Description
Classic Chicken Parmesan features tender, breaded chicken breasts topped with savory marinara sauce, melted mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese. This comforting Italian-American dish is lightly pan-fried for a golden crust before baking to perfection, making it perfect for a hearty weeknight dinner or an impressive meal for guests.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 3 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut in half horizontally to make 6 breast halves
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 3 Tablespoons oil
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
Sauce and Cheese
- 24 ounces marinara sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- Fresh basil leaves, for serving
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit to get it ready for baking the chicken.
- Butterfly Chicken Breasts: Place one hand on top of a chicken breast and carefully slice horizontally through the center to create two thin, even halves.
- Season Chicken: Pat the chicken halves dry with paper towels and season both sides generously with salt and pepper.
- Prepare Breading Mixtures: In a shallow bowl, beat the eggs well. In another shallow bowl, combine the panko bread crumbs, Italian bread crumbs, half of the Parmesan cheese, and garlic powder, stirring to mix thoroughly.
- Bread the Chicken: Dip each chicken half first into the egg mixture, allowing excess to drip off, then press firmly into the breadcrumb mixture to coat both sides evenly.
- Pan-fry Chicken: Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the breaded chicken pieces and cook for about 2 minutes per side until golden brown but not cooked through.
- Assemble in Baking Dish: Spread a thin layer of marinara sauce on the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking pan. Arrange the browned chicken pieces on top. Spoon more marinara sauce over each piece, followed by sprinkling the shredded mozzarella and remaining Parmesan cheese evenly across the chicken.
- Bake: Place the baking pan in the preheated oven and bake for 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the pan from the oven and garnish with fresh chopped basil leaves. Serve the chicken Parmesan over cooked spaghetti noodles if desired, with extra marinara sauce on the side.
Notes
- This recipe produces restaurant-quality Chicken Parmesan with a crisp breaded exterior and rich cheesy topping.
- Using a combination of panko and Italian style bread crumbs adds extra crunch and flavor.
- Ensure not to fully cook chicken during pan-frying to keep it moist and finish cooking in the oven.
- Serve with spaghetti or your favorite pasta and a side salad for a complete meal.
- Fresh basil adds a bright, aromatic finish to the dish.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 378
- 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
