Chicken Parmesan Recipe
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Introduction
Chicken Parmesan is a comforting Italian-American favorite featuring crispy breaded chicken topped with rich marinara sauce, melted mozzarella, and savory Parmesan cheese. The chicken stays juicy inside while the coating becomes wonderfully golden and crunchy. This easy recipe is perfect for family dinners, date nights, or weekend comfort food. Serve it over spaghetti with extra sauce for a satisfying meal that feels like your favorite Italian restaurant at home.
Prep Time
20 minutes
Cook Time
30 minutes
Total Time
50 minutes
Oven Temperature
400°F (200°C)
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
- Chicken breasts: Create the tender, hearty base. Substitute boneless chicken thighs.
- Breadcrumbs: Give the chicken its crispy golden coating. Substitute panko breadcrumbs.
- Marinara sauce: Adds rich tomato flavor. Substitute homemade tomato sauce.
- Mozzarella: Creates the classic melted cheese topping. Substitute provolone.
- Parmesan cheese: Adds salty, nutty flavor to the coating and topping. Substitute Romano cheese.
- Italian seasoning: Adds aromatic herb flavor. Substitute dried oregano and basil.
Tips
- Pound the chicken evenly so every piece cooks at the same rate.
- Keep one hand for wet ingredients and one for dry ingredients when breading.
- Don't add too much sauce or the crispy coating can become soggy.
- Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before serving.
Ingredients You'll Need
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup Italian-seasoned breadcrumbs
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped
Step-by-Step
- Prepare the chicken: Preheat the oven to 400°F. Pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness and season both sides with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
- Set up the coating: Place flour in one shallow bowl, beaten eggs in another, and breadcrumbs mixed with Parmesan in a third. Coat each chicken breast in flour, then egg, then the breadcrumb mixture.
- Brown the chicken: Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the breaded chicken for 2–3 minutes per side until golden brown.
- Add the sauce: Spoon marinara sauce over each chicken breast, leaving some of the crispy edges exposed. Sprinkle mozzarella and additional Parmesan evenly over the top.
- Bake: Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake for 15–20 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbling and the chicken reaches 165°F internally.
- Finish and serve: Remove from the oven and let the chicken rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with fresh basil and serve hot with pasta or your favorite side.
Garnish & Serving
- Sprinkle with fresh basil and extra Parmesan.
- Add freshly cracked black pepper or red pepper flakes.
- Serve over spaghetti with warm marinara sauce.
Storage
Store leftover Chicken Parmesan in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in a 375°F oven or air fryer to help restore the crispy coating. Microwave reheating works for convenience, but the breading will be softer. Keep pasta and chicken separate when possible.
Make Ahead
Bread the chicken up to 1 day ahead and refrigerate it covered. Cook and top with sauce and cheese just before baking for the best crispy texture.
Variations
- Spicy: Add red pepper flakes to the breadcrumbs or marinara sauce.
- Extra cheesy: Add provolone alongside the mozzarella.
- Air fryer: Air-fry breaded chicken until golden and cooked through, then add sauce and cheese and heat until melted.
Serving Pairings
- Spaghetti with marinara
- Garlic bread
- Fresh Caesar salad
Chicken Parmesan is crispy, cheesy, saucy, and irresistibly comforting—a classic family dinner that's always a crowd-pleaser.
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