Description
This Best Chicken Parmesan recipe features tenderized chicken cutlets breaded in a flavorful mixture of breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, and Italian herbs, lightly pan-fried to golden perfection, then topped with melted mozzarella and marinara sauce. Baked and broiled to finish, it's a classic Italian-American comfort dish perfect for a satisfying dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken
- 3 chicken breasts, sliced in half length-wise to create 6 cutlets
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour (can also use gluten-free flour blend or white whole wheat)
- 3 eggs, whisked
- 1/3 cup olive oil
Breadcrumbs
- 1 1/2 cups breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, shredded
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 2 tsp Italian herb blend (thyme, oregano, basil, rosemary)
- 1 tsp garlic powder
For the Topping
- 6 slices Mozzarella
- 1 1/2 cups marinara sauce
- 1/3 cup parmesan cheese, shredded
- 2 tbsp fresh basil, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit to prepare for baking the chicken parmesan.
- Tenderize Chicken: Place the chicken cutlets in a large ziplock bag or between two sheets of parchment paper. Pound firmly with a rolling pin or meat hammer until the chicken is about 1/2 inch thick. Then remove and pat dry with paper towels.
- Prepare Breadcrumb Mixture: In a shallow dish, combine breadcrumbs, shredded parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, Italian herb blend, and garlic powder. Mix well.
- Set Up Breading Station: Arrange three shallow bowls or dishes: one with all-purpose flour, one with whisked eggs, and one with the breadcrumb mixture.
- Bread the Chicken: Coat each chicken cutlet first with flour, shaking off any excess. Then dip into the whisked eggs followed by the breadcrumb mixture, gently pressing the crumbs onto both sides to adhere well. Repeat for all cutlets.
- Brown the Chicken: Heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil in a cast iron skillet or pan over low to medium heat. Brown each breaded cutlet for 2 to 3 minutes on each side until they develop a golden crust. You may need to do this in batches, adding more oil as needed.
- Assemble Chicken Parmesan: Arrange the browned chicken cutlets in a large baking dish. Layer each cutlet with a slice of mozzarella cheese, then spoon marinara sauce over the top.
- Bake: Place the baking dish uncovered in the preheated oven and bake for 14 minutes to allow the cheese to melt and sauce to combine with the chicken.
- Add Parmesan and Broil: Remove the dish from the oven and sprinkle shredded parmesan cheese evenly over the top. Switch your oven to broil on high and broil the chicken for 1 minute or until the cheese is bubbly and browned.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle fresh chopped basil over the chicken parmesan before serving for an aromatic finish.
Notes
- To reduce oil usage, try the baked version by laying breaded chicken cutlets in a generously oiled pan, spraying or brushing with olive oil, and baking at 450F for 25 minutes before adding toppings and finishing with broiling.
- Serve this chicken parmesan with your favorite pasta, like spaghetti or penne, or alongside a fresh Italian salad such as a Tuscan artichoke or chopped Italian salad for a balanced meal.
- Crusty breads like sourdough or Italian bread complement the dish perfectly by soaking up extra sauce.
- Ensure chicken cutlets are pounded to an even 1/2 inch thickness for even cooking and tenderness.
- Use a cast iron skillet or heavy-bottomed pan for optimal browning and crispness of the breading.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 480 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 730 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 40 g
- Cholesterol: 155 mg
