The Easiest 5-Star Chicken Parmesan Recipe You’ll Love

Chicken parmesan represents a classic Italian-American comfort dish that changes simple ingredients into something spectacular.

Crispy, golden-brown breading surrounds tender poultry, creating a mouthwatering combination of textures and flavors.

Layers of melted cheese and robust tomato sauce elevate this culinary creation beyond ordinary meals.

Home cooks appreciate how quickly this crowd-pleasing recipe comes together with minimal kitchen effort.

The magic happens when carefully seasoned chicken meets a perfect balance of marinara and creamy cheese.

Professional chefs and home cooks alike have embraced this versatile dish for generations.

Each bite delivers a harmonious blend of savory, tangy, and rich elements that dance across your palate.

Why Easy Chicken Parmesan Is a Classic Made Simple

• Savor Quick Comfort: This chicken parmesan delivers restaurant-quality taste in under an hour, perfect for busy home cooks craving a satisfying meal without complicated techniques.
• Master Foolproof Technique: The step-by-step breading method ensures crispy, golden chicken every time, with foolproof instructions that guarantee success even for novice home chefs.
• Customize with Ease: Versatile recipe allows simple swaps like gluten-free flour or different herbs, making it adaptable for various dietary preferences and flavor experiments.
• Crowd-Pleasing Crowd Wow: Classic Italian-American dish appeals to all ages, transforming an ordinary weeknight dinner into a delightful family feast that looks impressive but requires minimal culinary skills.

Ingredients to Make Easy Chicken Parmesan at Home

• Chicken Breasts, Chicken Cutlets: Lean protein that forms the main dish, choose fresh or thawed chicken with minimal visible fat for best texture.

• Whole Wheat Flour: Provides light base coating for breading, adds nutty whole grain flavor.
• Eggs: Helps breading stick to chicken, creates binding layer for crispy exterior.

• Whole Wheat Bread Crumbs, Parmesan Cheese: Creates crispy, flavorful exterior coating, whole wheat adds nutritional value and extra crunch.
• Dried Basil, Dried Parsley: Herbs that enhance overall flavor profile, provide aromatic Mediterranean essence.

• Mozzarella Cheese: Melts beautifully, adds creamy and stretchy texture to final dish.
• Marinara Sauce: Provides classic Italian-style moisture and tangy tomato flavor.

• Pepper: Adds mild spice and depth to breading mixture, enhances overall taste.

How to Bake or Pan-Fry Chicken Parmesan with Less Fuss

Step 1: Unpack and Prepare Chicken

Gently butterfly chicken breasts by slicing horizontally. Place between plastic wrap and softly pound until uniformly thin. Pat dry with paper towels.

• Chicken breasts
• Plastic wrap
• Meat mallet
• Paper towels

Step 2: Create Breading Mixture

Combine dry and wet ingredients in separate wide, shallow containers.

• Whole wheat flour
• Eggs
• Breadcrumbs
• Parmesan cheese
• Black pepper
• Dried basil
• Dried parsley

Step 3: Craft Chicken Coating

Develop a smooth coating process by dipping chicken through stations.

• Dust chicken in flour
• Dunk in whisked eggs
• Roll in seasoned breadcrumb blend
• Press gently to secure coating

Step 4: Arrange for Baking

Position oven rack in center position. Line baking sheet with parchment paper. Preheat oven to 425°F.

Step 5: Transform Chicken in Oven

Bake chicken for initial 15 minutes. Carefully flip cutlets. Continue baking additional 15 minutes until golden.

Step 6: Add Delicious Toppings

Spread marinara sauce over each cutlet. Sprinkle mozzarella cheese generously.

• Marinara sauce
• Mozzarella cheese

Step 7: Create Crispy Finish

Broil for 2 minutes until cheese melts and edges turn golden brown.

Step 8: Plate and Savor

Serve over pasta or fresh green salad. Garnish with fresh basil leaves if desired.

Tips for Crispy Chicken and Gooey Cheese

• Butterfly with Care: Slice chicken breasts carefully to create even, thin cutlets for consistent cooking and maximum crispiness.
• Breading Technique: Press bread crumb mixture firmly onto chicken to create a thick, crunchy coating that seals in moisture and flavor.
• Temperature Precision: Use an instant-read meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches 165°F internally for perfect food safety without overcooking.
• Cheese Melting Trick: Watch closely during broiling to achieve golden, bubbly cheese without burning the delicate bread crumb coating.
• Freshness Boost: Garnish with fresh basil or parsley just before serving to add a vibrant, aromatic finishing touch to the dish.

