Are you looking for more ways to bring the irresistible flavors of Italy to your kitchen? Then you will love this chicken parmesan recipe featuring tender, breaded chicken cutlets that are covered in a rich marinara sauce and topped with a harmonious blend of melted mozzarella, provolone, and parmesan cheeses, and baked to perfection.
Whether you're seeking a comforting family dinner or aiming to impress your friends with a culinary masterpiece, this chicken parmesan offers an array of flavors and textures that are traditionally associated with Italian-American comfort food.
Table of Contents
Recipe Video
Why This Recipe Works
You will love this chicken parmesan recipe due to its harmonious combination of fresh and delicious ingredients and well-executed cooking techniques.
The use of thin chicken cutlets ensures even cooking, preventing dryness while allowing the breading to get good and crispy. The tomato sauce, whether store-bought with carefully selected natural ingredients or homemade with aromatic spices, complements the tender chicken. Mozzarella and provolone cheeses, renowned for their excellent melting properties, create a melty, gooey texture that perfectly contrasts the crunchy breading.
Additionally, this is a very technical recipe that uses a variety of cooking techniques. And while this may seem daunting, this chicken parmesan recipe is still rather easy to prepare.
Ingredients
Chicken:
If you can, thin chicken cutlets are the best cuts to use for this chicken parmesan recipe, as they cook faster and it eliminates the need to pound out the meat. However, as you will see with this recipe, chicken breasts are an excellent alternative because you can use a meat mallet to pound them out really thin, resulting in a very large cutlet.
Additionally, if you want to make a meatless version of this chicken parmesan, eggplant is a very delicious and common substitute for chicken. However, when swapping chicken out for eggplant, consider the differences in cooking time – eggplant requires slightly longer baking time to soften and develop its flavors.
Tomato Sauce:
Chicken Parmesan is typically made using a marinara sauce, which is a basic tomato sauce flavored with ingredients like garlic, onions, herbs, and sometimes a touch of red pepper flakes. Use your favorite brand of marinara, or look to buy a high-quality jarred marinara with simple and natural ingredients.
Additionally, you can make your own marinara sauce from scratch. Simply prepare your favorite recipe, or use this simple recipe.
Heat a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Once the pan is hot enough to bead water, add 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Add 1 small onion, finely chopped, and cook for 1 or 2 minutes. Then add 3 cloves of minced garlic and cook until fragrant. Pour in 1 28oz can of crushed tomatoes and stir. Add 1 teaspoon of dried basil, 1 teaspoon of dried oregano, salt, and pepper to taste. Stir to combine. Bring the sauce to a simmer, then lower it to medium-low and allow it to continue to cook for 15-20 minutes until the flavors meld and the sauce thickens. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
Need more help? Go to Instant Pot Marinara Sauce for full instructions 🙂
Cheese:
Mozzarella, provolone, and of course, parmesan are used in this chicken parmesan recipe, mainly for their excellent melting properties and mild flavors that complement the dish. However, you can use any cheese that you like in this recipe, including dairy-free options. Consider using dairy-free mozzarella or provolone alternatives, or enhance the flavor with nutritional yeast or nut-based cheeses while remembering that the melt and texture might vary.
How to Make Chicken Parmesan
Step One:
Lay your chicken breasts flat on a sturdy, solid surface and pound them out using a meat mallet.
Step Two:
Coat them in salt, pepper, and garlic powder and set them aside.
Step Three:
In a large bowl or plate, add panko and parmesan. Add flour to a second plate or bowl and beaten eggs to a third.
Step Four:
Start by dredging a piece of chicken in the flour, then the egg wash, and finally, the panko. Repeat with the remaining chicken.
Step Five:
Heat your olive oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add your chicken. Cook the chicken for 2-3 minutes on each side until the crust is golden brown. Ensure not to overcrowd the pan. You may have to make multiple batches.
Step Six:
Remove from the pan and place on some paper towel to absorb excess oil.
