Description
This Chicken Parmesan recipe features tender, breaded chicken cutlets pan-fried to golden perfection and baked with marinara sauce and melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. It’s finished with fresh basil for a classic Italian-American comfort meal perfect for any weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Breading
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup Italian seasoned breadcrumbs
- ¾ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (divided)
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
For Cooking and Topping
- â…“ cup olive oil
- 1 cup marinara sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- 1¼ cups freshly grated low-moisture mozzarella cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 450°F (232°C). Spray a 9×13-inch baking pan with nonstick spray and set it aside to prepare for baking the chicken later.
- Prepare the chicken cutlets: Slice each chicken breast horizontally to create 4 thin cutlets. Cover them with plastic wrap and gently pound with a meat mallet until they reach an even thickness of about ¼-inch, ensuring even cooking.
- Set up the breading station: Arrange three shallow bowls: one with flour, the second with whisked eggs, and the third with a mixture of breadcrumbs, ½ cup Parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
- Bread the chicken: Coat each cutlet in flour first, shaking off the excess. Dip into the beaten eggs, then press into the breadcrumb mixture so it adheres well. Place breaded cutlets on a plate and repeat for all pieces.
- Pan-fry the cutlets: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add two chicken cutlets at a time, cooking for about 2-3 minutes on each side until golden brown.
- Transfer to baking dish: Arrange the browned cutlets in the prepared baking pan. Repeat frying remaining cutlets, adding more oil as needed.
- Add sauce and cheese, then bake: Spoon marinara sauce evenly over each cutlet. Sprinkle with mozzarella and the remaining Parmesan cheese. Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes until the cheese is melted and the chicken is cooked through.
- Garnish and serve: Remove from oven, sprinkle with chopped fresh basil, and serve hot. Enjoy your homemade classic Chicken Parmesan!
Notes
- For juicier chicken, pound cutlets to an even thickness to ensure uniform cooking.
- You can use homemade marinara sauce for a fresher taste or a good quality store-bought version for convenience.
- Make sure the oil is hot enough before frying to get a crispy crust without absorbing too much oil.
- To reduce mess, fry chicken in batches and keep finished pieces warm in the oven while frying the rest.
- Fresh basil adds a bright flavor contrast—feel free to add more if desired.