Reheating Chicken Parmesan Without Losing Texture

• Refrigerate: Transfer cooled chicken parmesan to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• Reheat in Oven: Preheat oven to 350°F, place chicken on a baking sheet, cover with foil to prevent drying, and warm for 10-15 minutes until heated through.
• Microwave Option: Place chicken on a microwave-safe plate, cover with a damp paper towel, and heat in 30-second intervals until warm, checking to prevent overcooking.

What Complements Chicken Parmesan Best

• Pair with Zesty White Wine: Choose a crisp Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc to cut through the richness of the cheesy chicken, creating a refreshing balance that elevates the entire dining experience.
• Complement with Herbed Garlic Bread: Serve alongside crusty garlic bread sprinkled with fresh herbs to soak up the marinara sauce and provide a crunchy texture contrast to the tender chicken cutlets.
• Create a Fresh Side Salad: Whip up a light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to add brightness and acidity, helping to cleanse the palate between bites of the rich, cheesy chicken parmesan.
• Match with Robust Red Sauce Pasta: Serve over al dente spaghetti or linguine with extra marinara sauce to create a classic Italian-inspired meal that maximizes the dish's flavor profile and satisfying comfort food appeal.

Twist Recipes for Easy Chicken Parmesan

• Spicy Mediterranean Chicken: Replace dried basil with red pepper flakes and add za'atar seasoning to the breading mixture. Top with crumbled feta cheese instead of mozzarella for a zesty Mediterranean-inspired version.
• Gluten-Free Herb Chicken: Swap whole wheat flour and bread crumbs with almond flour and crushed gluten-free crackers. Mix in fresh chopped rosemary and thyme for an aromatic herb-infused coating.
• Lighter Baked Version: Use Greek yogurt instead of eggs for breading. Swap mozzarella with low-fat provolone cheese and add a sprinkle of nutritional yeast for extra flavor. Serve with cauliflower rice for a lighter meal option.
• Crispy Air Fryer Edition: Prepare chicken exactly the same way but cook in an air fryer at 375°F for 12-15 minutes. Skip the final broiling step and instead sprinkle fresh basil leaves on top before serving for a crispier texture.

Easy Chicken Parmesan Recipe

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4.6 from 9 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

This classic Italian-American chicken parmesan brings crispy breaded chicken beneath melted mozzarella and zesty marinara sauce. Hearty comfort flavors meld perfectly with golden-brown chicken, promising a delightful meal you’ll savor to the last bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Proteins:

• 1.5 pounds (680 grams) chicken breasts (about 3 large chicken breasts) OR 1.5 pounds (680 grams) chicken cutlets

Breading and Cheese Components:

• 1 cup whole wheat bread crumbs, unseasoned
• ½ cup parmesan cheese
• 1.5 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• ½ cup whole wheat flour
• 3 large eggs

Herbs and Seasoning:

• ¼ teaspoon pepper
• 2 teaspoons dried basil
• 2 teaspoons dried parsley
• 1.5 cups marinara sauce

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Instructions

1. Transform whole chicken breasts into thin, uniform cutlets by slicing them horizontally and gently pounding between plastic wrap until approximately ¼ inch thick, creating 6 evenly sized pieces.
2. Establish three separate seasoned stations for coating: first with whole wheat flour, second with whisked eggs, and third with a fragrant blend of bread crumbs, parmesan, ground pepper, dried basil, and parsley.
3. Systematically coat each chicken cutlet by dredging first in flour, then submerging in egg wash, and finally rolling thoroughly in the herbed bread crumb mixture, ensuring complete and even coverage.
4. Arrange the meticulously breaded cutlets on a parchment-lined baking sheet, positioning them with careful spacing to promote even heat circulation.
5. Roast the cutlets in a preheated 425°F oven for 15 minutes, then carefully flip each piece to guarantee uniform golden-brown crispiness, continuing to bake for an additional 15 minutes.
6. Lavish each golden cutlet with a generous spoonful of marinara sauce and a blanket of shredded mozzarella, then briefly broil until the cheese transforms into a molten, bubbling layer.
7. Present the crisp, cheesy chicken atop a bed of pasta or alongside a vibrant salad, creating a harmonious and satisfying culinary experience.

Notes

• Crafted with culinary passion, this chicken parmesan transforms simple ingredients into a restaurant-quality dish.
• Precision matters most when butterflying and pounding chicken, ensuring tender, evenly cooked cutlets that melt in your mouth.
• Breading technique creates a golden, crispy exterior that locks in moisture, making each bite a delightful crunch of flavor.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 6g
• Sodium: 800mg
• Fat: 18g
• Saturated Fat: 8g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 39g
• Fiber: 3g
• Protein: 38g
• Cholesterol: 210mg