Description
This classic Chicken Parmesan recipe features tender, breaded chicken cutlets pan-fried to a golden crisp and then baked with marinara sauce and melted mozzarella cheese for a comforting and flavorful Italian-inspired dish. Perfect served over pasta or alongside vegetables, it’s a family-friendly meal that combines crispy texture with gooey cheese and rich tomato sauce.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Coating
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup breadcrumbs (Italian-style or panko)
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Sauce and Topping
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup fresh basil, chopped (optional)
For Frying
- ¼ cup olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for baking the chicken after frying.
- Prepare Chicken Cutlets: Slice the chicken breasts in half horizontally to create four thin cutlets, ensuring even cooking and easy breading.
- Set Up Breading Stations: Arrange three shallow bowls: one with all-purpose flour, one with beaten eggs, and one with a mixture of breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper for coating the chicken.
- Bread the Chicken: Dredge each chicken cutlet first in the flour, then dip into the beaten eggs, and finally coat thoroughly with the breadcrumb mixture. Press gently to help the coating adhere well to the chicken.
- Pan-Fry the Cutlets: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Fry the chicken cutlets for 3-4 minutes per side until they turn golden brown and develop a crispy crust. Transfer the fried cutlets to a baking dish.
- Add Sauce and Cheese: Spoon marinara sauce generously over each fried chicken cutlet, then evenly sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese on top.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 10-15 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from oven and sprinkle with fresh chopped basil if desired. Serve the Chicken Parmesan hot, ideally over cooked pasta or alongside your favorite vegetables for a complete meal.
Notes
- For extra crispy chicken, use panko breadcrumbs instead of regular Italian-style breadcrumbs.
- Ensure chicken cutlets are pounded evenly for uniform cooking.
- Use fresh mozzarella for a creamier texture if preferred, but shredded mozzarella melts more evenly.
- Olive oil should be hot but not smoking to avoid burning the breading.
- You can prepare the breaded chicken cutlets ahead of time and refrigerate before frying to save time on busy days.
