The Irresistible Chicken Parmesan Recipe Everyone Adores

Crispy chicken parmesan delivers a mouthwatering Italian-inspired comfort that makes dinner feel like a celebration.

Families adore this classic dish for its perfect blend of textures and flavors.

Melted cheese cascades over golden-brown chicken breasts, creating an irresistible canvas of deliciousness.

Marinara sauce adds a tangy punch that cuts through the richness of the breading.

Simple ingredients combine to create something truly magical on your plate.

Layers of parmesan, mozzarella, and herbs promise a meal that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Prepare to fall in love with this restaurant-quality recipe you can easily master at home.

Chicken Parmesan That’s Always A Favorite

• Quick Weeknight Winner: Whips up a restaurant-quality meal in just 30 minutes, perfect for busy families craving delicious comfort food.
• Crowd-Pleasing Flavor Explosion: Combines crispy breaded chicken, tangy marinara sauce, and melted cheese that appeals to both kids and adults, making dinner time a guaranteed success.
• Versatile Meal Maker: Easily adaptable to different dietary preferences by swapping breadcrumbs or using gluten-free alternatives, ensuring everyone can enjoy this classic dish.
• Minimal Ingredient Magic: Requires basic pantry staples and simple cooking techniques, making it accessible for home cooks of all skill levels without compromising on taste or presentation.

Chicken Parmesan Key Ingredients

• Chicken Breasts: Lean protein that serves as the base of the dish, best when fresh and evenly pounded for consistent cooking.

• Breadcrumbs, Grated Parmesan Cheese, All-Purpose Flour: Create a crispy, flavorful exterior that adds texture and depth to the chicken.
• Eggs: Binding agent that helps the coating stick to the chicken, ensuring a uniform and golden-brown crust.

• Garlic Powder, Italian Seasoning, Salt, Pepper: Provide essential flavor and aromatic elements that enhance the overall taste of the dish.

• Marinara Sauce: Classic tomato-based sauce that adds moisture and traditional Italian flavor to the chicken.
• Mozzarella Cheese, Grated Parmesan Cheese: Provide creamy, melty texture and a rich, tangy taste that complements the chicken.

• Olive Oil: Helps in achieving a golden, crisp coating and adds a subtle richness to the dish.
• Fresh Basil Leaves: Offers a fresh, herbal garnish that brightens the final presentation.

Chicken Parmesan Cooking Guide

Step 1: Set Up The Oven

Crank your oven to a toasty 400°F and get ready for some delicious cooking action.

Step 2: Tenderize The Chicken

Grab your chicken breasts and pound them until they’re perfectly even.

Sprinkle with salt and pepper to wake up those flavors.

Step 3: Create Coating Stations

• Flour for the first dip
• Whisked eggs for the second dip
• Breadcrumb mixture with
• Parmesan cheese
• Garlic powder
• Italian seasoning

Step 4: Dress The Chicken

• First, dust with flour
• Next, dive into the egg wash
• Finally, coat with the seasoned breadcrumb mixture

Step 5: Golden Brown Perfection

Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.

Cook chicken until it turns a gorgeous golden brown, about 3-4 minutes on each side.

Transfer the pieces to a baking dish.

Step 6: Add The Saucy Goodness

Spoon marinara sauce generously over each chicken breast.

Sprinkle a beautiful layer of mozzarella and Parmesan cheese on top.

Step 7: Bake To Cheesy Bliss

Pop the baking dish into the oven.

Bake for 15-20 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbling with deliciousness.

Step 8: Finish With Fresh Flair

Garnish with fresh basil leaves right before serving.

Enjoy your restaurant-quality meal at home!

Chicken Parmesan Prep Tips for Crispy and Cheesy Layers

• Use a meat mallet or rolling pin to achieve uniform thickness, ensuring consistent cooking and crispy breading.
• Add extra flavor by mixing herbs directly into the breadcrumb coating for a more vibrant taste profile.
• Maintain medium heat when frying to prevent burning and achieve a golden, crispy exterior without raw interior.
• Let cheese rest for 2-3 minutes after baking to create a perfect, stretchy cheese pull and prevent burning.
• Replace wheat flour with almond flour or gluten-free breadcrumbs to make the dish suitable for those with gluten sensitivities.

