Description
This classic Chicken Parmesan recipe features tender, breaded chicken breasts topped with marinara sauce, melted mozzarella, and parmesan cheese. Pan-fried to a golden crisp and baked until bubbly, it’s a comforting Italian-American favorite perfect for a hearty family dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 3 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut in half horizontally to make 6 breast halves
- Salt and pepper, to season
Breading
- ½ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese, divided
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup panko bread crumbs
- 1 cup Italian style bread crumbs (or panko)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
Cooking
- 3 Tablespoons oil
- 24 ounces marinara sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- Fresh basil leaves, for serving
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F to prepare for baking the chicken parmesan later.
- Butterfly chicken breasts: Place one hand on top of each chicken breast and carefully slice horizontally through the center to create two even, thin halves per breast.
- Season chicken: Pat the chicken halves dry and season both sides generously with salt and pepper for flavor.
- Prepare breading bowls: In a shallow bowl, beat the eggs thoroughly. In another bowl, combine panko bread crumbs, Italian bread crumbs, half of the parmesan cheese, and garlic powder, mixing well.
- Bread the chicken: Dip each chicken half first into the beaten eggs, then press both sides into the breadcrumb mixture to fully coat.
- Pan-fry chicken: Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. When hot, add the breaded chicken and cook for about 2 minutes per side until golden brown but not completely cooked through.
- Assemble in baking dish: Spoon a thin layer of marinara sauce into the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish. Place the browned chicken pieces on top.
- Add toppings: Spoon a bit of marinara sauce over each chicken piece, then sprinkle with shredded mozzarella and the remaining parmesan cheese.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Garnish and serve: Remove from the oven and garnish with fresh chopped basil leaves. Serve hot, ideally over cooked spaghetti noodles with extra marinara sauce if desired.
Notes
- This easy Chicken Parmesan recipe delivers a restaurant-quality dish with crispy breaded chicken, savory marinara sauce, and melty cheeses.
- Butterflying the chicken ensures even cooking and tender results.
- For best flavor, use freshly grated parmesan cheese and quality marinara sauce, whether store-bought or homemade.
- Serve it over pasta, or alongside a crisp green salad for a balanced meal.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 378 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 1092 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0.04 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 26 g
- Cholesterol: 113 mg
