Perfect Chicken Parmesan RECIPE + VIDEO | Self Proclaimed Foodie (2024)

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Perfect Chicken Parmesan is full of flavor, takes minutes to cook, and is my favorite chicken dinner recipe!

Boneless skinless chicken breasts are tenderized, lightly breaded, and cooked to crispy perfection. Once they are smothered in your favorite marinara sauce and melted cheese, the most delicious dinner is ready for your consumption!

Perfect Chicken Parmesan RECIPE + VIDEO | Self Proclaimed Foodie (1)

Why this recipe works:

Any recipe that coats chicken in a wonderful crispy outside like my chicken tenders or buttermilk fried chicken is a winner in my book. And the fact that this is such an easy recipe will have you making it on a weekly basis.

Because the chicken breasts are tenderized before cooking, no knife is required. This recipe is made extra easy by using bottled pasta sauce and you can even use pre-shredded cheese.

Chicken parm is possibly my favorite dinner… especially when served with homemade pasta! If you’re wanting a vegetarian version, you can’t go wrong with eggplant parmesan! Also, if you enjoy this recipe, you’ll want to make myChicken Cacciatore.

Here’s how to make it:

  1. First step is to tenderize the chicken (more information on why that is important below) and season with salt and pepper (photo 1).
  2. The crumb coating I use when making this easy chicken parmesan is a 2:1 mixture of bread crumbs to parmesan cheese plus some herbs. Dredge the chicken in the flour, then coat with egg, then coat with the bread crumb mixture (photo 2).
  3. Brown the chicken on both sides in olive oil (photo 3).
  4. To finish off your chicken parm, all you need to do is top those crispy seasoned chicken breasts with a healthy portion of amazing tomato pasta sauce (photo 4) and then top that with some slices of fresh mozzarella (photo 5) along with some grated parmesan. Finish the whole thing off in the oven to get the cheese all nice and melted (photo 6).

Perfect Chicken Parmesan RECIPE + VIDEO | Self Proclaimed Foodie (2)

Why tenderizing is important:

You want your chicken breasts to be thin for several reasons:

  1. First, when you pound the meat with a mallet or roll it with a rolling pin, you break up the tissue and it makes it more tender. So much so that you can easily cut it with the side of your fork. I prefer to pound my meat over rolling it because its fun.
  2. Second, you want your chicken to be of uniform thickness so that it cooks evenly.
  3. And third, the thinner the meat, the faster it cooks. During school and sports season, we all need meals that can be cooked quickly.

Cooking tips:

  • I always choose to put my crumb mixture in a rectangular dish that’s the exact size of the chicken breast. It makes coating the chicken easy.
  • If you’re wondering how do you keep chicken parmesan crispy, you must cook the coated breasts in very hot oil in a single layer. This will give them a crispy golden outside and won’t leave them soggy.
  • I served my parmesan chicken up with some basil pasta that I tossed in some of the reserved pasta sauce.

Perfect Chicken Parmesan RECIPE + VIDEO | Self Proclaimed Foodie (3)

Step-by-step recipe video below!

Did you make this recipe? Please leave me a comment below to let me know what you think!

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Perfect Chicken Parmesan is the best chicken parmesan recipe you'll find. Full of flavor, takes minutes to cook, and is my favorite chicken dinner recipe!

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Ingredients

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

  • Using a large plastic bag or plastic wrap, cover chicken and flatten to half inch thickness using a meat pounder or a rolling pin.

  • Sprinkle salt and pepper on both sides of chicken.

  • Add flour to bowl. Add beaten egg to another bowl. Combine bread crumbs with 1/2 cup parmesan (reserving the other half for later) along with the basil and oregano in a dish large enough for the chicken breasts.

  • Heat oil in a very large skillet over medium high heat.

  • Dredge chicken in flour, then coat with egg, then cover with bread crumb mixture. Press coating onto chicken to get as much as possible to stick. When the oil is very hot, just below the point where it begins to smoke, add your coated chicken. Continue with the remaining chicken breasts.

  • Cook each breast until golden brown, about 2 minutes on each side. Remove from pan and transfer to baking dish.

  • Cover each breast with Mezzetta Napa Valley Homemade pasta sauce as well as a couple slices of mozzarella and the remaining parmesan cheese. You may reserve some of the sauce to serve with pasta on the side, if desired.

  • Cook in preheated oven until cheese has melted, about 5-10 minutes.

Notes

  • I used a combination of olive oil with avocado oil because it tolerates high temperatures better
  • I always choose to put my crumb mixture in a rectangular dish that's the exact size of the chicken breast. It makes coating the chicken oh-so-easy. The crumb coating I use when making this easy chicken parmesan is a 2:1 mixture of bread crumbs to parmesan cheese plus some herbs like fresh basil.
  • If you're wondering how do you keep chicken parmesan crispy, you must cook the coated breasts in very hot oil in a single layer. This will give them a crispy golden outside and won't leave them soggy.

