Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Prep your baking sheet with parchment paper and a light spray of cooking oil. No sticking, no stress.
Mix your crunchy coating. In a shallow bowl, combine Parmesan, panko, garlic powder, paprika, salt, pepper, and Italian herbs. Stir until it looks like cheesy snow—delicious snow.
Prep the chicken. Pat your chicken breasts dry (key for crispiness!) and drizzle them lightly with olive oil. Coat each piece evenly so the crust will stick.
Coat your chicken. Press the chicken into the Parmesan-panko mix, making sure each side is well covered. Don’t be shy—this is the crunchy layer dreams are made of.
Bake. Place the chicken on your prepared sheet and bake for 20–25 minutes, depending on thickness. Tip: check the internal temp—it should reach 165°F (74°C).
Optional crisp finish. For extra crunch, broil for 2–3 minutes at the end. Watch closely—it can burn fast!
Rest & serve. Let the chicken rest 5 minutes before slicing so it stays juicy inside.