Description
My Chicken Parmesan is a classic Italian-American dish featuring perfectly crispy breaded chicken breasts topped with rich marinara sauce and melty fresh mozzarella cheese, baked to bubbly perfection. This comforting, flavorful meal is easy to prepare and perfect for family dinners or impressing guests, with customizable options to suit dietary preferences.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Coating
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (pounded to ½ inch thickness)
- 1 cup all-purpose flour mixed with 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 1 cup Italian breadcrumbs
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Cheese and Sauce
- 8 oz fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced
- 1 cup marinara sauce (homemade or high-quality store-bought)
Frying
- Olive oil (enough for frying, about ¼ inch deep in skillet)
Seasonings
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning (mixed with flour)
- Optional: Garlic powder, red pepper flakes (for spicy variation)
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts to an even thickness of about half an inch to ensure even cooking and prevent drying out.
- Set Up the Breading Station: Arrange three shallow dishes: one with all-purpose flour mixed with Italian seasoning, one with beaten eggs, and one with a mixture of Italian breadcrumbs and freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
- Coat the Chicken: Dredge each chicken breast first in the seasoned flour, then dip into the beaten eggs, and finally press firmly into the breadcrumb and Parmesan mixture to fully coat. This triple coating creates the crispy crust.
- Fry the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Fry the breaded chicken breasts for about 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown and crispy. Remove and drain on paper towels to maintain crispiness.
- Assemble the Dish: Place the fried chicken breasts in a baking dish. Spoon warm marinara sauce evenly over each piece, then top generously with slices of fresh mozzarella cheese.
- Bake to Perfection: Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 20 minutes or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and starting to brown lightly.
- Serve and Enjoy: Let the chicken rest for a few minutes after baking. Serve with your favorite sides. The combination of crunchy chicken and gooey cheese is sure to delight.
Notes
- Ensure chicken breasts are of even thickness for uniform cooking.
- Pat chicken dry before breading for better coating adhesion.
- Do not overcrowd the skillet when frying to keep oil temperature steady and ensure crispiness.
- Use fresh mozzarella for a creamier, better melting cheese experience.
- Warm the marinara sauce before spooning it over the chicken to keep the crust crispy.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying, Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with sauce and cheese
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 680 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg