Description
This Best Chicken Parmesan recipe delivers a classic Italian-American favorite with crispy breaded chicken cutlets topped with mozzarella and marinara sauce, baked to perfection with a golden parmesan crust and fresh basil garnish. Perfect for an easy, comforting dinner that pairs well with pasta or a crisp salad.
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 cheese
- 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 the chicken cutlets between sheets of parchment paper or in a large ziplock bag. Use a rolling pin or meat hammer to pound them until they are 1/2 inch thick. Remove and pat dry the cutlets with paper towels.
- Prepare Breadcrumbs: In a shallow dish, combine breadcrumbs, 1/2 cup parmesan, salt, pepper, Italian herb blend, and garlic powder. Mix well.
- Set Up Breading Station: Arrange three shallow dishes: one with flour, one with whisked eggs, and one with the breadcrumb mixture.
- Bread the Chicken: Coat each chicken cutlet first in flour, shaking off excess, then dip into the eggs, and finally press into the breadcrumb mixture to coat both sides thoroughly.
- Brown the Chicken: Heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil over low to medium heat in a skillet. Brown each breaded cutlet for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown.
- Layer and Bake: Place the browned cutlets in a large baking dish. Top each with a slice of mozzarella cheese and spoon marinara sauce over that. Bake uncovered for 14 minutes at 425°F.
- Add Parmesan and Broil: Remove the baking dish from the oven and sprinkle shredded parmesan cheese on top. Broil on high for 1 minute until the cheese is melted and browned.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle chopped fresh basil over the chicken parmesan and serve immediately.
Notes
- For a lower oil option, bake the breaded chicken cutlets in a well-oiled pan at 450°F for 25 minutes, then add toppings and bake 5 more minutes before broiling.
- Serve with your favorite pasta shapes or Italian salads like Tuscan artichoke or Italian chopped salad.
- Crusty breads such as country sourdough or Italian bread accompany this dish beautifully.
- Ensure chicken cutlets are uniformly pounded for even cooking.
- Use fresh mozzarella for best melting and flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 140 mg
