Description
Comfort meets classic Italian cuisine in this crowd-pleasing chicken parmesan that brings restaurant-quality flavor straight to your kitchen. Crispy golden chicken breasts nestled under melted mozzarella and marinara sauce promise a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts, halved lengthwise (to make 4 cutlets)
Dry Coating Ingredients:
- 1 cup (120 grams) breadcrumbs (Italian-style or panko for extra crunch)
- ½ cup (50 grams) grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup (60 grams) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Wet Ingredients and Sauces:
- 2 eggs, beaten
- ¼ cup (60 milliliters) olive oil (for frying)
- 1 ½ cups (375 milliliters) marinara sauce
- 1 cup (100 grams) shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup (25 grams) grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon fresh basil or parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Gently tenderize the chicken cutlets to achieve a uniform ½-inch thickness using a meat mallet or rolling pin, ensuring even cooking.
- Create three distinct stations for coating: first with seasoned flour mixture, then egg wash, and finally a flavorful breadcrumb blend incorporating Parmesan, garlic powder, and Italian herbs.
- Methodically coat each chicken piece by first dredging in seasoned flour, removing excess, then thoroughly dipping in beaten eggs to help breading adhere.
- Press chicken into the herbed breadcrumb mixture, ensuring complete and even coverage for maximum crispiness.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium temperature, creating the ideal environment for golden, crispy exterior.
- Carefully fry chicken cutlets for 3-4 minutes per side until achieving a rich, golden-brown crust, then transfer to paper towels to drain excess oil.
- Preheat oven to 400°F, preparing for the final transformation of the crispy chicken.
- Spread a layer of marinara sauce in a baking dish, creating a flavorful foundation for the chicken.
- Arrange the fried chicken cutlets atop the sauce, then generously sprinkle with mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses.
- Bake for 10-15 minutes until cheese melts into a bubbling, golden blanket and chicken is thoroughly heated.
- Finish by garnishing with fresh basil or parsley, serving alongside spaghetti or warm garlic bread for a complete, satisfying meal.
Notes
- Flatten chicken evenly to ensure consistent cooking and prevent dry or undercooked spots.
- Create a neat dredging setup with separate bowls to make coating process smooth and less messy.
- Use a meat thermometer to check chicken reaches 165°F internally for food safety without overcooking.
- Pat chicken dry before dredging to help breading stick better and create crispier exterior.
- Swap regular breadcrumbs with gluten-free alternatives for celiac or gluten-sensitive diets.
- Add extra Parmesan into breadcrumb mixture for more intense cheesy flavor and crispy texture.
- Let chicken rest after frying to maintain crispiness and prevent soggy breading when baking.
- Choose low-fat mozzarella or reduce cheese quantity for a lighter, healthier version of the dish.
- Fresh herbs like basil or parsley add brightness and cut through the richness of the cheesy chicken.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 16 g
- Sodium: 140 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 5 mg