Description
This Easy Chicken Parmesan recipe features crispy breaded chicken breasts topped with savory marinara sauce and melted mozzarella cheese, baked to perfection. A classic Italian-American dish that’s simple to prepare and perfect for a family dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Breading
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 large egg (or 2 if needed)
- â…“ cup Panko bread crumbs
- â…“ cup bread crumbs
- â…“ cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt & pepper, to taste
Chicken
- 4 chicken breasts (each around 5-6 oz)
- Salt & pepper, to taste
- 4 tablespoons olive oil
Toppings
- 2 cups marinara sauce (jarred or homemade)
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Prepare breading: Place flour in a shallow bowl, beat the egg(s) in a second shallow bowl. In a third shallow dish, combine Panko, bread crumbs, â…“ cup parmesan cheese, dried parsley, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper on all sides.
- Bread chicken: Coat each chicken breast with flour, shaking off any excess. Then dredge the floured chicken through the beaten egg, ensuring even coverage. Finally, press the bread crumb mixture onto the chicken until it is thickly coated, about ½ to ¾ inch thick.
- Prep oven: Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Lightly grease a sheet pan with some olive oil.
- Brown chicken: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil per chicken breast in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Brown the chicken breasts in two batches for 2 minutes per side, taking care not to dislodge the breading while flipping.
- Assemble chicken parmesan: Transfer the browned chicken breasts to the prepared sheet pan. Spoon about ½ cup marinara sauce on each piece. Sprinkle ¼ cup parmesan cheese and 1 cup mozzarella cheese evenly over the chicken.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes until almost cooked through. Then, add the remaining mozzarella cheese on top of each chicken breast and continue baking for about 5 more minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Serve immediately.
Notes
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken reaches the safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- If you prefer extra crispy chicken, broil for 1-2 minutes at the end, watching carefully to avoid burning.
- Fresh parsley can be added as a garnish for extra flavor and color.
- You can use homemade or high-quality jarred marinara sauce depending on your preference.
- If the breading starts to fall off, chill the breaded chicken in the refrigerator for 15 minutes before cooking to help it set.
