Description
Chicken Parmesan delivers pure comfort straight from an Italian-American kitchen, bringing together crispy breaded chicken, rich marinara, and melted cheese that make your dinner table feel like home. Baked until golden and served with a side of pasta, this dish turns an ordinary meal into a memorable family favorite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Proteins:
- 4 boneless chicken breast halves
Secondary Starches and Coating:
- 1 cup panko bread crumbs
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs
Cheeses and Sauce:
- ¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup grated provolone cheese
- ¼ cup fresh mozzarella
- ½ cup prepared tomato sauce
Herbs, Oils, and Seasonings:
- ½ cup olive oil for frying
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- ¼ cup chopped fresh basil
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to a sizzling 450°F, preparing your cooking surface for delicious transformation.
- Place each chicken breast between plastic wrap, then pound to an even ½-inch thickness using a meat mallet.
- Season both sides of the chicken with ½ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon black pepper.
- Dust each chicken breast with ½ tablespoon all-purpose flour, coating both sides evenly.
- Crack 2 large eggs into a shallow bowl and whisk until completely blended.
- Combine 1 cup panko bread crumbs with ½ cup Parmesan cheese in a separate dish.
- Dunk each floured chicken breast into the egg mixture, allowing excess to drip off.
- Press the egg-coated chicken into the bread crumb mixture, ensuring complete coverage.
- Let the breaded chicken rest for 10 minutes to help the coating adhere.
- Heat ½ cup olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until it reaches 350°F.
- Carefully place chicken into hot oil, cooking 2 minutes per side until golden brown.
- Transfer chicken to a baking dish, spreading 2 tablespoons tomato sauce over each piece.
- Top each chicken breast with 1 tablespoon mozzarella, 1 tablespoon provolone, and fresh basil.
- Sprinkle remaining Parmesan cheese and drizzle ½ teaspoon olive oil over the chicken.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes until cheese melts and chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
Notes
- Choose chicken breasts that are similar in size to ensure even cooking and consistent texture throughout the dish.
- Letting the breaded chicken rest before frying helps the coating stick better and create a crispier exterior.
- Use a meat thermometer to check chicken doneness, as overcooking can make the meat tough and dry.
- For a lighter version, bake the breaded chicken instead of frying, or use whole wheat breadcrumbs to boost nutrition.
- Prep Time: 25-30 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-24 minutes
- Category: Chicken
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 565 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 740 mg
- Fat: 39 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 27 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 19 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 44 g
- Cholesterol: 210 mg