Chicken Parmesan Recipe

When you first tasted chicken parmesan at your favorite Italian restaurant, you probably wondered how to recreate that crispy, cheesy masterpiece at home. This classic dish might seem intimidating, but with the right technique, you'll transform simple ingredients into a restaurant-quality meal. Want to impress your family and master a timeless recipe that combines crisp chicken, tangy marinara, and melted mozzarella? Stick around, and you'll learn how to elevate your home cooking game.

Recipe Highlights

• Pound chicken breasts to 1/2-inch thickness, ensuring uniform cooking and creating the perfect base for a crispy, golden exterior.
• Create a classic breading station with whisked eggs and seasoned breadcrumbs, completely coating the chicken for maximum crispiness.
• Pan-fry chicken in hot oil at medium-high heat until golden brown, then finish in the oven with marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese.
• Top with freshly shredded mozzarella and bake until cheese is melted and bubbly, creating a restaurant-quality dish at home.
• Let the chicken parmesan rest for 5 minutes after cooking to allow flavors to meld and cheese to set properly.

History

Although Chicken Parmesan's roots are often mistakenly attributed solely to Italy, the dish actually emerged as a delicious Italian-American creation in the mid-20th century.

You'll discover its fascinating culinary journey began with Italian immigrants who adapted traditional breaded cutlet recipes from their homeland. These resourceful cooks transformed classic Italian techniques by incorporating readily available American ingredients like marinara sauce and abundant cheese.

The dish evolved from similar European preparations like cotoletta alla milanese, a breaded veal cutlet popular in northern Italy.

As Italian immigrants settled in cities like New York and Philadelphia, they ingeniously combined their culinary heritage with local tastes. By the 1950s, Chicken Parmesan had become a staple in Italian-American restaurant menus, symbolizing cultural adaptation and delicious innovation.

Recipe

Chicken Parmesan is a classic Italian-American dish that brings together crispy breaded chicken, tangy marinara sauce, and melted cheese in a mouthwatering combination. This recipe transforms simple ingredients into a restaurant-quality meal that's both comforting and impressive.

The key to perfect Chicken Parmesan lies in properly preparing the chicken and achieving a golden, crispy exterior that pairs beautifully with the rich sauce and melted cheese. By following a few simple techniques, home cooks can create a delicious version of this beloved dish that rivals any restaurant preparation.

Ingredients:

• 2 chicken breasts
• 1 cup marinara sauce
• 8 oz mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup Italian breadcrumbs
• 2 large eggs
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Olive oil for cooking

Begin by preparing the chicken. Place the chicken breasts between two sheets of plastic wrap and pound them to an even 1/2-inch thickness. Season both sides generously with salt and pepper.

In a shallow dish, beat the eggs, and in another dish, spread out the Italian breadcrumbs. Dip each chicken breast first into the beaten eggs, allowing excess to drip off, then coat completely in breadcrumbs, pressing gently to ensure the coating adheres well.

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the breaded chicken for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown and crispy.

Transfer the chicken to a baking dish, top each piece with marinara sauce, and sprinkle generously with mozzarella cheese. Bake in a preheated 400°F oven for 15-20 minutes, until the cheese is melted and slightly golden and the chicken is cooked through to an internal temperature of 165°F.

For the best results, pat the chicken completely dry before breading to ensure maximum crispiness, and let the finished dish rest for 5 minutes after cooking to allow the cheese to set and the flavors to meld together.

Serve hot, garnished with fresh basil if desired, and pair with pasta or a crisp salad for a complete meal.

Cooking Steps

You'll start by transforming your chicken breasts into perfectly even cutlets through careful pounding, creating a uniform thickness that ensures consistent cooking.

Next, you'll coat the chicken in a classic breading technique: first dipping the meat in beaten eggs, then generously covering it with seasoned Italian breadcrumbs to create a crispy, golden exterior.

Once breaded, you'll quickly pan-fry the chicken to develop a beautiful, crunchy crust before transferring it to a baking dish and finishing it with a layer of marinara sauce and melted mozzarella cheese.

Step 1. Pound Chicken to Uniform Thickness

Grab your meat mallet and prepare to transform those chicken breasts into perfectly even cutlets. You'll want to place each breast between two sheets of plastic wrap or parchment paper, creating a protective barrier that prevents chicken splatter and ensures clean workspace.