Step Seven:
Once the chicken breasts are cooked, place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet, top them with tomato sauce, provolone, mozzarella, and basil, and sprinkle the remaining parmesan.
Step Eight:
Cook for 20-25 minutes at 375F.
Step Nine:
Serve with a side salad, and enjoy!
Tips
- Lay plastic wrap on top of your chicken as you pound it out. This creates less friction between the meat and the mallet.
- If using a baking dish to make your chicken parmesan, preheat it in the oven before adding the breaded chicken. This helps the bottom of the chicken cook evenly and prevents it from sticking.
- Allow the Chicken Parmesan to rest for a few minutes after removing it from the oven. This helps the juices redistribute within the chicken, keeping it moist and tender.
What to Serve With Chicken Parmesan
The sauce from this delicious chicken parmesan recipe pairs incredibly well with a variety of different pasta dishes. Serve your chicken parm with some saucy spaghetti bolognese, cheesy fettuccine alfredo, or pesto tortellini. For something a little lighter, you can serve your chicken parmesan with a fresh Caprese salad and some garlic bread.
FAQs
Can I use frozen chicken for this chicken parmesan recipe?
For the best results and for safety purposes, it's best to use thawed, fresh chicken when making this chicken parmesan recipe. If you have frozen chicken, make sure to thaw it in the refrigerator before proceeding, as this will help ensure that the chicken cooks evenly and is safe to eat.
Do I need to cover the chicken parmesan with foil while baking?
As long as your cutlets are thin enough, then foil is not required while baking your chicken parmesan. If you have thicker cuts of chicken, on the other hand, the foil will be required so that the panko breading and chicken both cook evenly.
How long can chicken parmesan leftovers be stored?
Once the dish has cooled down, your leftover chicken parmesan cutlets can be stored in an airtight container or bag and kept in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. For longer-term storage, your leftover chicken can be stored in the freezer for up to 4 months.
To reheat, simply thaw if frozen, and heat in the oven at a lower temperature, like 325F, until heated through.
More Chicken Recipes
Looking to create some more delightful chicken dishes? Explore this collection of easy and flavorful recipes that showcase the versatility of this beloved protein.
Chicken Parmesan
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- salt to taste
- pepper to taste
- 1 cup panko
- 1 cup parmesan cheese shredded
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 2 eggs beaten
- ½ cup olive oil
- ½ cup tomato sauce
- ½ cup provolone cheese sliced
- ½ cup mozzarella cheese shredded
- ¼ cup fresh basil
Instructions
- Lay your chicken breasts flat on a sturdy, solid surface and pound them out using a meat mallet.
- Coat them in salt, pepper, and garlic powder and set them aside.
- In a large bowl or plate, add panko and ¾ cup of parmesan. Add flour to a second plate or bowl and beaten eggs to a third.
- Start by dredging a piece of chicken in the flour, then the egg wash, and finally, the panko. Repeat with the remaining chicken.
- Heat your olive oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add your chicken. Cook the chicken for 2-3 minutes on each side until the crust is golden brown. Ensure not to overcrowd the pan. You may have to make multiple batches.
- Remove from the pan and place on some paper towel to absorb excess oil.
- Once the chicken breasts are cooked, place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet, top them with tomato sauce, provolone, mozzarella, and basil, and sprinkle the remaining parmesan.
- Cook for 20-25 minutes at 375F.
- Serve with a side salad, and enjoy!
Nutrition
Video
Notes
- Lay plastic wrap on top of your chicken as you pound it out. This creates less friction between the meat and the mallet.
- If using a baking dish to make your chicken parmesan, preheat it in the oven before adding the breaded chicken. This helps the bottom of the chicken cook evenly and prevents it from sticking.
- Allow the Chicken Parmesan to rest for a few minutes after removing it from the oven. This helps the juices redistribute within the chicken, keeping it moist and tender.