Description
Chicken Parmesan is a beloved Italian-American dish featuring tender, breaded chicken breasts topped with savory marinara sauce and melted mozzarella cheese. This family favorite is crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and baked to perfection, making it an ideal main course served over pasta.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Breading
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts, pounded to 1/2-inch thickness
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 1 cup Italian-style breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
Sauce and Cheese
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Cooking
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Garnish and Serving
- Fresh basil for garnish
- Cooked pasta for serving
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F to prepare for baking the chicken parmesan after browning.
- Prepare Breading Station: Set up three shallow bowls with flour in the first, beaten eggs in the second, and a breadcrumb mixture (Italian breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, dried basil, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper) in the third.
- Bread the Chicken: Dredge each chicken breast first in flour, shaking off excess, then dip into the beaten eggs, and finally press thoroughly into the breadcrumb mixture until fully coated.
- Brown the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the breaded chicken breasts and cook for 3 to 4 minutes per side until golden brown but not cooked through.
- Assemble for Baking: Transfer browned chicken breasts to a baking dish. Spoon marinara sauce evenly over each piece, then sprinkle with shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from oven, garnish with fresh basil, and serve the chicken parmesan over cooked pasta.
Notes
- For extra crispiness, use panko breadcrumbs instead of traditional Italian-style breadcrumbs.
- You can also air-fry the breaded chicken at 380°F for 10 to 12 minutes before adding sauce and cheese as an alternative cooking method.
- Fresh mozzarella can be substituted for shredded mozzarella for a creamier texture and richer flavor.
