Healthy Chicken Parmesan

A lighter option to the classic, our Healthy Chicken Parmesan features seared chicken breasts topped with chunky vegetable marinara sauce. Warm and comforting while cutting calories, all without sacrificing flavor!

We are back on a little health kick around here, and we are trying to lose a little (maybe more than a little) weight this recipe definitely ties into our new menu options. Healthy Chicken Parmesan is a fantastic alternative to the fried version we love.

I guess it is not the healthiest, but it’s on the right track, and I’m not trying to deprive ourselves, either. 

My Mom was actually super impressed with it and immediately asked for the recipe, so you know it’s good!

This “skinny” version of chicken Parmesan is loaded with veggies, yet with a flavor profile that is familiar, this version will still leave you feeling satisfied.

The best part about this recipe is you can customize it to your taste and use any vegetables you want.

We keep it simple with zucchini, tomatoes, carrots, and garlic. But it is so easy to switch it up, that is one thing I love about this recipe.

If you are looking for an alternative to the classic fried version, then you must try our Healthy Chicken Parmesan this week.

Some of our other favorite chicken recipes we have on our site include: Whole Roasted Chicken, Chicken with Mushrooms, and Beer Can Chicken.

WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS:

1. Ready in about 60 minutes!
2. A delicious alternative to fried chicken parmesan but still extremely flavorful.
3. Swap out different vegetables to make it your own.

INGREDIENTS NEEDED (FULL RECIPE BELOW):

• Thin-sliced Chicken Breasts
• Onion Powder
• Garlic Powder
• Dried Oregano
• Kosher salt
• Black pepper
• Provolone Cheese 
• Olive oil
• Zucchini
• Carrot
• Grape Tomatoes
• Tomato sauce
• Tomato paste
• Roasted Garlic, or fresh garlic
• Dry Red Wine
• Grated Parmesan Cheese

HOW TO MAKE HEALTHY CHICKEN PARMESAN:

1. Preheat oven to 350*F. 
2. For the sauce, place a medium-sized saucepot over medium-high heat and add the olive oil. Once hot, add the zucchini, carrot, and tomatoes and get a nice sear on them for about 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
3. Add the tomato sauce, tomato paste, roasted garlic (or fresh garlic), red wine, parmesan cheese, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper, and mix to combine. Bring to a simmer, lower the heat to medium-low, and simmer uncovered for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. 
4. While the sauce is simmering, season chicken breasts with onion powder, garlic powder, oregano, salt, and pepper on both sides, and set aside.
5. Place a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat and add the olive oil. Once hot, place the chicken breasts into the hot pan and sear for 3 minutes or until they form a golden-brown crust on the bottom.
6. Turn the chicken over and place the pan in the preheated oven. Cook through to an internal temperature of 165*F, about 10 minutes.
7. Once the chicken is cooked through, top each breast with 1/2 cup of the sauce and a slice of cheese. 
8. Place the pan back in the oven and let the cheese melt and brown for about 5-10 more minutes. If you want to speed up this process, you can turn on the broiler and do it that way but keep an eye on it, or it will burn very fast! Serve this with your favorite pasta or your favorite sides.

WHAT OTHER VEGETABLES CAN I USE?

So many options to add more or switch out veggies you like. I suggest:

• Bell Peppers
• Onions
• Summer Squash
• Green Beans
• Mushrooms
• Spinach
• Kale
• Broccoli
• Cauliflower
• Peas

ARE THERE ANY OTHER SUBSTITUTES?

Yes, there are other subs!

In place of thin sliced chicken breasts:

1. Chicken tenderloins
2. Boneless, skinless chicken thighs
3. Thinly sliced turkey breast

Other than provolone, you can use:

1. Shredded mozzarella
2. Fresh sliced mozzarella

IS CHICKEN PARMESAN HEALTHY FOR YOU?

Normally chicken parmesan is not healthy. It is battered and fried, topped with tomato sauce and lots of melty cheese.

Our version is pan-seared in a little olive oil, topped with a marinara sauce loaded with veggies, with one slice of cheese on top. So, I believe our version is a healthier alternative to the traditional.

HOW TO STORE:

Store leftovers in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 5 days. 

To reheat, you can cover with foil and bake until warmed through or in the microwave.

Freeze for up to 3 months. Place leftovers in the freezer in a freezer-safe container. To thaw, place the dish in the fridge overnight and then reheat before serving.

TIPS AND TRICKS:

• This makes 4 servings, but you can easily double it to feed more or halve the recipe as needed.
• Tons of custom options, see my tips above on that.
• Serve over pasta, or with steamed vegetables to be an even healthier option.
• This reheats and freezes well, see my tips above on how to store.
• Use chicken tenderloins, boneless skinless chicken thighs, or thinly sliced turkey breast in place of chicken breast.

Looking for that perfect alternative to your favorite Italian dish? Try out our Healthy Chicken Parmesan and skip the fried version!

If you like this recipe, you might also like:

• Chick-Fil-A Grilled Chicken Club Sandwich
• Garlic Parmesan Chicken Thighs
• Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Sandwiches
• Chicken Parmesan Casserole
• Chicken Cacciatore Recipe
• Easy Baked Chicken Parmesan

If you’ve tried this HEALTHY CHICKEN PARMESAN, let me know how it turned out in the comments! You can follow me over on PINTEREST, INSTAGRAM OR FACEBOOK to find some more of our mouthwatering recipes! 

Originally posted April 2013

Updated on February 2023