Description
This classic Chicken Parmesan recipe features tender, juicy chicken cutlets breaded with a flavorful mixture of breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning. The cutlets are pan-fried to golden perfection, then topped with marinara sauce and melted mozzarella cheese for a deliciously satisfying meal that can be ready in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs)
Breading
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- â…“ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
Coating
- 1 egg
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
Cooking
- ¼ cup cooking oil
Topping
- ½ cup marinara sauce
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare Chicken: Using a sharp knife, carefully filet each chicken breast lengthwise into two thin cutlets, yielding a total of four cutlets. Alternatively, use pre-cut chicken cutlets for convenience.
- Season Chicken: Lightly season both sides of the chicken cutlets with salt, freshly cracked black pepper, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder to enhance the flavor.
- Bread Chicken: In a shallow bowl, mix the breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. In separate shallow bowls, place the flour and beaten egg. Dredge each chicken cutlet first in flour, shaking off the excess, then dip it into the egg, ensuring full coverage, and finally coat well with the breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently for adherence.
- Cook Chicken: Heat the cooking oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering hot. Add the breaded chicken cutlets and cook on the first side until golden brown, about 5 minutes.
- Top and Finish: Flip the chicken, reduce the heat to medium, spoon 2 tablespoons of marinara sauce over each cutlet, and sprinkle with ¼ cup shredded mozzarella cheese. Cover the skillet with a lid to melt the cheese and warm the sauce, cooking for an additional 5-7 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked through.
- Serve: Remove the skillet from heat, garnish the chicken with freshly chopped parsley if desired, and serve hot alongside spaghetti or your preferred side with extra marinara sauce.
Notes
- For a crispier crust, use panko breadcrumbs instead of regular breadcrumbs.
- You can bake the chicken cutlets in the oven at 400°F for 15-20 minutes instead of pan-frying for a lighter version.
- Ensure the chicken is cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F for safety.
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese will yield the best flavor compared to pre-grated.
- This dish pairs well with spaghetti, salad, or garlic bread.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Italian-American
