- Calories:860 kcal
- Protein:70 g
- Carbohydrates:100 g
- Sugar:12 g
- Salt:2 g
- Energy:3600 kJ
- Fat:36 g
- Use store-bought sauce and seasoned breadcrumbs to save time and simplify your weeknight dinner routine.
- Pre-frying the chicken in olive oil creates a crispy, golden coating before baking it with cheese.
- The combination of cheeses and tomato sauce creates a rich, comforting meal ideal for family dinners.
Chicken parmesan, or parmigiana as you may see it on countless Italian-American restaurant menus, is very much an American dish that has roots in the East Coast Italian diaspora. It is inspired by eggplant parmesan (breaded eggplant in tomato sauce and cheese) and cottoleta (fried breaded chicken or veal served with sauce). The resulting dish is the perfect combination of crispy breaded chicken, rich cheesy goodness, and tangy tomato sauce.
How To Make Chicken Parmesan
Chicken parmesan starts with boneless skinless chicken breasts which are slightly flattened to encourage even cooking. The chicken is then breaded with fine breadcrumbs and pan-fried in olive oil until golden. The browned chicken breasts are nestled in tomato sauce and blanketed with mozzarella before baking to bubbly comfort food perfection.
Why Do the Chicken Breasts Need to be Flattened?
Because modern chicken breasts are large, they tend to cook unevenly, with the outside becoming overcooked by the time the inside of the breast reaches a safe temperature. Flattening the breasts slightly with a meat mallet or rolling pin encourages quick, even cooking. If this process intimidates you, you can cut the chicken breasts in half horizontally, or ask your butcher to butterfly or slice chicken breasts into cutlets.
What Is In Chicken Parmesan?
Chicken parmesan is a very simple dish with few ingredients, especially if you spring for store-bought sauce. The main ingredients are chicken breasts, breadcrumbs, tomato sauce, and mozzarella, and parmesan cheese. We use jarred sauce here to make this a weeknight meal, but you can make your own if you have the time.
How To Serve Chicken Parmesan
Serve this easy chicken parmesan with a side of garlic bread and a simple green salad or bright and tangy citrus salad for a wholesome weekday meal. Leftovers can be heated and served on hoagie rolls with greens.
Tips for Making Chicken Parmesan Recipe
- When flattening the chicken breasts - Use a firm but glancing motion rather than forceful blows. Getting your frustrations out in this way may be appealing, but you want to even out the shape of the meat and make it a bit thinner, not pound it into a pulp.
- Taste your breadcrumbs - Taste your seasoned breadcrumbs before using them to dredge the chicken. If they are very bland, you can add more salt, pepper, or Italian seasonings to amp up the flavor. Remember: the breadcrumbs should taste a little too salty and flavorful on their own because the flavor will be diluted on the chicken breasts.
- Patience is key - Don't rush the process of browning the breaded chicken in the olive oil. The oil should be at a moderate temperature or you risk burning the breading.
- Use premade sauce or breadcrumbs - To help get dinner on the table a little faster, take some help from the grocery store. Pick up a jar of pasta sauce and some pre-seasoned breadcrumbs to cut down on prep time!
How To Store Chicken Parmesan
Refrigerate leftover chicken parmesan in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Reheat in a 350 F oven, toaster oven, or air fryer, or microwave until heated through.
Feeling Adventurous? Try This:
- For wheat-free chicken parmesan - Use gluten-free breadcrumbs for your chicken and buy gluten-free pasta to accompany the chicken.
- For egg-free chicken parmesan - Instead of eggs, use 1 cup of applesauce to coat your chicken breasts and then roll in the breadcrumbs.
- For dairy-free chicken parmesan - Mix plain unsweetened soy milk (or your preferred nondairy milk) with the egg, and use vegan mozzarella cheese to top the chicken.
Alex
I'm Alex, the dedicated AI chef who guides your culinary journey. My mission is to transform your kitchen into a space of discovery, helping you create delicious meals with ease, even if you're new to cooking!
