Chicken Parmesan Recipe

If there’s any dish that always brings smiles around the dinner table, it’s Chicken Parmesan. Imagine golden, crispy chicken cutlets lavished with rich marinara sauce and melted mozzarella cheese. It’s a classic Italian-American favorite that is both hearty and comforting.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Crowd-Pleaser: Chicken Parmesan is the ultimate comfort food that everyone adores.
  • Rich and Flavorful: Each layer is packed with flavor from the breadcrumbs to the cheese.
  • Simple Yet Elegant: With just a few steps, you create an elegant dish perfect for any occasion.

Ingredients You’ll Need

This Chicken Parmesan recipe relies on simple, but essential ingredients that come together to deliver a spectacular taste. Each ingredient plays a vital role, creating a melody of flavors and textures.

  • Chicken Breasts: Make sure they’re boneless and skinless for easy preparation and cooking.
  • All-Purpose Flour: Provides a light coating that helps the egg mixture adhere to the chicken.
  • Eggs: Help the breadcrumbs stick to the chicken, creating a crispy coating.
  • Panko Breadcrumbs: Adds extra crunch, making the chicken incredibly crispy.
  • Parmesan Cheese: Provides a sharp, salty flavor that enhances the overall taste.
  • Marinara Sauce: Brings out the classic Italian essence with its robust tomato base.
  • Mozzarella Cheese: Melts beautifully over the chicken, adding creaminess.
Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

Don’t be shy to make this Chicken Parmesan recipe your own. It’s wonderfully adaptable, allowing you to cater to different tastes or dietary needs seamlessly.

  • Gluten-Free: Swap out the flour and breadcrumbs for gluten-free alternatives.
  • Spicy Kick: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the marinara sauce for some heat.
  • Low-Carb: Substitute breadcrumbs with crushed pork rinds for a keto version.

How to Make Chicken Parmesan

Step 1: Preheat Your Oven

Begin by preheating your oven to 425°F. This high temperature ensures a perfectly crisp and bubbly finish on your Chicken Parmesan.

Step 2: Prepare the Breading Ingredients

Set up your breading station by placing flour, beaten eggs, and a seasoned breadcrumb mixture in separate dishes. This preparation is crucial for an even coating.

Step 3: Bread the Chicken

Coat your chicken pieces first in flour, then eggs, and finally press them into the breadcrumb mixture ensuring it’s well adhered.

Step 4: Fry the Chicken

Heat oil in a large pan and brown your chicken on each side. This step is less about cooking through and more about achieving that essential golden crust.

Step 5: Assemble and Bake

Place browned chicken in a baking dish, cover with sauce, mozzarella, and parmesan, and pop it into the oven. Bake until the cheese is deliciously golden and bubbly.

Pro Tips for Making Chicken Parmesan

  • Optimizing Crispiness: After frying, let the chicken rest on a wire rack to maintain crunch while preparing other components.
  • Flour Power: Don’t skip the flouring step; it creates the all-important base for the egg and crumb layers.
  • Cheese Balance: Mix and match your cheese ratio to find the perfect blend of mozzarella and parmesan flavors for your dish.
  • Herb Infusion: Use fresh herbs liberally in your marinara for a fresher taste.

How to Serve Chicken Parmesan

Chicken Parmesan Recipe - Recipe Image

Garnishes

Nothing ties this dish together like a sprinkle of freshly chopped basil and a shower of grated parmesan on top. They not only add vibrant color but also enhance the aromatic profile of the Chicken Parmesan.

Side Dishes

A classic side to Chicken Parmesan is a serving of spaghetti tossed in olive oil and garlic. You could also opt for a green salad or garlic bread to complement the rich flavors.

Creative Ways to Present

Try serving Chicken Parmesan on individual cast-iron skillets for a rustic vibe, or plate each portion atop a small mound of spaghetti for a neat, restaurant-style presentation.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Chicken Parmesan can be stored in the fridge for up to 3-5 days. For optimal texture, keep the sauce and chicken separate until reheating.

