Description
Delicious and easy Chicken Parmesan made with crispy breaded chicken cutlets topped with marinara sauce and melted mozzarella cheese. This classic Italian-American dish is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, featuring a flavorful, golden crust and tender chicken cooked in a skillet.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs)
Breading
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp salt
- Freshly cracked pepper, to taste
Other
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup cooking oil
- 1/2 cup marinara sauce
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Filet: Use a sharp knife to carefully filet the chicken breasts lengthwise into two cutlets each, making 4 cutlets total. You may also use pre-cut chicken cutlets if preferred.
- Season: Lightly season both sides of each chicken cutlet with a pinch of salt and freshly cracked pepper, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder to ensure the meat is flavorful.
- Combine Breading Mixture: In a wide shallow bowl or container, mix together the breadcrumbs, grated parmesan cheese, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and some freshly cracked pepper for the breading.
- Whisk Egg: In a separate wide shallow bowl or container, whisk the egg until smooth and uniform.
- Prepare Flour: In a third shallow bowl, add the all-purpose flour for dredging.
- Dredge Chicken: Coat each chicken cutlet first in the flour, shaking off any excess, then dip it into the egg mixture coating fully, allowing excess to drip off. Finally, coat the chicken well with the breadcrumb mixture on both sides.
- Cook Chicken: Heat the cooking oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until hot. Place the breaded chicken cutlets in the skillet and cook on the first side until golden brown, about 5 minutes.
- Flip and Add Toppings: Turn the chicken over, reduce heat to medium, and spoon 2 tablespoons of marinara sauce on each cutlet. Sprinkle 1/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese on top of each piece.
- Melt Cheese and Finish Cooking: Cover the skillet with a lid to help melt the cheese, warm the sauce, and ensure the chicken cooks through, approximately 5-7 additional minutes.
- Serve: Remove chicken from skillet, top with freshly chopped parsley if desired, and serve immediately with spaghetti or your favorite side and extra marinara sauce.
Notes
- For juicier chicken, let the cutlets rest a few minutes after cooking before serving.
- You can substitute Italian seasoning with fresh herbs like oregano and basil for a fresher taste.
- Use homemade marinara or store-bought depending on preference and time.
- Ensure oil is hot before cooking to get a crispy crust without absorbing excessive oil.
- Covering the skillet helps melt the cheese and finish cooking the chicken evenly.
- Chicken Parmesan pairs well with spaghetti, garlic bread, or a simple green salad.
