Crispy Parmesan Chicken with Garlic Scallion Couscous and Lemony Roasted Carrots

This crispy Parmesan chicken is anything but ordinary. Chicken cutlets are topped with a golden breadcrumb mixture of panko, Parmesan, and smoked paprika, then baked until perfectly crunchy. The same sheet pan holds lemony roasted carrots, making cleanup a breeze.

While the chicken and carrots roast, you’ll cook pearl couscous and toss it with garlic butter and scallions. It’s a satisfying, flavor-packed meal that comes together with minimal effort—perfect for a busy weeknight.

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Ingredients

12 ounce CarrotsView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

2 unit ScallionsView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 unit LemonView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

0.25 cup Panko BreadcrumbsView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

0.25 cup Parmesan CheeseView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 teaspoon Hot Smoked PaprikaView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

10 ounce Chicken CutletsView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

2 tablespoon Sour CreamView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

2.5 ounce Israeli CouscousView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 clove GarlicView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

4 teaspoon Olive OilView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

SaltView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

PepperView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

2 tablespoon ButterView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 425°F. Bring a medium pot of salted water to a boil. Wash and dry produce. Trim, peel, and halve carrots lengthwise; cut crosswise into 2-inch pieces. Trim and thinly slice scallions, separating whites from greens. Peel and mince garlic. Zest and quarter lemon.
2. In a small bowl, combine panko, Parmesan, paprika, a drizzle of olive oil, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Pat chicken dry; season all over with salt and pepper. Place chicken on one side of a baking sheet. Spread tops with sour cream. Mound with panko mixture, pressing to adhere (no need to coat undersides).
3. Toss carrots on the other side of the sheet with a drizzle of olive oil, salt, and pepper. Roast on middle rack until chicken is cooked through and carrots are browned and tender, 15-20 minutes. (For 4 servings, use two sheets; roast chicken on middle rack, carrots on top rack.) Transfer chicken to a plate to rest. If carrots finish early, remove them and continue roasting chicken.
4. While chicken and carrots roast, add couscous to boiling water. Cook until tender, 6-8 minutes. Drain thoroughly. In the same pot, melt 2 tbsp butter over medium heat. Add scallion whites and garlic; cook until softened, 1 minute. Return couscous to pot and stir to coat. Season with salt and pepper.
5. Once carrots are done, toss with lemon zest and a squeeze of lemon juice to taste.
6. Divide chicken, carrots, and couscous among plates. Garnish chicken with scallion greens. Serve with remaining lemon wedges.

Useful Cookware

A few helpful kitchen tools for this recipe, with relevant Amazon picks for each item.

Medium pot

Cuisinart 1.5 Quart Sauce Pan with Cover, Stainless Steel Pot with Lid, Small Kitchen Pots, Dishwasher Safe, Compatible with Induction, Electric, Gas Cooktops, Oven Safe Saucepan, Cool Grip HandlesView on AmazonSENSARTE Nonstick Saucepan with Lid, 1.5 Quarts Small Pot with Swiss Granite Coating, Stay-cool Handle, Multipurpose Handy Sauce Pot Small Kitchen Cooking Pot, Induction Comptable, PFOA FreeView on AmazonCAROTE 8QT Full Clad Tri Ply Stainless Steel Stock Pot with Lid, Kitchen Soup Pot, All Stoves Compatible, Oven & Dishwasher Safe, Stay Cool Handle, White, Mothers Day GiftsView on Amazon

Zester

Deiss PRO Lemon Zester & Heavy Duty Cheese Grater & Vegetable Grater - Parmesan Cheese Lemon, Garlic, Nutmeg, Chocolate, Fruits, Vegetables, Ginger Grater - Cheese Shredder & Stainless Steel GraterView on AmazonMicroplane Premium Classic Series Zester 18/8, Black - Lemon Zester & Cheese Grater & Vegetable Grater - Citrus, Parmesan Cheese, Garlic, Ginger, Nutmeg, Chocolate - Stainless Steel GraterView on AmazonOXO Good Grips Etched Zester and GraterView on Amazon

Peeler

OXO Good Grips Swivel PeelerView on AmazonSpring Chef Premium Swivel Vegetable Peeler, Soft Grip Handle and Ultra Sharp Stainless Steel Blades - Perfect Kitchen Peeler For Veggie, Fruit, Potato, Carrot, Apple - BlackView on AmazonFUHUY Vegetable, Apple Peelers for kitchen, Fruit, Carrot, Veggie, Potatoes Peeler, Y-Shaped and I-Shaped Stainless Steel Peelers, with Ergonomic Non-Slip Handle & Sharp Blade, Good Sturdy (2PCS)View on Amazon

Paper towels

Scott Paper Towels, Choose-A-Sheet, 6 Double Rolls = 12 Regular Rolls (108 Sheets Per Roll)View on AmazonAmazon Basics 2-Ply Flex-Sheets Paper Towels, 12 Basics Rolls = 40 Regular Rolls, Everyday Value with 150 Sheets per Roll, Packaging May VaryView on AmazonBounty Quick-Size Paper Towels, White, 8 Family Triple Rolls = 27 Regular RollsView on Amazon

Small bowl

Kaytee Stoneware Ceramic Pet Hamster Bowl, Brown, 3-InchView on AmazonDipping Bowls, Soy Sauce Dish Ceramic, 3 OZ Small Serving Bowls for Side Dishes Vintage Blue Stylish Design, Set of 6 Mini Appetizer Plates for Condiment Sushi Ketchup BBQ Party, 4 InchView on AmazonFarielyn-X 3.5in 4oz Small Glass Bowls, Mini Glass Containers, Ramekins, Prep, Pinch Bowl, Stackable Condiment Containers, for Prep, Dips, Nuts, Snacks, Candy Meal Prep Bowls, Dessert BowlsView on Amazon

Baking sheet

GoodCook Everyday Nonstick Baking Sheet Set, 3 Pack Includes Small (13×9) Medium (15×1) and Large (17×11) Pans Carbon Steel Construction Cookie Sheets Bakeware Set, GrayView on AmazonNutriChef 3-Piece Nonstick Kitchen Oven Baking Pans - Premium & Stylish Non-Stick Steel, Commercial Grade Restaurant Quality Metal Bakeware with Red Silicone Handles - Easy to Clean, NCSBS3SView on AmazonNordic Ware Naturals Half Sheet - USA Made Aluminum Commercial Quality Sheet Pan for Baking or Roasting, Encapsulated Galvanized Steel Rim Prevents Warping, 2-PackView on Amazon

Strainer

Cuisinart, Mesh Strainers, Stainless Steel Mesh Strainers for Kitchen, Fine Mesh Kitchen Strainer Set for Sifting, Straining and Cooking, Ctg-00-3Ms, 3 CountView on Amazon3Pcs Super Wire Extra Fine Mesh Strainer with Handle, Small Medium Large Size Sifter Metal Strainer Set, Stainless Steel Sieve Fine Mesh Strainers for Kitchen Rice Juice Quinoa Food Flour Baking YLYLView on AmazonWinco Strainer with Single Fine Mesh, 8-Inch Diameter, Medium, Stainless Steel, Tan,SilverView on Amazon

Recipe Tips

FAQ

Can I use regular breadcrumbs instead of panko?

Yes, but panko gives a lighter, crunchier texture. If using regular breadcrumbs, the coating may be denser.

Can I substitute the Israeli couscous?

You can use regular couscous or orzo, but adjust cooking time according to package directions.

How do I know when the chicken is done?

The chicken is cooked through when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and the coating is golden brown.