Classic Chicken Parmesan
Chicken Parmesan is a classic Italian-American dish built on breaded, pan-fried chicken cutlets topped with marinara sauce and melted mozzarella and Parmesan. The key is getting a golden, crispy crust before the cheese goes under the broiler. It comes together in about 30 minutes and works equally well for a weeknight family dinner or casual entertaining.
Equipment
- Large skillet
- Oven-safe baking dish
- Meat mallet or rolling pin
- Mixing bowls
- Tongs
- Paper towels
- Aluminum Foil
Ingredients
- 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts sliced in half horizontally to make 4 thinner cutlets
- 1 cup all-purpose flour for dredging
- 2 large eggs beaten
- 1.5 cups Italian-style breadcrumbs use seasoned breadcrumbs for best flavor
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese freshly grated for best flavor
- ⅓ cup olive oil for frying
- 2 cups marinara sauce homemade or good quality store-bought
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese use whole milk mozzarella for better melt and flavor
- ¼ cup fresh basil leaves chiffonade or torn
- 1 pinch salt for seasoning, to taste
- 1 pinch black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prep the Chicken: Slice each chicken breast in half horizontally. Place between two pieces of plastic wrap and pound to 1/2-inch thickness using a meat mallet or rolling pin. Season both sides with salt and pepper.
- Dredge the Cutlets: Place flour, beaten eggs, and a mixture of breadcrumbs with Parmesan in three separate shallow bowls. Dredge each chicken cutlet in flour, shaking off excess, dip in egg, then coat thoroughly in breadcrumb-Parmesan mixture. Press gently to adhere.
- Fry the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once shimmering, add cutlets and fry 3–4 minutes per side until golden brown. Transfer to paper towels to drain.
- Assemble and Bake: Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Spread 1 cup marinara sauce in the bottom of a baking dish. Place fried cutlets over sauce. Top each with remaining marinara, mozzarella, and extra Parmesan if desired. Tent with foil.
- Bake and Finish: Bake for 10–12 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly. Remove foil for last 2 minutes for browning. Sprinkle fresh basil before serving.
Notes
- For a gluten-free version, use almond flour and gluten-free breadcrumbs.
- To save time, you can prepare and bread the cutlets ahead and refrigerate until ready to cook.
- Use a blend of mozzarella and provolone for added depth of flavor.
Nutrition
Calories: 712kcalCarbohydrates: 64gProtein: 36gFat: 35gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 18gTrans Fat: 0.02gCholesterol: 163mgSodium: 1688mgPotassium: 794mgFiber: 5gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 1146IUVitamin C: 11mgCalcium: 375mgIron: 6mg
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