Easy Chicken Parmesan Recipe

Lightly breaded chicken breasts are covered in marinara and baked with two kinds of cheese until golden and bubbly!

Chicken parmesan, also known as chicken parmigiana, is a classic Italian restaurant favorite. This dish actually originated from Italian immigrants in the US in the ’50s and is thought to have originated from Eggplant Parmesan, a traditional Italian dish.

Chicken – For this chicken parmesan recipe, you’ll need boneless skinless chicken breasts. Pound them with a meat mallet or rolling pin to ½-inch thick or use chicken cutlets, this helps them cook evenly.

Breading – I use two types of crumbs in my breadcrumb mixture. Panko adds crunch, while the finer breadcrumbs give a more even crust. Use pre-seasoned breadcrumbs, or add some Italian seasoning and salt to your own fine breadcrumbs.

Cheese – Parmesan cheese adds flavor while the melted mozzarella cheese gives this chicken parm recipe it’s delicious cheesy topping.

Tomato Sauce – Any marinara or pasta sauce will work, I love this dish with homemade marinara.

Once it comes out of the oven, be sure to sprinkle with fresh basil and parsley.

Chicken parmesan is great served over pasta like spaghetti or other long noodles. For a lower carb option, try zucchini noodles or spaghetti squash. We love a green salad and some bread on the side.

Did your family love this Easy Chicken Parmesan recipe? Leave us a rating & a comment below!

Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.

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easy chicken parmesan recipe

Easy Chicken Parmesan

easy chicken parmesan recipe

This easy chicken parmesan recipe is a family favorite, perfect served over pasta.

Prep: 15min

Total: 40min

Yield: 4

Serving Size: 1 serving

Nutrition Facts: calories 634 kcal, Carbohydrate 42 g, Protein 46 g, Fat 31 g, Saturated Fat 9 g, Cholesterol 186 mg, Sodium 1584 mg, Fiber 4 g, Sugar 8 g, Trans Fat 0.1 g, unSaturated Fat 20 g, servingSize 1 serving

Ingredients:

  • 4 chicken breast halves (skinless boneless)
  • ½ cup all purpose flour
  • 2 large eggs
  • ⅔ cup Panko bread crumbs
  • ⅔ cup Italian seasoning bread crumbs
  • ⅓ cup parmesan cheese (grated)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley
  • 4 tablespoons olive oil (or as needed)
  • 24 ounces marinara sauce (homemade or jarred)
  • 1 cup mozzarella cheese (shredded)
  • ¼ cup Parmesan cheese (shredded)
  • 1 teaspoon basil (fresh, chopped, for garnish)
  • 1 teaspoon parsley (fresh, chopped, for garnish)

Instruction:

  1. Preheat the oven to 425°F.
  2. Place the flour in a shallow bowl or dish. Place the eggs in a second shallow dish and beat with a fork.
  3. In a third shallow dish, combine Panko, Italian seasoned crumbs, grated Parmesan, 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper.
  4. Using a meat mallet, pound the chicken breasts to ½-inch thickness. After pounding, if they’re very large, you can cut them in half. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels and season with ½ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon black pepper.
  5. Dip chicken into the flour and shake to remove any excess. Dip chicken in beaten eggs, then into the bread crumb mixture and gently press to adhere.
  6. Preheat the oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet. Brown the chicken for about 2 minutes per side or until golden. It does not need to cook through.
  7. In the bottom of a 9×13 baking dish, add 1 ½ cups of marinara sauce. Add the browned chicken. Top each piece of chicken with 2 tablespoons of marinara sauce in the center. Top with mozzarella and shredded parmesan.
  8. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden and bubbly and the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F with an instant-read thermometer.
  9. Sprinkle with fresh herbs and serve over pasta.

Easy Chicken Parmesan Recipe

easy chicken parmesan recipe

This classic Chicken Parmesan is as good as it gets: a little crisp, a little crunch, a lot of tenderness. The homemade marinara sauce makes a BIG difference.

Prep: 15min

Total: 1h15min

Yield: 6 serving(s)

Nutrition Facts: calories 465 Calories, Fat 20 g, Saturated Fat 6 g, Trans Fat 0 g, Cholesterol 164 mg, Sodium 798 mg, Carbohydrate 28 g, Fiber 4 g, Sugar 7 g, Protein 39 g

Ingredients:

  • 1 1/2 c. panko bread crumbs
  • 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
  • 1/4 c. freshly grated Parmesan, plus more for garnish
  • 2 large eggs, beaten with 1 tbsp. water
  • 1/2 c. all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 lb. boneless skinless chicken cutlets
  • Kosher salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • Vegetable oil
  • 1 c. shredded mozzarella
  • 2 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1/2 small onion, finely chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic, sliced
  • 1 (28-oz.) can crushed tomatoes
  • 1/4 c. water
  • Kosher salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • Pinch crushed red pepper flakes
  • 2 tbsp. freshly chopped parsley, plus more for garnish

Instruction:

  1. Preheat oven to 400º. Make chicken: Prepare breading station with three large mixing bowls: one bowl with panko, garlic powder, and Parmesan mixed with a fork; another with the egg mixture; and the third bowl with flour. Season chicken with salt and pepper, then coat each piece of chicken in flour and shake off excess. Dip chicken into egg mixture and then into bread crumb mixture; repeat steps for remaining chicken and set aside on a plate.
  2. In a deep cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat, add 1/4″ oil. When pan is hot but not smoking, add chicken. Cook until golden brown, 5 to 7 minutes, flipping halfway through. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
  3. Meanwhile, make marinara: In a medium pot over medium heat, heat oil. Add onion and garlic and cook until soft, 4 minutes. Add in tomatoes and water, season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes, and let simmer, 10 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in parsley.
  4. Pour sauce into a 9″-x-13″ baking dish and place chicken in sauce. Top with mozzarella and bake until cheese is melty, 10 to 12 minutes. If desired, broil until cheese is golden, 3 minutes.
  5. Garnish with parsley and serve immediately.

EASY CLASSIC CHICKEN PARMESAN Recipe

FAQ

What’s the difference between chicken parmesan and chicken parmigiana?

Brace yourself for this one—they’re the same dish! Chicken Parmesan and chicken Parmigiana are just different names for the same exact recipe. And, with a name like “chicken Parmigiana”, you might assume that this recipe is Italian. While it has roots in Italy (in a way), chicken Parmesan is all-American.

How do you get breading to stick to chicken parmesan?

The most important part of frying the chicken is to make sure your oil is at the right temperature. Too cold and your chicken will end up overcooking before it has a chance to fully brown and crisp (or worse, your coating will slip off the chicken if it doesn’t seal up fast enough).

How do you not overcook chicken parmesan?

Chicken Parmesan + Amazing Side Dish = PERFECTION!

From classics such garlic bread and bruschetta, to healthier options such as sauteed spinach and roasted brussel sprouts, there are so many options for what to serve with Chicken Parmesan.

About the author

Helen is an author and editor at helenbackcafe.com, who has a passion for writing about recipes. She loves to experiment with different ingredients and cooking techniques to create delicious and unique dishes.

Among all the foods, pizza holds a special place in her heart, and she loves exploring different variations and toppings to create the perfect slice. Through her writing, Helen hopes to inspire others to get creative in the kitchen and share their love for food with the world.

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