If you are looking to create a comforting classic that everyone will rave about, this Chicken Parmesan Recipe is your golden ticket to deliciousness. It combines perfectly seasoned, crispy breaded chicken cutlets topped with gooey melted mozzarella and savory marinara sauce, delivering a delightful symphony of flavors and textures in every bite. This dish is not just an Italian-American favorite but also a wonderful way to impress your family or guests with a homemade meal that feels richly satisfying yet surprisingly easy to prepare.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Chicken Parmesan Recipe relies on a handful of straightforward but essential ingredients that work together beautifully to bring out the best taste, color, and texture. Each component plays a key role—from the crisp coating to the melty cheese and fragrant herbs, ensuring this dish shines on your dinner table.
- Chicken breasts: Use boneless, skinless cutlets for quick, even cooking and tender results.
- Breadcrumbs: Provide the perfect crispy crust that locks in juicy chicken.
- Parmesan cheese: Adds a sharp, nutty flavor perfectly complementing the breadcrumb coating.
- Garlic powder: Infuses a warm, savory aroma enhancing the overall flavor.
- Italian seasoning: A blend of herbs that gives the dish its authentic Italian flair.
- Salt and freshly cracked black pepper: Simple seasonings that elevate all the other ingredients.
- Egg: Acts as the glue holding the breadcrumb mixture firmly to the chicken.
- All-purpose flour: Provides the first layer of coating, ensuring the egg and breadcrumbs stick properly.
- Cooking oil: Needed for frying to get that golden, crispy texture on your chicken.
- Marinara sauce: Rich, savory, and tangy, it’s the perfect sauce to crown your chicken.
- Mozzarella cheese: Melts beautifully to create the oozing, cheesy topping everyone loves.
- Fresh parsley (optional): Adds a pop of fresh color and subtle herbaceous notes for garnish.
How to Make Chicken Parmesan Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Chicken
Begin by carefully slicing your chicken breasts lengthwise with a sharp knife to yield four even cutlets. If you prefer saving time, you can use pre-cut chicken cutlets from the store. This helps the chicken cook quickly and evenly, which is vital for getting that juicy interior beneath the crispy exterior.
Step 2: Season Chicken
Next, lightly season both sides of each cutlet with salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder. This simple seasoning layer is the foundation of flavor and ensures every bite bursts with savory goodness.
Step 3: Bread Chicken
For the breading station, set up three shallow bowls: one with all-purpose flour, one with whisked egg, and one with a mixture of breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Dredge each piece of chicken first in flour, then egg, and finally coat thoroughly with the breadcrumb mixture. This triple coating creates that signature crunchy and flavorful crust everyone loves in a Chicken Parmesan Recipe.
Step 4: Cook Chicken
Heat your cooking oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering hot. Carefully add the breaded chicken cutlets, cooking the first side until it turns a gorgeous golden brown, about five minutes. This step locks in juices while giving you that irresistible crispy shell.
Step 5: Top and Finish
Flip each cutlet and reduce the heat to medium. Spoon about two tablespoons of marinara sauce over each piece, then sprinkle with shredded mozzarella cheese. Cover the skillet with a lid to trap the heat, allowing the cheese to melt fully while the chicken finishes cooking through. This usually takes around 5 to 7 minutes. The result? A gooey, bubbly topping melded into the crispy crust, creating pure magic.
Step 6: Serve
Once cooked, garnish your Chicken Parmesan with freshly chopped parsley for a burst of color and a light fresh note. Serve hot alongside spaghetti tossed in extra marinara sauce or your favorite pasta side for a complete, crowd-pleasing meal.
How to Serve Chicken Parmesan Recipe
Garnishes
Freshly chopped parsley is a classic choice that brightens up the plate and complements the rich flavors perfectly. For an extra touch, a sprinkle of finely grated Parmesan or a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil can add lovely depth and shine to your dish.
Side Dishes
Chicken Parmesan pairs beautifully with simple spaghetti or linguine smothered in marinara sauce, but don’t shy away from creamy mashed potatoes, garlic roasted vegetables, or a crisp green salad. These sides balance the richness and add textural variety to your meal experience.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, try layering Chicken Parmesan in a casserole dish with pasta and extra cheese, then bake it until bubbly and golden on top. Alternatively, serve individual cutlets on open-faced sandwiches with fresh basil and marinara for a handheld treat that brings a new spin to this classic favorite.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
You can store leftover Chicken Parmesan in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Keeping the components snugly covered helps preserve moisture and keeps the breading crispy when reheated properly.
