Chicken Parmesan: A Crispy, Cheesy Italian-American Classic
Chicken Parmesan (Chicken Parmigiana) features crispy breaded chicken cutlets topped with tangy marinara sauce and gooey melted cheese. This Italian-American favorite is perfect for family dinners, date nights, or special occasions.
Equipment
- Large skillet
- Saucepan
- Baking dish
- Meat mallet
- Mixing bowls
Ingredients
- 2 large chicken breasts boneless, skinless, halved horizontally to make 4 cutlets
- to taste salt and pepper
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 eggs beaten
- 1 cup Italian-seasoned breadcrumbs
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese grated, for breading
- ¼ cup olive oil for frying
- 2 cups marinara sauce store-bought or homemade
- 2 cloves garlic minced, for sauce
- 1 tbsp olive oil for sauce
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese shredded
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese grated, for topping
- optional fresh basil for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Slice chicken breasts in half horizontally to create 4 thin cutlets. Pound gently for even thickness. Season both sides with salt and pepper.
- Set up a breading station: one bowl with flour, one with beaten eggs, and one with breadcrumbs mixed with 1/2 cup grated Parmesan.
- Dredge each cutlet in flour, then dip in eggs, then coat in breadcrumb-Parmesan mixture, pressing gently to adhere.
- Heat 1/4 cup olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Fry breaded chicken cutlets 3–4 minutes per side, until golden brown and crispy. Drain on paper towels.
- In a small saucepan, heat 1 tbsp olive oil over medium. Add minced garlic and sauté 30 seconds. Stir in marinara sauce and simmer 5 minutes.
- Spread a thin layer of marinara sauce in the bottom of a baking dish. Place fried chicken cutlets on top. Spoon remaining sauce over chicken, then sprinkle with mozzarella and 1/4 cup Parmesan.
- Bake 15–20 minutes, until cheese is melted and bubbly. Garnish with fresh basil before serving.
Notes
For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free breadcrumbs and flour. For a lighter option, skip the breading and bake the chicken with sauce and cheese. Serve with pasta, salad, or garlic bread.
Nutrition
Calories: 520kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 40gFat: 25gSaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 120mgSodium: 980mgPotassium: 850mgFiber: 3gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 14IUVitamin C: 8mgCalcium: 28mgIron: 13mg
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