Nutrition

Calories: 714kcal, Carbohydrates: 34g, Protein: 48g, Fat: 42g, Saturated Fat: 15g, Cholesterol: 169mg, Sodium: 1672mg, Potassium: 955mg, Fiber: 4g, Sugar: 9g, Vitamin A: 1410IU, Vitamin C: 12.4mg, Calcium: 508mg, Iron: 5.1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Did you make this? Leave me acomment below

This post was originally created in September 2015 and has been updated with additional photos, cooking tips, and helpful information. Don’t worry – I didn’t change the recipe!

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Perfect Chicken Parmesan RECIPE + VIDEO | Self Proclaimed Foodie (5)

Hi! I’m Krissy.

I love to create the BEST versions of your favorite recipes. If you love to cook, love to eat, or just have a deep appreciation for good food, you're in the right place! Stick around... I have hundreds of recipes for you to make.

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Perfect Chicken Parmesan RECIPE + VIDEO | Self Proclaimed Foodie (2024)

FAQs

Why isn t chicken parm called chicken mozzarella? ›

“Why is it called chicken parmesan if the cheese chefs use is mozzarella?” It's a great question and one that isn't so easy to answer! Some believe that it was created in Parma, hence the name.

How many days is chicken parm good for? ›

If it is fully prepared and cooked with the sauce and cheese on top, you can refrigerate it for about 3-5 days. In my house, we don't keep leftovers longer than a couple days. The chicken parmesan would probably store longer if you kept the sauce separate from the chicken breasts.

Does chicken parm always come with pasta? ›

In the United States and Canada, chicken parmesan is often served as a main course, and sometimes with a side of, or on top of pasta. Many restaurants also offer chicken parm sandwiches.

Why does the breading fall off my chicken parm? ›

You Don't Start Dry

The first step to breading chicken is crucial; make sure the chicken is completely dry before starting the dredging process. Using a paper towel, pat the meat dry on all sides. Excess moisture will cause the flour to get soggy and thus will not adhere properly to the chicken.

How do you keep breading from falling off chicken parmesan? ›

Always dip your chicken in beaten egg before coating

Dipping your chicken in egg helps the breadcrumbs, or whatever coating you use, adhere evenly to the outside of the cutlet. You should start with a thin layer of flour, which gives the egg a better surface to cling to, then the egg, then the coating.

What is the difference between chicken parmesan and chicken parmigiana? ›

Chicken Parmesan and chicken Parmigiana are just different names for the same exact recipe. And, with a name like “chicken Parmigiana”, you might assume that this recipe is Italian. While it has roots in Italy (in a way), chicken Parmesan is all-American.

Do Italians in Italy eat chicken parm? ›

Despite being a staple of Italian-American cuisine, “chicken parmesan” is nowhere to be found in Italy. Instead, Italians nosh on parmigiana – eggplant layered with tomato sauce and cheese.

What can I substitute for mozzarella in chicken parmesan? ›

The Best Mozzarella Cheese Substitutes – Dairy
  • Gruyère Cheese. ...
  • Cheddar. ...
  • Swiss Cheese. ...
  • Ricotta Cheese. ...
  • Emmental Cheese. ...
  • Comté Cheese. ...
  • Provolone Cheese. ...
  • Fontina Cheese.

Can I eat 5 day old cooked chicken? ›

USDA recommends using cooked chicken within three to four days, kept refrigerated (40°F or less). Refrigeration slows but does not stop bacterial growth. USDA recommends using cooked leftovers within three to four days.

Can I eat 5 day old chicken parm? ›

If you don't want to freeze your chicken parmesan leftovers, they will last in the fridge for 3-5 days.

Can I eat 10 day old chicken? ›

Raw chicken lasts in the fridge for 1–2 days, while cooked chicken lasts 3–4 days. To detect if chicken has gone bad, check the “best if used by” date and look for signs of spoilage like changes in smell, texture, and color. Avoid eating spoiled chicken, as it can cause food poisoning — even if you cook it thoroughly.

What is the best pasta to serve with chicken parmesan? ›

A thicker, stout pasta shape, like a ridged rigatoni, works well with chicken parmesan because it matches the heft and satisfying texture of the protein. The sauce is also able to cling to the ridges on the surface of the pasta and become a vehicle for aromatics, like crushed garlic and fresh herbs.

What is a good side for chicken parmesan? ›

Salads are always a good idea for chicken parmesan sides. You could pair it with a simple Green Salad, a Classic Caesar Salad or if you want something with lots of flavor you can try my That Good Salad recipe!

Should you flatten chicken before baking? ›

There's one technique to learn for better chicken breast: pounding chicken breast into thin, even pieces. Pounding doesn't require any forethought or planning, it relieves a little mid-week tension, and helps chicken breast cook faster and more evenly.

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