Description
Homemade chicken parmesan delivers classic Italian-American comfort at its finest. Crispy breaded chicken nestles under marinara and melted cheese, promising a satisfying meal that connects culinary traditions with pure deliciousness you can savor.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 1/2 cups marinara sauce
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Coating Ingredients:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 1 1/2 cups Italian breadcrumbs
Seasonings and Additional Ingredients:
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped (optional)
- Olive oil, for frying
Instructions
- Heat oven to 400°F (200°C), preparing for a crispy, golden chicken dish.
- Tenderize chicken breasts to uniform thickness, seasoning generously with salt and pepper for enhanced flavor.
- Create three distinct coating stations: flour for initial dredging, whisked eggs for binding, and seasoned breadcrumb-Parmesan mixture for final crispy layer.
- Carefully coat each chicken piece first in flour, ensuring complete coverage, then dip thoroughly in egg wash, and finally roll in seasoned breadcrumb mixture for maximum crunch.
- Warm olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, creating a perfect searing environment for golden-brown exterior.
- Fry chicken pieces for 3-4 minutes per side, developing a rich, crisp coating that seals in moisture.
- Transfer golden chicken to baking sheet, lavishly top with marinara sauce, spreading evenly for complete coverage.
- Sprinkle shredded mozzarella generously over sauced chicken, creating a melty, cheesy surface.
- Bake for 10-15 minutes until cheese transforms into a bubbly, slightly browned blanket and chicken reaches safe internal temperature.
- Finish by scattering fresh basil leaves, adding a vibrant, aromatic garnish that elevates the entire dish.
Notes
- Tenderize chicken evenly to ensure uniform cooking and crispy texture throughout the meat.
- Use a meat mallet or rolling pin to pound chicken breasts gently, preventing tearing and creating consistent thickness.
- Pat chicken dry before coating to help breading adhere better and create a crispier exterior.
- Mix breadcrumbs with additional herbs like oregano or parsley for extra flavor complexity.
- Choose high-quality marinara sauce or make homemade for more robust taste.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for richer, more authentic flavor compared to pre-grated cheese.
- Let chicken rest for a few minutes after baking to help cheese set and prevent burning your mouth.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 460 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 26 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 43 g
- Cholesterol: 130 mg