Description
Chicken Parmesan is a classic Italian-American comfort dish featuring tender, thinly pounded chicken breasts breaded and pan-fried to a crispy golden crust, topped with rich marinara sauce, melted mozzarella, and savory Parmesan cheese. This versatile and family-friendly recipe offers simple ingredients and straightforward steps, perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions, with options for baking or frying and customizable variations to suit different tastes and dietary needs.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, pounded to 1/2 inch thickness
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Breading
- 1 cup Italian-seasoned breadcrumbs or panko (gluten-free options available)
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 large eggs, beaten
Sauce & Cheese
- 1 1/2 cups marinara sauce, warmed
- 1 1/2 cups shredded fresh mozzarella cheese
- Additional grated Parmesan cheese for topping
Other
- 2–3 tablespoons olive oil, for frying
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Fresh basil and oregano (optional, for seasoning and garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken: Trim any excess fat from the chicken breasts and pound them evenly to about 1/2 inch thickness to ensure uniform cooking and tenderness. Lightly season both sides with salt and pepper.
- Bread the chicken: Set up a breading station with a bowl of beaten eggs and a separate bowl containing the seasoned breadcrumbs mixed with grated Parmesan cheese. Dip each chicken breast first into the eggs, then coat thoroughly with the breadcrumb mixture, pressing slightly to adhere.
- Pan-fry the chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the breaded chicken breasts and cook for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown and crispy, ensuring the chicken is cooked through without drying out.
- Add sauce and cheese: Transfer the fried chicken pieces to a baking dish. Spoon warm marinara sauce over each piece, then layer generously with shredded mozzarella and sprinkle with extra Parmesan cheese.
- Bake to perfection: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the assembled dish for 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden on top.
Notes
- Pound chicken breasts evenly for tender, consistent cooking.
- Use fresh mozzarella cheese for creamier melting and better texture.
- Fry chicken in batches to avoid overcrowding and maintain crispiness.
- Warm marinara sauce slightly before adding to keep chicken crust crispy underneath.
- Allow the Chicken Parmesan to rest a few minutes after baking to retain juiciness.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with sauce and cheese
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 45 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg
Keywords: Chicken Parmesan, Chicken Parmigiana, Italian comfort food, breaded chicken, baked chicken, family dinner, easy Italian recipe
