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
- Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F to ensure it’s hot enough to cook the chicken evenly and melt the cheese properly.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
