Description
This Classic Chicken Parmesan recipe combines crispy breaded chicken breasts with rich marinara sauce and melted mozzarella cheese, finished with a fresh basil garnish. A perfect comforting Italian-American dish that’s easy to prepare and loved by the whole family.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 1.5 pounds Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts (Pounded to an even thickness for uniform cooking.)
- Salt and Pepper, to taste (For seasoning.)
Breading
- 1.5 cups Italian-style Breadcrumbs (For a crunchy coating.)
- 0.5 cups Freshly Grated Parmesan Cheese (Enhances flavor when mixed with breadcrumbs.)
- 2 large Eggs (Used for the egg wash.)
Cooking
- 0.5 cups Olive Oil (For frying the chicken.)
Topping and Garnish
- 2 cups Marinara Sauce (Store-bought or homemade.)
- 1.5 cups Shredded Mozzarella Cheese (For topping the chicken.)
- 1 handful Fresh Basil Leaves (For garnish.)
Instructions
- Prepare Chicken: Pound chicken breasts to an even thickness of about 1/2 inch for uniform cooking. Season both sides with salt and pepper.
- Set up Breading Station: In one bowl, whisk the eggs to create an egg wash. In another bowl, mix the Italian-style breadcrumbs and freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
- Heat Oil: Pour olive oil into a skillet and heat it over medium heat until hot but not smoking.
- Bread the Chicken: Dip each chicken breast first into the egg wash, ensuring it is fully coated, then dredge it in the breadcrumb and Parmesan mixture until evenly coated on all sides.
- Fry Chicken: Carefully place the breaded chicken in the hot olive oil. Fry for 4-5 minutes on each side or until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through.
- Drain Excess Oil: Transfer the fried chicken onto a paper towel-lined plate to absorb excess oil.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Dish: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Spread a thin layer of marinara sauce evenly in the bottom of a baking dish.
- Assemble for Baking: Place the fried chicken breasts on top of the marinara sauce. Spoon additional marinara sauce over each piece, then sprinkle shredded mozzarella evenly on top.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
- Rest and Garnish: Remove from oven and let the chicken rest for a few minutes. Garnish with fresh basil leaves before serving hot.
Notes
- For extra flavor, consider adding garlic powder or Italian seasoning to the breadcrumb mixture.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) for safety.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven for best texture.
- To make this dish lighter, bake the breaded chicken before adding sauce and cheese instead of frying.
- Freshly grated Parmesan offers better flavor than pre-grated cheese.
