Description
Scrumptious Chicken Parmesan emerges as a classic Italian-American comfort dish that delights taste buds with crispy breaded chicken and melted cheese. Layers of marinara sauce, golden-brown chicken, and bubbling mozzarella create a mouthwatering experience you’ll savor with pure culinary joy.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Protein:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Cheeses:
- 0.5 cups grated Parmesan cheese
- 1.5 cups shredded or sliced mozzarella cheese
Breading and Seasoning Ingredients:
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup Italian-style breadcrumbs
- Salt (to season)
- Black pepper (to season)
Sauce and Herbs:
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- Fresh basil (optional)
Cooking Ingredients:
- Olive oil (for frying)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C), creating an ideal cooking environment for the chicken.
- Thoroughly season chicken breasts with salt and pepper, ensuring even flavor distribution.
- Establish a three-stage coating process: first dredge chicken in flour, creating a light base layer.
- Dip the floured chicken into beaten eggs, allowing for a smooth adhesive surface.
- Roll the egg-coated chicken in a blend of breadcrumbs and Parmesan, generating a crispy exterior.
- Warm olive oil in a skillet over medium heat, preparing for precise pan-frying.
- Carefully fry chicken pieces until achieving a golden-brown crust, approximately 3-4 minutes per side.
- Transfer the crispy chicken to a baking dish, arranging pieces without overcrowding.
- Generously ladle marinara sauce over each chicken piece, ensuring complete coverage.
- Sprinkle mozzarella cheese across the sauced chicken, creating a melty, appetizing layer.
- Place the prepared dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes until cheese becomes melted and slightly bubbling.
- Optional: Garnish with fresh basil leaves for an aromatic finish.
- Serve immediately while hot, maintaining the crispness of the breading and the warmth of the cheese.
Notes
- Select chicken breasts of uniform thickness to ensure even cooking and crispy coating.
- Pat chicken completely dry before seasoning to help breading adhere perfectly and create a crunchier exterior.
- Use fresh breadcrumbs instead of store-bought for a lighter, more flavorful breading that crisps up beautifully.
- For a gluten-free version, replace wheat flour with almond flour or cornstarch and use gluten-free breadcrumbs or crushed gluten-free crackers.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 28 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 480 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 45 g
- Cholesterol: 130 mg