If you’re looking for comfort food that never fails to impress, Easy Chicken Parmesan is your ticket to dinnertime applause. Bubbly cheese, crisp chicken, and rich marinara all come together in a hearty, Italian-American classic that’s simple enough for a busy weeknight, yet special enough to share with loved ones. This dish is all about golden, flavorful chicken cutlets topped with a melty duo of mozzarella and Parmesan, baked to perfection, and crowned with fresh basil. Trust me: Easy Chicken Parmesan lets you channel your inner Italian chef with minimal fuss, maximum flavor, and guaranteed smiles at the table.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The greatness of Easy Chicken Parmesan lies in a short, superstar ingredient list. Each one is chosen to deliver layers of flavor, a crisp-crunchy bite, and that signature gooey cheese pull. Together, they create the taste and texture you crave in this classic dish.
- Chicken breasts: Boneless, skinless and pounded thin for even cooking and juicy results in every bite.
- Italian-style breadcrumbs: Infused with Italian herbs for extra flavor and irresistibly crisp coating.
- Parmesan cheese: Adds a nutty, salty punch to the breading, turning the crust golden and rich.
- Large eggs: The binding hero that helps the flavorful breading stick beautifully to the chicken.
- All-purpose flour: Creates a base layer for maximum crisp, ensuring the breading adheres like a dream.
- Marinara sauce: Lusciously tangy and savory, this sauce infuses every bite with classic Italian comfort.
- Shredded mozzarella cheese: Gives that gooey, stretchy topping every Chicken Parmesan lover adores.
- Fresh basil (optional): A sprinkle just before serving brightens and freshens every bite; totally worth it!
- Salt and pepper: Simple, essential seasonings to bring out every flavor in the dish.
- Olive oil: For achieving that irresistible pan-seared golden crust before the cheese finale.
How to Make Easy Chicken Parmesan
Step 1: Prep the Chicken
Start by pounding the chicken breasts until they’re an even 1/2-inch thick. This helps them cook uniformly and stay tender. Don’t forget to season both sides with salt and pepper—the foundation of great flavor starts here.
Step 2: Set Up Your Breading Station
Arrange three shallow bowls: one for flour, one for beaten eggs, and a third for the blended Italian breadcrumbs and Parmesan. This classic breading setup makes coating the chicken clean and super efficient, ensuring each piece gets the perfect crunch.
Step 3: Bread the Chicken
Dredge each chicken breast in flour first, tap off the excess, then dip into the eggs for maximum stickiness. Finally, coat all sides thoroughly in the breadcrumb-Parmesan mix, gently pressing so everything adheres—this is where the magic of that crisp crust begins!
Step 4: Sear Until Golden
Heat the olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Brown the chicken for 2–3 minutes per side. You’re not cooking them through yet—just developing that signature golden, crunchy exterior that stands up under marinara and cheese.
Step 5: Add Sauce and Cheese
Remove the skillet from the heat. Spoon marinara sauce over each chicken breast—don’t be shy, the sauce keeps everything juicy. Then go bold with the mozzarella, sprinkling it generously to cover every piece. There’s no such thing as too much cheese here!
Step 6: Bake to Perfection
Transfer your loaded skillet to a 400°F (200°C) oven. Bake for 15–20 minutes, or until the chicken is just cooked through and the cheese is gloriously melted and bubbling. In the last couple of minutes, you can switch on the broiler for extra browning if you like it extra gooey and golden.
Step 7: Garnish and Serve
Top with chopped fresh basil right before serving for that irresistible Italian aroma and color. Dive in while it’s hot, cheesy, and absolutely mouthwatering!
How to Serve Easy Chicken Parmesan
Garnishes
Brighten the final dish with a sprinkle of fresh basil or even a light dusting of extra Parmesan cheese. A little fresh basil not only adds color, but gives each bite an added pop of freshness that balances out all that cheesy richness.
Side Dishes
Easy Chicken Parmesan is a superstar on its own, but it loves good company. Serve it atop a nest of spaghetti for classic appeal, or pair with a crisp Italian salad and a hunk of garlic bread. Lightly steamed green beans or roasted veggies also make fabulous, colorful sides.
Creative Ways to Present
Switch up the Easy Chicken Parmesan experience by serving it on toasted ciabatta rolls as a hearty sandwich, chop it into bite-sized pieces for a party platter, or layer it over creamy polenta for a comforting twist that will wow your guests.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled, store any leftover Easy Chicken Parmesan in an airtight container in the fridge. It keeps well for up to 3 days, and reheating brings back that cozy, cheesy goodness for another satisfying meal.
Freezing
For longer storage, wrap individual portions tightly in foil and place in a freezer-safe bag or container. The breading will soften slightly after thawing, but the flavors remain incredible for up to 2 months.
Reheating
Reheat Easy Chicken Parmesan in a 350°F (175°C) oven, uncovered, until hot and the cheese is bubbly again—about 15 minutes if thawed, 25 minutes from frozen. Avoid the microwave if you can, as it tends to soften the crust.
FAQs
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Absolutely! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs work just as well and tend to stay a bit juicier, though you may need to adjust the cooking time slightly since they’re often smaller and thinner.
How do I make Easy Chicken Parmesan gluten-free?
Simply swap in your favorite gluten-free flour blend and gluten-free breadcrumbs. Everything else in this recipe stays delightfully the same!
Can I make this recipe ahead for a dinner party?
Definitely. You can bread and sear the chicken earlier in the day, then top with sauce and cheese just before baking. This makes Easy Chicken Parmesan perfect for entertaining without last-minute stress.
Is it okay to use store-bought marinara sauce?
Of course! While homemade marinara is wonderful, a good-quality store-bought version works perfectly and keeps this dish true to its “easy” promise. Just choose one with flavors you love.
What’s the best way to ensure crispy breading?
Pound the chicken evenly, dredge in flour first, and don’t overcrowd the pan when searing—it’s key for that crisp exterior. Adding a little extra Parmesan to the breading also helps with golden crunch and flavor.
Final Thoughts
There’s nothing quite like the comfort and joy of sharing Easy Chicken Parmesan—you’ll be amazed at how something so straightforward delivers such crowd-pleasing results. Give it a try, and let this classic become your own weeknight or special occasion favorite!
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Easy Chicken Parmesan Recipe
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in a classic Italian-American favorite with this Easy Chicken Parmesan recipe. Tender chicken breasts are coated in breadcrumbs and Parmesan, then baked with marinara sauce and mozzarella until gooey and delicious. Perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner!
Ingredients
Chicken Parmesan:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup Italian-style breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Pound and season: Pound the chicken breasts to 1/2-inch thickness, season with salt and pepper.
- Breading station: Set up three bowls with flour, beaten eggs, and breadcrumb-Parmesan mixture.
- Coat chicken: Dredge chicken in flour, then eggs, then breadcrumb mixture.
- Heat oil: Heat olive oil in a skillet and sear chicken until golden.
- Add sauce and cheese: Top chicken with marinara and mozzarella.
- Bake: Bake for 15–20 minutes until cooked through and cheese is bubbly.
- Garnish and serve: Garnish with basil and serve hot over pasta or with a side salad.
Notes
- For a crispier crust, use panko breadcrumbs.
- You can substitute store-bought marinara with homemade if preferred.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking, Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 45g
- Cholesterol: 155mg
