Ultimate Chicken Parmesan
A simple yet special dish featuring crispy chicken, vibrant marinara, and gooey cheese, perfect for weeknight dinners or gatherings.
Ingredients
For the chicken
- 4 pieces boneless, skinless chicken breasts (Pound each breast to an even thickness for even cooking.)
- 1 cup breadcrumbs (Use plain or Italian-style breadcrumbs. Add 1/4 cup panko for extra crunch.)
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (Freshly grated Parmesan melts better.)
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (Mix with salt and pepper; add red pepper flakes for some heat.)
- 2 cups marinara sauce (Use high-quality jarred or homemade; warm slightly before use.)
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (Whole milk mozzarella gives a creamier melt.)
- to taste salt and pepper (Season both sides of the chicken before breading.)
- as needed tablespoons olive oil (Coat skillet for frying.)
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a shallow dish, mix breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- Coat each chicken breast in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing to adhere.
Cooking
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook chicken until golden brown on both sides, about 4 minutes per side.
- Transfer the chicken to a baking dish. Pour marinara sauce over the chicken and top with mozzarella cheese.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through and the cheese is bubbly.
- Serve hot with additional marinara sauce if desired.
Notes
This dish can be adapted for freezing and reheating. Serve with pasta or a green salad.