Description
Classic Chicken Parmesan is a beloved Italian-American dish featuring breaded and fried chicken breasts topped with marinara sauce and melted mozzarella cheese, then baked to perfection for a crispy, flavorful meal that serves four.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 large Chicken Breasts (Boneless, skinless, approximately 1 pound total)
Dredging Station
- 1 cup All-Purpose Flour (Seasoned with salt and pepper)
- 2 large Eggs (Beaten)
- 1 cup Italian-style Breadcrumbs (Pre-seasoned for added flavor)
- ½ cup Parmesan Cheese (Freshly grated)
Sauce and Cheese
- 2 cups Marinara Sauce (Homemade or high-quality store-bought)
- 1 cup Shredded Mozzarella Cheese (Whole milk mozzarella recommended)
Cooking Fat
- ½ cup Olive Oil (For frying)
Garnish
- 1 handful Fresh Basil (For garnish, optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for baking the assembled chicken parmesan.
- Pound Chicken: Pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness of about ½ inch to ensure uniform cooking.
- Prepare Dredging Station: Set up three shallow dishes containing seasoned flour, beaten eggs, and a mixture of Italian-style breadcrumbs combined with freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
- Coat Chicken: Dredge each chicken breast first in the seasoned flour, then dip it into the beaten eggs, and finally coat thoroughly with the breadcrumb and Parmesan mixture.
- Heat Oil: Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat, ensuring it is hot enough for frying but not smoking.
- Fry Chicken: Fry the breaded chicken breasts for about 3-4 minutes on each side until they develop a golden-brown crust.
- Assemble Dish: In a baking dish, spread a layer of marinara sauce, place the fried chicken breasts on top, spoon more marinara over them, and sprinkle generously with shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Bake: Bake the assembled dish in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from the oven, garnish with fresh basil leaves if desired, and serve immediately for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Ensure chicken breasts are pounded evenly to avoid undercooked or overcooked spots.
- Use fresh Parmesan cheese in the breadcrumb mixture for optimal flavor.
- Whole milk mozzarella melts better and gives a creamier texture than part-skim.
- If preferred, bake instead of fry by coating chicken with cooking spray and baking at 425°F for 20-25 minutes.
- Fresh basil garnish adds brightness but can be omitted if unavailable.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated up to 3 days and reheated in the oven for best texture preservation.