Freezing
This Chicken Parmesan Recipe freezes well, making it great for meal prepping. Cool the cooked cutlets completely, then layer them between sheets of parchment paper in a freezer-safe container or bag. They will keep well for up to two months.
Reheating
To bring leftovers back to life, reheat gently in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 15 minutes, or until warmed through and the cheese is melted. Avoid microwaving if possible, as this can make the breading soggy rather than crisp.
FAQs
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts for this Chicken Parmesan Recipe?
Absolutely! While breasts are more traditional and cook quickly, boneless, skinless chicken thighs offer extra juiciness and flavor. Just make sure to flatten them evenly for consistent cooking.
Is it necessary to use both Parmesan and mozzarella cheese?
Yes, combining Parmesan in the breadcrumb coating and mozzarella on top gives you the best texture and flavor balance—Parmesan adds sharpness while mozzarella melts into that creamy gooey layer everyone loves.
Can I bake the chicken instead of frying it?
Definitely! For a lighter version, bake the breaded chicken cutlets on a greased baking sheet at 400°F (200°C) for about 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway. Add sauce and cheese during the last 5 minutes to melt perfectly.
What type of marinara sauce works best?
A simple, high-quality marinara sauce with fresh tomato flavor and balanced herbs complements this Chicken Parmesan Recipe perfectly. You can use store-bought or homemade depending on your preference.
How do I make sure the chicken stays juicy?
Properly slicing and pounding the chicken ensures even cooking. Also, do not overcook; covering the pan to melt cheese gently allows the chicken to finish cooking without drying out.
Final Thoughts
This Chicken Parmesan Recipe is truly one of those dishes that warms your heart and delights your taste buds at the same time. It’s approachable enough for weeknight dinners but special enough for company, delivering crispy, cheesy, and saucy goodness in every bite. I encourage you to make it soon and share this timeless favorite with those you love—it just might become their new go-to comfort food too!
Print
Chicken Parmesan Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Description
This Chicken Parmesan recipe features tender, breaded chicken cutlets cooked to golden perfection in a skillet, then topped with marinara sauce and melted mozzarella cheese. Ready in just 22 minutes, it’s a classic Italian-American favorite perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs)
Breading
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- â…“ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
- 1 egg
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
Cooking
- ¼ cup cooking oil
- ½ cup marinara sauce
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Garnish (optional)
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Prepare Chicken: Use a sharp knife to carefully filet the chicken breasts lengthwise into two cutlets, making 4 cutlets total. Alternatively, you can use pre-cut chicken cutlets for convenience.
- Season Chicken: Lightly season both sides of the chicken cutlets with a pinch of salt and freshly cracked black pepper, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, and 1 teaspoon garlic powder.
- Bread Chicken: In a wide shallow bowl, combine the breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and freshly cracked black pepper. In a separate bowl, whisk the egg until smooth. In a third bowl, add the flour. Dredge each chicken piece first in the flour, shaking off excess, then dip into the egg mixture, coating fully and letting excess drip off, and finally coat thoroughly with the breadcrumb mixture on both sides.
- Cook Chicken: Heat ¼ cup cooking oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the breaded chicken cutlets and cook the first side until golden brown and crispy, about 5 minutes.
- Top and Finish: Flip the chicken cutlets and reduce heat to medium. Spoon 2 tablespoons of marinara sauce over each cutlet and sprinkle ¼ cup shredded mozzarella cheese on top. Cover the skillet with a lid and cook for an additional 5-7 minutes until the cheese is melted, the sauce is warmed through, and the chicken is cooked completely.
- Serve: Optionally, garnish with freshly chopped parsley. Serve the chicken parmesan with your choice of spaghetti and extra marinara sauce.
Notes
- Fileting chicken carefully ensures even cooking and better coating.
- Dredging in flour before egg helps the breadcrumb coating adhere well.
- Covering the skillet while melting cheese helps trap heat and steam for thorough cooking.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan and good quality marinara for best flavor.
- Serve immediately to enjoy crispy breading and melted cheese.