Store Chicken Parmesan And Heat To Perfection

• Store leftover chicken parmesan in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Place pieces in a single layer to prevent sogginess.
• Wrap individual portions tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze for maximum 2 months. Label container with date for easy tracking.
• Warm chicken parmesan at 350°F for 10-15 minutes, covering with foil to prevent drying. Add fresh cheese on top for extra melty goodness.
• Heat on medium power in 30-second intervals, checking temperature and texture. Stop heating when chicken reaches 165°F to maintain moisture and prevent rubbery texture.

Flavor Companions for Classic Chicken Parmesan

• Pair with Crisp Sauvignon Blanc: Light, zesty white wine cuts through the richness of the cheesy chicken, balancing the dish's hearty flavors with refreshing citrus notes.
• Serve alongside Garlic Parmesan Roasted Asparagus: Complementary Parmesan flavor enhances the chicken's coating while adding a green vegetable side that matches the recipe's Italian profile.
• Match with Crusty Focaccia Bread: Soft, herbed bread perfect for soaking up extra marinara sauce, providing a delicious textural contrast to the crispy chicken parmesan.
• Create a Fresh Arugula Salad: Peppery greens dressed with lemon vinaigrette cut through the dish's richness, offering a light and bright counterpoint to the cheesy, breaded chicken.

Chicken Parmesan with New Crust or Sauce Styles

• Gluten-Free Chicken Parmesan: Replace wheat flour with almond flour or gluten-free breadcrumbs for those with gluten sensitivities.
• Low-Carb Chicken Coating: Swap breadcrumbs with crushed pork rinds or ground nuts for a lower-carbohydrate alternative.
• Dairy-Free Option: Use nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan cheese and dairy-free mozzarella cheese substitute for lactose-intolerant individuals.
• Vegetable-Crusted Chicken: Add finely grated zucchini or cauliflower to the breadcrumb mixture for extra nutrition and texture.

FAQs

• Why is pounding the chicken important?

Pounding ensures even thickness, which helps the chicken cook uniformly and prevents dry or undercooked spots, resulting in a more tender and juicy chicken.

• Can I use pre-seasoned breadcrumbs?

While you can, making your own mix with Parmesan, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning provides more flavor and control over the seasoning profile.

• How do I know the chicken is fully cooked?

Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C), ensuring the chicken is safe to eat without overcooking.

• What if I don't have a meat thermometer?

Look for clear juices when you cut into the thickest part of the chicken and ensure there’s no pink color, which indicates it’s fully cooked.

Chicken Parmesan Recipe

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4.8 from 40 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Crispy, golden chicken parmesan promises an irresistible Italian-American classic that balances perfectly crunchy breaded chicken with melted mozzarella and tangy marinara sauce. Comfort meets elegance on your plate, inviting you to savor each delectable, herb-infused bite of this timeless culinary delight.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Proteins:

• 2 large chicken breasts, halved lengthwise

Breading and Cheese:

• 1 cup breadcrumbs
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (for topping)
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Wet Ingredients and Seasonings:

• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 2 large eggs, beaten
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 cups marinara sauce
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• Salt to taste
• Pepper to taste
• Fresh basil leaves for garnish

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Instructions

1. Warm the oven to a toasty 400°F (200°C), preparing a crisp cooking environment.
2. Transform chicken breasts into uniform thickness with precise mallet strikes, then enhance with delicate salt and pepper seasoning.
3. Construct three distinct preparation zones: a flour station, a whisked egg bath, and a seasoned breadcrumb terrain enriched with Parmesan, aromatic garlic powder, and zesty Italian herbs.
4. Navigate each chicken piece through a strategic coating journey – first dusting with flour, then bathing in egg, and finally enrobing in the herbed breadcrumb mixture.
5. Activate a skillet with olive oil over moderate heat, creating a golden-brown canvas for the chicken. Sear each piece until a crisp exterior develops, approximately 3-4 minutes per side, then gracefully transfer to a waiting baking dish.
6. Cascade marinara sauce across the chicken landscape, followed by a generous snowfall of mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
7. Nestle the prepared dish into the preheated oven, allowing 15-20 minutes for cheese to melt into a bubbling, appetizing blanket.
8. Elevate the presentation by scattering fresh basil leaves as a vibrant, aromatic finishing touch before serving.

Notes

• Ensure chicken is evenly pounded to guarantee consistent cooking and prevent dry edges.
• Use panko breadcrumbs for extra crispiness and a lighter, more delicate coating.
• For gluten-free version, swap regular flour with almond flour or gluten-free breadcrumbs.
• Pat chicken dry before seasoning to help breading adhere perfectly and create a crunchier exterior.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 550
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 25 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 45 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 40 g
• Cholesterol: 180 mg