- Marinate the Chicken:
- In a large bowl, mix together the olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, dried thyme, dried rosemary, salt, and black pepper.
- Add the chicken breasts to the bowl and coat them thoroughly with the marinade. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, but preferably overnight for the best flavor.
- Prepare the Garlic Parmesan Crust:
- In a medium bowl, mix together the grated Parmesan cheese, Panko breadcrumbs, melted butter, minced garlic, chopped parsley, dried Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Set aside.
- Cook the Chicken:
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Heat a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add a little olive oil to the skillet.
- Remove the chicken breasts from the marinade and shake off any excess. Sear the chicken breasts in the hot skillet for 2-3 minutes on each side until golden brown.
- Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Make the Cheese Sauce:
- While the chicken is baking, prepare the cheese sauce. In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
- Add the minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant.
- Pour in the heavy cream and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat to low and stir in the grated Parmesan cheese, shredded provolone, and shredded mozzarella. Stir continuously until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste. Keep the sauce warm over low heat, stirring occasionally.
- Top the Chicken with the Crust:
- Once the chicken is cooked, remove the skillet from the oven. Spread a generous amount of the cheese sauce over each chicken breast.
- Sprinkle the garlic Parmesan crust mixture evenly over the cheese sauce.
- Broil the Chicken:
- Turn on the broiler in your oven. Place the skillet under the broiler for 2-3 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and crispy. Keep a close eye on it to prevent burning.
- Serve:
- Remove the skillet from the oven and let the chicken rest for a few minutes before serving.
- Serve the garlic Parmesan crusted chicken with your favorite sides, such as mashed potatoes, steamed vegetables, or a fresh salad.
Tips:
- Marinade Time: For the best flavor, marinate the chicken overnight.
- Cheese Sauce: If the cheese sauce thickens too much, you can thin it out with a little more heavy cream or milk.
- Crust: The Panko breadcrumbs give the crust a nice crunch, but you can use regular breadcrumbs if you prefer.
This recipe brings the restaurant-quality dish right to your kitchen, complete with the rich, cheesy crust and savory, juicy chicken. Enjoy this delicious meal with family and friends!