With firm, controlled strokes, pound the meat from the center outward, working methodically to create an even 1/4-inch thickness. Focus on applying consistent pressure, which helps break down muscle fibers and promotes more tender chicken.

Key techniques include:

• Use gentle but deliberate mallet strikes
• Rotate the chicken to maintain uniform thickness
• Stop when the cutlet spreads to about 1/2 inch larger than its original size

This process guarantees even cooking and prevents dry, tough meat.

Step 2. Dip Chicken in Egg

Whisk those eggs in a shallow bowl, creating a smooth, golden-yellow mixture that'll serve as the perfect adhesive for your breadcrumb coating.

You'll want to beat the eggs until they're completely uniform, breaking down the yolks and whites into a consistent liquid that'll help your breadcrumbs stick perfectly to the chicken.

Here's how to nail the egg dip:

• Use large eggs at room temperature
• Whisk vigorously for 30-45 seconds
• Season with a pinch of salt and pepper (optional)
• Create a wide, flat surface for easy dipping

Dip each chicken piece into the egg wash, ensuring complete coverage.

Let excess egg drip off briefly, creating a thin, even layer that'll help the breadcrumbs adhere smoothly and create that crispy, golden exterior you're aiming for.

Step 3. Coat With Italian Breadcrumbs

After dipping your chicken pieces in the egg wash, transfer each one to a plate filled with Italian breadcrumbs, ensuring complete and even coating for that signature crispy texture.

Gently press the breadcrumbs onto the chicken, using your fingertips to help the crumbs adhere firmly. Make sure every inch of the chicken is covered, turning and patting the pieces to create a uniform layer.

Key coating tips:

• Use shallow, wide plates for easy movement
• Press breadcrumbs gently but firmly
• Shake off excess crumbs to prevent clumping
• Rotate chicken to guarantee full coverage

The goal is a golden, crisp exterior that'll provide a satisfying crunch when you bite into your chicken parmesan.

Don't rush this step—patience ensures a perfect breading.

Step 4. Cook Chicken in Pan

Once your chicken is perfectly breaded, it's time to transform those crisp cutlets into golden perfection.

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat, adding enough olive oil to generously coat the bottom of the pan. You'll want the oil to shimmer but not smoke, around 350-375°F.

Carefully place your breaded chicken into the hot oil, ensuring they don't overcrowd the pan. Cook each cutlet for 3-4 minutes per side, watching for a beautiful golden-brown crust that signals perfect doneness.

Use tongs to gently flip the chicken, maintaining an even cooking temperature. The exterior should be crispy and deeply golden, with a satisfying crunch when you cut into it.

Transfer the cooked chicken to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.

Step 5. Top With Cheese

Cheese transforms your golden-brown chicken cutlets from good to irresistible, creating that signature Chicken Parmesan melt that'll make your taste buds dance. Sprinkle 8 ounces of shredded mozzarella evenly across the surface, ensuring complete coverage of each cutlet. The cheese should cascade over the edges, creating those delectable crispy, lacy brown bits around the perimeter.

When topping, follow these key techniques:

• Place cheese directly on marinara-covered chicken
• Use freshly shredded mozzarella for best melting
• Cover entire surface uniformly
• Allow slight overhang for crispy edges

Position your baking dish on the middle rack, maintaining an even 400°F temperature. The cheese will transform from white to golden, developing those irresistible bubbling, slightly browned patches that signal culinary perfection.

Final Thoughts

Although Chicken Parmesan might seem complex, you'll find this recipe remarkably straightforward and rewarding. By following the step-by-step instructions, you'll create a restaurant-quality meal right in your own kitchen.

The key is precision: pat your chicken dry, coat it evenly with breadcrumbs, and watch your cooking temperatures carefully. Your goal is golden, crispy exterior and perfectly melted cheese that bubbles just right.

Remember to let the dish rest after baking, which helps the cheese set and flavors meld together. Don't be intimidated by the technique; with practice, you'll master this classic Italian-American favorite.

Each time you make it, you'll become more confident, transforming simple ingredients into a delicious, crowd-pleasing dinner that'll have everyone asking for seconds.