Description
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this Chicken Parmesan recipe featuring crispy, juicy chicken cutlets topped with melty mozzarella and a tangy homemade marinara sauce. Perfect for family dinners or special occasions, this Italian-American classic is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser!
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (pounded to ½ inch thickness)
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 1 cup Italian-style breadcrumbs
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 3 tablespoons olive oil (for frying)
For the Homemade Marinara Sauce:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion, finely diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 teaspoon sugar (optional, to balance acidity)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
For Assembling the Dish:
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil leaves (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the Marinara Sauce:
- Heat olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
- Add diced onion and sauté for 3–4 minutes until softened.
- Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add crushed tomatoes, basil, oregano, red pepper flakes (if using), and sugar. Season with salt and pepper.
- Simmer for 15–20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Prepare the Chicken:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Set up a breading station with three shallow dishes:
- Dish 1: Add flour.
- Dish 2: Add beaten eggs.
- Dish 3: Mix breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Dredge each chicken breast in flour, dip in beaten eggs, and coat thoroughly with the breadcrumb mixture.
- Cook the Chicken:
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Fry the breaded chicken breasts for 3–4 minutes per side until golden brown. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
- Assemble the Dish:
- Spread a thin layer of marinara sauce in the bottom of a baking dish.
- Arrange the fried chicken cutlets in the dish and spoon marinara sauce over each piece.
- Sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan cheese over the top.
- Bake:
- Bake in the preheated oven for 15–20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Garnish and Serve:
- Remove from the oven, garnish with fresh basil leaves, and serve hot.
- Pair with spaghetti, garlic bread, or a green salad for a complete meal.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop and Baked
- Cuisine: Italian-American