Description
This classic Chicken Parmesan recipe features crispy breaded chicken breasts topped with savory tomato sauce, melted mozzarella, provolone, and Parmesan cheeses, all baked to bubbly perfection. Ready in just 35 minutes, it’s a satisfying Italian-American favorite perfect for a hearty weeknight meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Coating
- 4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup panko bread crumbs (or more as needed)
- ¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (or more if needed)
- ½ cup olive oil for frying (or as needed)
Toppings and Sauce
- ½ cup prepared tomato sauce
- ¼ cup fresh mozzarella, cut into small cubes
- ¼ cup chopped fresh basil
- ½ cup grated provolone cheese
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for baking the assembled chicken parmesan.
- Season Chicken: Season the chicken breasts evenly on both sides with salt and freshly ground black pepper to enhance flavor.
- Prepare Coating Bowls: Set up three separate bowls: one with all-purpose flour, one with the beaten eggs, and one with panko bread crumbs mixed with half of the grated Parmesan cheese.
- Coat Chicken: Dredge each chicken breast first in flour, then dip into the beaten eggs, and finally coat thoroughly with the panko-Parmesan mixture to create a crispy crust when fried.
- Fry Chicken: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Fry the coated chicken breasts until golden brown on both sides, approximately 3 to 4 minutes per side, ensuring they are cooked through and crispy.
- Assemble in Baking Dish: Transfer the fried chicken breasts to a baking dish. Spoon a generous amount of tomato sauce over each piece, then top them with cubed fresh mozzarella, grated provolone cheese, chopped fresh basil, and the remaining Parmesan cheese.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the cheeses are melted, bubbly, and slightly golden.
- Serve: Serve the Chicken Parmesan hot, pairing it ideally with a fresh Caesar salad and a cold raspberry lemonade for a balanced and delightful meal.
Notes
- Use panko bread crumbs for extra crunch; regular bread crumbs can be used but may result in a less crispy texture.
- If chicken breasts are very thick, consider pounding them to an even thickness for uniform cooking.
- Leftover Chicken Parmesan can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven to maintain crispiness.
- Fresh basil adds a bright, aromatic flavor, but you can substitute with dried basil if unavailable, though fresh is preferred.
- For a lighter version, bake the breaded chicken instead of frying, though frying yields the best traditional texture and flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Keywords: Chicken Parmesan, Breaded Chicken, Italian Chicken, Fried Chicken Recipe, Baked Chicken, Italian-American Cuisine, Comfort Food
