Description
This classic Chicken Parmesan recipe features tender breaded chicken cutlets, topped with melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheese baked to perfection with flavorful marinara sauce. Perfect as a comforting and satisfying main course, it offers a crispy golden crust with gooey cheesy goodness, ideal for an easy weeknight dinner or special occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken
- 3 chicken breasts, sliced in half length-wise to create 6 cutlets
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour (can also use gluten-free flour blend or white whole wheat)
- 3 eggs, whisked
- 1/3 cup olive oil
Breadcrumbs
- 1 1/2 cups breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, shredded
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 2 tsp Italian herb blend (thyme, oregano, basil, rosemary)
- 1 tsp garlic powder
For the Topping
- 6 slices Mozzarella
- 1 1/2 cups marinara sauce
- 1/3 cup parmesan cheese, shredded
- 2 tbsp fresh basil, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit to prepare for baking the chicken Parmesan.
- Tenderize Chicken: Place chicken cutlets in a large ziplock bag or between parchment paper sheets and pound with a rolling pin or meat hammer until 1/2 inch thick. Remove and pat dry.
- Prepare Breadcrumb Mixture: In a shallow dish, combine breadcrumbs, 1/2 cup shredded parmesan, salt, pepper, Italian herbs, and garlic powder.
- Set Up Breading Station: Arrange three shallow dishes with flour, whisked eggs, and breadcrumb mixture for dredging.
- Bread Chicken: Dredge each cutlet first in flour, shaking off excess, then dip into eggs, followed by pressing firmly into breadcrumb mixture to coat evenly. Repeat for all cutlets.
- Brown Chicken: Heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil over low to medium heat in a skillet. Cook chicken for 2-3 minutes on each side until breading is golden and crisp.
- Layer and Bake: Arrange browned chicken cutlets in a baking dish. Top each with a slice of mozzarella and spoon marinara sauce over. Bake uncovered at 425 degrees Fahrenheit for 14 minutes.
- Add Parmesan and Broil: Remove the dish, sprinkle 1/3 cup shredded parmesan cheese over the top, then broil on high for 1 minute until cheese is melted and browned.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle chopped fresh basil over the baked chicken Parmesan and serve hot.
Notes
- For a lighter version with less oil, bake the breaded chicken cutlets at 450 degrees Fahrenheit for 25 minutes, then add toppings and bake an additional 5 minutes before broiling for 1 minute.
- Serve with your favorite pasta or an Italian salad like Tuscan artichoke or chopped salad for a complete meal.
- Fresh basil adds a lovely fresh flavor; feel free to substitute with fresh parsley if needed.
- Use gluten-free flour and breadcrumbs for a gluten-free version.
- The dish can be frozen after cooking; reheat thoroughly before serving.
- Use a cast iron skillet or heavy-bottomed pan to better brown the chicken.
- Make sure chicken pieces are pounded evenly to ensure uniform cooking.