Freezing

Freeze individual portions of Chicken Parmesan wrapped tightly. They can last up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Reheating

Reheat in the oven at 350°F until entirely warmed through. This helps maintain that lovely crispy texture on the chicken.

FAQs

  1. Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

    Yes, chicken thighs can be used for a juicier version, though cook times may vary slightly.

  2. What is the best cheese for Chicken Parmesan?

    Mozzarella for meltability and parmesan for taste are ideal; blend for the best of both worlds.

  3. Is there a way to make it healthier?

    For a lighter version, bake the chicken instead of frying and use reduced-fat cheese.

  4. What can I do if I don’t have Panko breadcrumbs?

    Regular breadcrumbs work as a substitute, or blitz some stale bread for a homemade alternative.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for a deliciously comforting meal, Chicken Parmesan is your ticket to a happy dinner table. Its inviting blend of flavors and textures will make it a firm favorite. I can’t wait for you to try it!

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Chicken Parmesan Recipe

Chicken Parmesan Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.9 from 94 reviews
  • Author: Megane
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 40 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour
  • Yield: 8 servings
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Italian-American
  • Diet: Leave empty if none apply

Description

Chicken Parmesan is a classic Italian-American dish featuring breaded and fried chicken cutlets topped with marinara sauce and melted cheese. This recipe offers a flavorful and crispy variation, baked to perfection, and served over pasta or with a side of vegetables. Perfect for a hearty family dinner or a special occasion, it combines tender chicken with rich flavors and crispy textures for a satisfying meal.


Ingredients

Units Scale

Chicken

  • 4 chicken breasts boneless and skinless cut in half horizontally to make 8 pieces
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 cup Panko breadcrumbs
  • 1/2 cup Italian-style breadcrumbs, or regular
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese grated
  • 2 tablespoon parsley fresh, chopped
  • 3 tablespoon vegetable oil for frying

Toppings

  • 24 ounce marinara sauce (1 jar)
  • 2 cups mozzarella cheese shredded
  • 1/3 cup Parmesan cheese grated
  • 2 tablespoon basil fresh, chopped

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F to ensure it’s hot enough to cook the chicken evenly and melt the cheese properly.
  2. Prepare breading ingredients: Place flour in a shallow dish. Beat eggs with salt and pepper in a second dish. Mix breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan, parsley, salt, and pepper in a third dish for a flavorful coating.
  3. Prepare chicken: Dip each chicken piece into the flour, shaking off excess. Then, dip into beaten eggs, followed by pressing into the breadcrumb mixture to adhere well.
  4. Fry chicken: Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Brown each piece for about 4 minutes per side until golden; it does not need to be cooked through as it will finish baking later. Alternatively, for a healthier option, air fry the chicken at 380°F for 7 minutes, flipping halfway.
  5. Assemble chicken parmesan: Spread 1.5 cups of marinara sauce on the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish. Arrange the browned chicken on top. Spoon additional marinara sauce over each piece, then sprinkle with shredded mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
  6. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 10-15 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden, and the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
  7. Garnish and serve: Sprinkle freshly chopped basil over the top. Serve hot over cooked pasta or with your preferred side dishes like steamed vegetables or garlic bread.

Notes

  • Serve: Enjoy over spaghetti with sides like Italian green beans, steamed broccoli, or a tossed salad accompanied by garlic bread. Green vegetables sautéed in garlic and olive oil are also excellent.
  • Leftovers: Refrigerate leftovers for 3-5 days if assembled and cooked with sauce and cheese. For longer storage, keep the sauce separate to prevent breading from becoming soggy upon reheating. Reheat in the oven or microwave.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 piece of chicken with sauce and cheese
  • Calories: 420 kcal
  • Sugar: 7 g
  • Sodium: 800 mg
  • Fat: 20 g
  • Saturated Fat: 8 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 40 g
  • Fiber: 3 g
  • Protein: 35 g
  • Cholesterol: 125 mg

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