Oven-fried Parmesan Chicken

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and position the rack in the upper third.

Combine the dry breadcrumbs, freshly grated Parmesan cheese, paprika, garlic salt, black pepper, and chopped parsley in a shallow bowl and mix thoroughly.

Place the 4 tablespoons of butter or margarine in a 9x13-inch baking dish and set it in the preheating oven until the butter is melted, about 2-3 minutes.

Pat the chicken pieces dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture, which helps the coating adhere better.

Working with one piece at a time, coat each chicken piece in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to ensure the coating adheres, then place it in the baking dish with the melted butter.

Arrange the coated chicken pieces skin-side up in a single layer, ensuring they do not overlap.

Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, until the coating is golden brown and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the chicken (without touching bone) reads 165°F (74°C).

Remove the baking dish from the oven and let the chicken rest for 2-3 minutes before serving.