Description
Chicken Parmesan brings classic Italian comfort straight to your dinner table with crispy breaded chicken smothered in marinara and melted cheese. Serve this crowd-pleaser alongside pasta or a fresh salad for a satisfying meal that makes your family smile.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Coating and Seasoning:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs
- 2 cups Italian seasoned breadcrumbs
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Sauce and Cheese:
- ½ cup olive oil
- 24 ounces marinara sauce
- 8 ounces mozzarella cheese
- Fresh basil leaves
Instructions
- Transform 4 chicken breasts into thin, uniform cutlets by gently pounding them between plastic wrap to ½-inch thickness using a meat mallet.
- Create three separate shallow dishes: first with 1 cup flour, second with 2 beaten eggs, third with a mixture of 2 cups breadcrumbs, ½ cup Parmesan, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon oregano, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper.
- Coat each chicken breast by first dusting with flour, then dipping in eggs, and finally pressing into the seasoned breadcrumb mixture until thoroughly covered.
- Heat ¼ cup olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering and hot.
- Carefully place two chicken breasts into the hot oil, cooking 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and reaching 165°F internal temperature.
- Transfer first batch of golden chicken to a paper towel-lined plate, then add remaining ¼ cup oil to skillet and cook second batch of chicken breasts.
- Warm your oven to 375°F and lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with cooking spray.
- Spread a thin layer of marinara sauce across the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
- Arrange the crispy chicken breasts over the sauce, ensuring they do not overlap.
- Pour remaining marinara sauce over chicken, completely covering each piece.
- Sprinkle 8 ounces of shredded mozzarella and remaining ½ cup Parmesan cheese evenly across the top.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes until cheese melts and turns light golden brown.
- Allow chicken to rest 3-5 minutes after removing from oven to let cheese set.
- Serve immediately with your favorite pasta or side dishes, optionally garnishing with fresh basil leaves.
Notes
- Pounding the chicken evenly helps it cook uniformly and prevents dry or undercooked sections.
- Using a cast-iron skillet provides the best golden-brown crust and even heat distribution for pan-frying.
- Fresh breadcrumbs create a crispier coating compared to store-bought pre-packaged breadcrumbs.
- Let the chicken rest after breading for 10-15 minutes to help the breading adhere better during cooking, preventing it from falling off in the pan.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-28 minutes
- Category: Chicken
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 680 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 750 mg
- Fat: 38 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 24 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 65 g
- Cholesterol: 180 mg