son, who's the chicken expert in my house, said this is the best chicken Parmesana ever!
Amy Casey says
WOW! That's fabulous! I'm so glad your son enjoyed my chicken parm recipe.
Madelyn says
Quick and easy, which was perfect for a busy night. We didn't miss the breading at all because it's so messy and adds too much time when you're in a rush. This was a great alternative.
Amy Casey says
I love this one busy nights too Madelyn!
Kristina says
This was a great recipe for non-breaded chicken parmesan. I served it over simple mashed cauliflower for a full dinner for a growing family and they loved it.
Amy Casey says
Oooooooh! I love that you served the chicken over mashed cauliflower. That's a favorite in our house.
Dennis says
Thanks so much for the inspiration, I made your low-carb chicken parm using your recipe, but grilled the chicken and it was outstanding!!
Amy Casey says
Great idea Dennis! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Amy Liu Dong says
Oh my gosh, seeing this dish is making me hungry. It is so delicious and looks easy to make!
Amy Casey says
Thanks Amy! It is so easy to make, but big on flavor.
Jamie says
Oh my, another chicken dish and it looks amazingly delicious and very appealing! Its overload with cheese makes this an instant hit! Plus we can have this dish on the table for only 20 minutes! A big thumps up!
Amy Casey says
Thanks Jamie! So glad my recipe was a hit at your home.
Sharon says
I love this low-carb version of one of my favorite meals, chicken parmesan! So cheesy, easy, and delicious.
Amy Casey says
I'm all about recipes with lots of flavor that are easy to make.
Mikayla says
Delicious meal main dish and you would never know it was low carb. I'll share this with my dad since he eats low carb meals all the time.
Amy Casey says
I hope your dad enjoys the recipe. My low carb clients love this one.