Spicy Parmesan Chicken Thighs

Name: Spicy Parmesan Chicken Thighs
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 50 min
Ingredients: 2 tsp. garlic powder; 2 tsp. chili powder; 1/2 tsp. sea salt; 1 tsp. ground cumin; 1 tsp. paprika; 1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper; 8 boneless, skinless chicken thighs (well-trimmed); 1 cup Parmesan cheese (in a can)

July 5, 2023Teresa Ambra

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Gluten Free Living – 2023

Spicy Parmesan Chicken Thighs are a delicious, low calorie and healthy option for week-night dinners. The chicken thighs are baked rather than fried. The coating is made from Parmesan cheese (in a can) and several spices including cumin, chili powder, paprika and a little cayenne pepper. Even still, this recipe is only mildly spicy since the Parmesan cheese mellows out the flavors a good deal.

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I’ve had a bunch of meat in my freezers that really needed to be cooked up. I pulled out a couple of packs of chicken thighs and decided to make this recipe with one of them. I’ve used the coating on other chicken recipes before and really liked it. I added the Parmesan cheese so it has some body. This is sort of like those “Shake-and-Bake” recipes so popular in the 90s and 2000s, except healthy ingredients are used instead.

This simple and easy recipe requires very little work. You combine the spices and Parmesan cheese. Then dredge the chicken thighs several times in the coating. I usually pat the coating into the chicken thighs so it adheres better. Then the chicken is placed in a baking dish. I like to sprinkle any extra, leftover coating on top before baking. Boneless chicken thighs usually take about 45-50 minutes to bake through. But really thick cuts may take closer to an hour.

Spicy Parmesan Chicken Thighs are tasty and so easy. Almost any side will work with this fantastic dish. Add vegetables or salad, or if you’re a “meat and potatoes” kind of guy or gal, toss in some Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Alfredo Potatoes or Cheese Potatoes. Prepare yourself for a delightful meal where you’re going to want seconds. 🙂

Spicy Parmesan Chicken Thighs are great for week-night dinners.

This is so easy to whip up. The casserole can be oven-ready in five minutes!

Spicy Parmesan Chicken Thighs are baked rather than fried. The recipe uses NO oil so you don’t get extra calories.

Here’s what I did.

I used these ingredients.

Place Parmesan cheese on a plate. Add spices.

Stir ingredients with a fork, very well, to combine.

Dredge trimmed chicken thighs in coating mixture.

I usually do this several times on each side, patting the mixture into the chicken with my finger tips.

Spray a 9×13″ glass baking dish with olive oil cooking spray. Place chicken thighs in the baking dish. Sprinkle the tops with extra Parmesan cheese mixture, if desired.

Bake at 350 degrees for about 45-50 minutes, or until chicken tests done.

The coating on this chicken recipe is delicious.

Serve Spicy Parmesan Chicken Thighs with your favorite side dishes.

I used boneless, skinless chicken thighs, but you can also use bone-in thighs, if desired.

Here’s the recipe.

SPICY PARMESAN CHICKEN THIGHS

(My own concoction)

Spicy Parmesan Chicken Thighs

Teresa Ambra

Spicy Parmesan Chicken Thighs are healthy, low calorie and delicious! This delectable chicken entree can be oven-ready in five minutes. The Parmesan cheese mellows the spices out so they are not overwhelming. It's great for a week-night dinner and is wonderful with almost any kind of side dish. Even your kids will enjoy this savory and sumptuous chicken dish.

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Prep Time 5

Cook Time 45

Total Time 50

Course Chicken, Main Dish

Cuisine American

Servings

Calories 199 kcal

Equipment

1 9×13" glass baking dish
1 plate
1 fork
1 spatula
measuring cups
measuring spoons

Ingredients

2 tsp. garlic powder
2 tsp. chili powder
1/2 tsp. sea salt
1 tsp. ground cumin
1 tsp. paprika
1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
8 boneless, skinless chicken thighs well-trimmed
1 cup Parmesan cheese in a can

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°.
Trim off any fat from the chicken fillets; discard.
Spoon the garlic powder, chili powder, salt, cumin, paprika, and cayenne pepper onto a large plate.
Add Parmesan cheese.
Stir ingredients well to combine.
Dredge chicken thighs in cheese mixture until well-coated.
(I usually coat both sides of the chicken three or four times, and pat the crumb mixture into the chicken pieces with my finger tips so the coating adheres better).
Place seasoned chicken thighs in a 9×13” glass baking dish sprayed with cooking spray.
Sprinkle any excess coating over top of the chicken fillets.
Bake, uncovered, for 45-50 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 165 degrees.

Notes

NOTE: This is enough coating for about 12 skinless, boneless chicken thighs.

Nutrition

Calories: 199kcalCarbohydrates: 4gProtein: 26gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.02gCholesterol: 118mgSodium: 461mgPotassium: 367mgFiber: 1gSugar: 0.2gVitamin A: 876IUVitamin C: 0.2mgCalcium: 133mgIron: 2mg

Keyword chicken, main dish, parmesan cheese

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Every bite is savory and sumptuous.

This healthy, clean-eating recipe is a fantastic way to enjoy chicken without frying!

Spicy Parmesan Chicken Thighs is not overly spicy, since the Parmesan cheese mellows out the spices somewhat. But if you want the chicken really spicy, increase the spices to your preferred taste.