Description
Comfort meets Italian-inspired elegance in this classic easy chicken parmesan that promises restaurant-quality flavor right from home. Crispy golden chicken breasts nestled in marinara sauce and melted mozzarella cheese create a delightful meal guaranteed to satisfy hungry diners.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 chicken breasts, boneless, skinless, halved lengthwise (4 cutlets)
- 1 cup (120 g / 4.2 oz) breadcrumbs (Italian-style or panko)
- ½ cup (50 g / 1.8 oz) Parmesan cheese, grated
- ½ cup (60 g / 2.1 oz) all-purpose flour
- 2 eggs, beaten
- ¼ cup (60 ml / 2 fl oz) olive oil
- 1 ½ cups (375 ml / 12.7 fl oz) marinara sauce
- 1 cup (100 g / 3.5 oz) mozzarella cheese, shredded
- ¼ cup (25 g / 0.9 oz) Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 tbsp fresh basil or parsley, chopped
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Preparation Ritual: Gently tenderize chicken cutlets to uniform thickness using a mallet, creating a canvas for crispy perfection.
- Dredging Choreography: Establish three seasoned zones – a flour foundation seasoned with salt and pepper, an egg bath for adhesion, and a final breadcrumb station enriched with Parmesan, garlic powder, and Italian herbs.
- Coating Technique: Transform each cutlet by gracefully dancing through the dredging stations – first dusting with flour, then embracing the egg wash, and finally encrusting with the aromatic breadcrumb mixture.
- Sizzling Performance: Heat olive oil in a skillet, orchestrating a golden-brown transformation by frying chicken cutlets until they achieve a crisp, enticing exterior.
- Flavor Layering: Arrange a marinara canvas in a baking dish, nestling the crispy chicken cutlets and adorning them with a luxurious blanket of mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses.
- Oven Finale: Slide the ensemble into a preheated 400°F oven, allowing the cheese to melt into a bubbling masterpiece and intensify the dish’s flavor profile.
- Culinary Presentation: Elevate the dish with a sprinkle of fresh basil or parsley, serving alongside spaghetti or garlic bread for a complete gastronomic experience.
Notes
- Ensure chicken cutlets are pounded to consistent ½-inch thickness for uniform cooking and crispy texture.
- Maintain medium heat while frying to prevent burning and achieve golden-brown crust without greasy chicken.
- Sprinkle mozzarella first, then Parmesan on top for perfect melting and enhanced flavor profile.
- Place fried chicken on paper towels to absorb extra oil, keeping the breading crisp and preventing sogginess.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg