Simple Italian Chicken Parmesan

Chicken Parmesan is a classic Italian-American dish that’s comforting, delicious, and surprisingly easy to make at home.

With crispy breaded chicken, a rich marinara sauce, and gooey melted mozzarella cheese, this recipe combines all the flavors you love in just 35 minutes.

Cuisine: Italian
Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes minutes
Servings: 4

Why You’ll Love Making It

  • Family-Friendly: Everyone loves Chicken Parmesan, making it an ideal choice for family dinners or entertaining guests.
  • Easy to Make: With step-by-step instructions and simple ingredients, this recipe is perfect even for beginner cooks.
  • Restaurant-Quality Flavor: Crispy breaded chicken topped with rich marinara sauce and gooey, golden-brown mozzarella cheese—it’s just like your favorite Italian restaurant but made in the comfort of your own home.
  • Customizable: Swap out ingredients to suit your taste—use gluten-free breadcrumbs, add a sprinkle of chili flakes for heat, or try a different cheese blend for a unique twist.

Ingredients

  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts: Pound to an even thickness to ensure they cook evenly. Choose fresh chicken for the best flavor and texture.
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour: Helps the egg mixture adhere to the chicken.
  • 2 large eggs: Beaten to create a sticky base for the breadcrumbs to cling to.
  • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs: These create a light, crispy coating. Substitute regular breadcrumbs if needed.
  • 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese: Adds a nutty, savory flavor to the breading. Freshly grated Parmesan works best but pre-grated is fine in a pinch.
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder: Enhances the flavor with a hint of garlicky goodness.
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder: Provides subtle sweetness and depth.
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano: Adds a classic Italian herb flavor.
  • Salt and pepper, to taste: Essential for seasoning each layer.
  • 2 cups marinara sauce: Opt for a high-quality store-bought brand or homemade marinara for the best flavor.
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese: Melts beautifully to create a gooey topping. Feel free to mix in provolone or fontina for variety.
  • Fresh basil leaves (for garnish): Adds a burst of fresh, aromatic flavor to the finished dish.
  • Olive oil: Use just enough to cover the bottom of your skillet. Extra virgin olive oil is ideal for frying and imparts a light flavor.

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Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
  2. Line a baking sheet with foil and place a wire rack on top to keep the chicken crispy. Set it aside.
  3. Gently pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness using a meat mallet or rolling pin. Season both sides with salt and pepper.

Step 2: Set Up the Breading Station

  1. Place flour in a shallow bowl.
  2. In another bowl, beat the eggs until smooth.
  3. Mix the panko breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, and a pinch of salt and pepper in a third bowl.

Step 3: Bread the Chicken

  1. Dredge each chicken breast in the flour, shaking off any excess.
  2. Dip it into the beaten eggs, ensuring it’s fully coated.
  3. Press it into the breadcrumb mixture, making sure all sides are covered. Set the chicken aside on a plate.

Step 4: Fry the Chicken

  1. Heat about 1/4 cup of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
  2. When the oil is hot, add the chicken breasts.
  3. Fry until golden brown and crispy, about 3-4 minutes per side. Transfer the fried chicken to the prepared rack on the baking sheet.

Step 5: Top with Sauce and Cheese

  1. Spoon a generous amount of marinara sauce over each piece of chicken.
  2. Sprinkle with shredded mozzarella cheese and any remaining Parmesan mixture.

Step 6: Broil the Chicken

  1. Turn your oven to the broil setting.
  2. Place the chicken under the broiler and watch carefully as the cheese melts and turns golden brown with some spots, about 2 minutes.

FAQs

Can I use pre-made marinara sauce?

Yes, using store-bought marinara sauce is perfectly fine and can save time. Just choose a high-quality brand for the best flavor.

What if I don’t have a broiler?

If your oven doesn’t have a broiler, you can bake the chicken at 450°F (232°C) for an additional 5-7 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Simple Italian Chicken Parmesan

This easy Chicken Parmesan recipe features crispy, breaded chicken breasts topped with marinara sauce and melted mozzarella, perfect for a quick and delicious homemade meal.
Print Pin Rate
Cuisine: Italian
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 4

Ingredients

  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breast
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 1 cup grated parmesan cheese
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 cups marinara sauce
  • 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • fresh basil leaves for garnish
  • olive oil for frying

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with foil and place a wire rack on top. This will help the chicken stay crispy. Set it aside. Gently pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness using a meat mallet or rolling pin. Season both sides with salt and pepper.
  2. Place flour in a shallow bowl. In another bowl, beat the eggs until smooth. In a third bowl, mix together the panko breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, and dried oregano.
  3. Dredge each chicken breast in flour, shaking off any excess. Next, dip it into the beaten eggs, ensuring it’s fully coated. Finally, press it into the breadcrumb mixture, making sure all sides are covered. Set the chicken aside on a plate.
  4. Spoon a generous amount of marinara sauce over each piece of chicken. Sprinkle with shredded mozzarella cheese and any remaining Parmesan mixture.
  5. Turn your oven to the broil setting. Place the chicken under the broiler and watch carefully as the cheese melts and turns golden brown with some spots, about 2 minutes.
  6. Remove the chicken from the oven and let it cool slightly. Transfer to plates, top with fresh basil, and serve with the remaining marinara sauce on the side.

13 thoughts on “Simple Italian Chicken Parmesan”

  1. I just tried making this and wow, so good! More easy than I thought it would be, might skip the broil part next time cause my cheese got a lil too crispy. Thanks for sharing, Sandra!

    Reply

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