Description
Crispy breaded chicken breasts topped with savory marinara sauce and melted mozzarella cheese, then baked to golden perfection. This classic Italian-American dish is a comforting and flavorful option perfect for a satisfying family dinner.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup Italian-seasoned breadcrumbs
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Sauce and Topping
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese, for topping
- Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 400°F (200°C) to ensure it reaches the perfect baking temperature by the time your chicken is ready.
- Pound Chicken: Place the chicken breasts between sheets of plastic wrap or parchment paper and gently pound them with a meat mallet or rolling pin until they are an even thickness for uniform cooking.
- Prepare Breading Mixture: In a shallow dish, combine the Italian-seasoned breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Stir well to blend all the seasonings.
- Coat Chicken: Dip each chicken breast into the beaten eggs, allowing any excess to drip off, then dredge thoroughly in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing lightly so the coating adheres well.
- Pan-Fry Chicken: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, cook each chicken breast for 3 to 4 minutes on each side or until the coating is a deep golden brown and crisp.
- Transfer to Baking Dish: Move the browned chicken breasts into a baking dish arranged in a single layer, ready for sauce and cheese topping.
- Add Sauce and Cheese: Spoon marinara sauce over each piece evenly. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella and the additional grated Parmesan cheese over the top to cover the sauce.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 15 to 20 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden, and the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from the oven, sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley if using, and serve immediately while hot.
Notes
- Serve this Chicken Parmesan over pasta, zucchini noodles, or alongside garlic bread for a complete meal.
- Using panko breadcrumbs will give you an even crispier coating on the chicken.
- Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Pan-Frying, Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
