I prepare Chicken Tender Parmesan for a quick yet satisfying meal. I season boneless chicken breasts with salt and pepper, coat them with flour, eggs, and Italian breadcrumbs, then fry in olive oil. The dish pairs perfectly with a zesty marinara, mozzarella and Parmesan melting together, finished with fresh basil.
I’ve been perfecting my Chicken Parmesan for a while now and i’m super excited to share this version with you. Trust me when i say this is the best chicken parm recipe out there.
It only takes 30 minutes to whip up youll be amazed! I’ve used 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, seasoned just right with salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper then lightly dusted with 1 cup of all-purpose flour.
Next, i dipped the chicken into 2 beaten eggs before coating it with Italian seasoned breadcrumbs mixed with a good 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese for that extra punch of flavor. Once it’s fried in 1/4 cup olive oil to crispy perfection, i smother it in 2 cups of marinara sauce and top it with 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese.
Finally, i garnish with fresh basil leaves for a taste that reminds me of a restaurant quality. It’s a meal that always impresses!
Why I Like this Recipe
I like this recipe because I can make a restaurant-quality meal in only about 30 minutes. Its super quick and easy, which is perfect when I don’t have a lot of time but still want something delicious. I love how the chicken gets so crispy from the breadcrumb mix and then becomes tender after baking, and the way the melty mozzarella mixes with the tangy marinara creates an explosion of flavor in every bite. I also appreciate that it feels like I’m really impressing someone when I make it, even if I’m just cooking for myself or my family at home.
I’ve always been a huge fan of classic Chicken Parmesan. I love the fact that I can make it at home in just 30 minutes and it still tastes like something you would get at a fancy restaurant. Its really quick and easy and lets me experiment with little tips and hacks along the way to make it my own. It feels satisfying to recreate a dish like Chicken Parmigiana without too much hassle, and the whole experience always makes me feel proud of my cooking skills even when things don’t go perfectly.
Ingredients
- Chicken breasts: Lean, protein-rich meat that makes the meal hearty and filling.
- Italian seasoned breadcrumbs: They add a crispy texture and light carbohydrates.
- Marinara sauce: Tangy, slightly sweet tomato sauce loaded with vitamins and antioxidants.
- Parmesan cheese: Provides a savory, salty kick while adding calcium and protein.
- Mozzarella cheese: Melts perfectly for a gooey, milky texture and extra protein.
- Fresh basil leaves: Offers a burst of herbal flavor and natural antioxidants.
- Olive oil: A heart healthy fat that brings out the other ingredients pretty well.
Ingredient Quantities
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 lb total)
- 1 tsp salt (plus extra to taste)
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 1 cup Italian seasoned breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup olive oil for frying
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- Fresh basil leaves for garnish
How to Make this
1. Preheat your oven to 400°F while you prepare the chicken.
2. Pound the chicken breasts until they are about half an inch thick and season them on both sides with salt and pepper.
3. Set up three separate shallow dishes – one with the flour, one with the beaten eggs, and one with a mix of the Italian seasoned breadcrumbs and grated Parmesan cheese.
4. Dredge each chicken breast in the flour first, then dip it in the egg, and lastly coat it thoroughly with the breadcrumb mixture.
5. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and fry the chicken until its golden brown, about three minutes on each side.
6. Pour the marinara sauce into a baking dish and place the fried chicken breasts in the dish, making sure they are well covered with the sauce.
7. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly on top of the sauce and chicken.
8. Bake in the preheated oven for about 10 to 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
9. Garnish every serving with a couple of fresh basil leaves and serve immediately. Enjoy this classic Chicken Parmesan that’s super restaurant quality and easy to make at home!
Equipment Needed
1. Oven – for preheating and baking the dish
2. Meat mallet or rolling pin – to pound the chicken breasts until they’re thin
3. Three shallow bowls – one each for the flour, beaten eggs, and the breadcrumb-Parmesan mix
4. Fork or whisk – to beat the eggs before dipping the chicken
5. Large skillet – for frying the chicken in olive oil
6. Tongs – to carefully flip and remove the chicken from the skillet
7. Baking dish – to hold the marinara sauce, fried chicken, and cheese during baking
8. Measuring cups and spoons – to accurately portion the flour, breadcrumbs, cheese, and sauce
9. Knife – for slicing any garnishing basil or any small prep work
10. Spatula – handy for spreading the marinara sauce evenly in the baking dish
FAQ
Chicken Parmesan Recipe (Best EVER!) Substitutions and Variations
- If you cant find chicken breasts, try using boneless, skinless chicken thighs or even turkey cutlets instead. They still work good in this dish.
- If you dont have Italian seasoned breadcrumbs on hand, mix plain breadcrumbs with a pinch of dried oregano, basil, and maybe a little garlic powder.
- You can swap out Parmesan cheese with Pecorino Romano if its what you have. Its a bit sharper but really adds flavor.
- Not a fan of marinara? You could use a tomato basil sauce or even a spicy arrabbiata as a tasty alternative.
- If mozzarella cheese is runnin’ low, provolone or even a mild cheddar blend can substitute to keep it melty and delicious.
Pro Tips
1. When pounding the chicken, cover it with plastic wrap so it doesn’t splatter all over the counter and to make sure it cooks evenly
2. Make sure you season each step of the dredging with a pinch of salt and pepper this can really boost the flavor so you dont end up with bland chicken
3. As you fry the chicken, keep an eye on the oil temperature so it doesnt get too hot, causing the coating to burn before the chicken is fully cooked
4. If you want the cheese extra melty and a bit crispy, try putting the dish under the broiler for a quick minute after baking but watch it closely so it doesnt burn
Chicken Parmesan Recipe (Best EVER!)
I prepare Chicken Tender Parmesan for a quick yet satisfying meal. I season boneless chicken breasts with salt and pepper, coat them with flour, eggs, and Italian breadcrumbs, then fry in olive oil. The dish pairs perfectly with a zesty marinara, mozzarella and Parmesan melting together, finished with fresh basil.
4
servings
500
kcal
Equipment: 1. Oven – for preheating and baking the dish
2. Meat mallet or rolling pin – to pound the chicken breasts until they’re thin
3. Three shallow bowls – one each for the flour, beaten eggs, and the breadcrumb-Parmesan mix
4. Fork or whisk – to beat the eggs before dipping the chicken
5. Large skillet – for frying the chicken in olive oil
6. Tongs – to carefully flip and remove the chicken from the skillet
7. Baking dish – to hold the marinara sauce, fried chicken, and cheese during baking
8. Measuring cups and spoons – to accurately portion the flour, breadcrumbs, cheese, and sauce
9. Knife – for slicing any garnishing basil or any small prep work
10. Spatula – handy for spreading the marinara sauce evenly in the baking dish
Ingredients
-
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 lb total)
-
1 tsp salt (plus extra to taste)
-
1/2 tsp black pepper
-
1 cup all-purpose flour
-
2 eggs, beaten
-
1 cup Italian seasoned breadcrumbs
-
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
-
1/4 cup olive oil for frying
-
2 cups marinara sauce
-
1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
-
Fresh basil leaves for garnish
Directions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F while you prepare the chicken.
- Pound the chicken breasts until they are about half an inch thick and season them on both sides with salt and pepper.
- Set up three separate shallow dishes – one with the flour, one with the beaten eggs, and one with a mix of the Italian seasoned breadcrumbs and grated Parmesan cheese.
- Dredge each chicken breast in the flour first, then dip it in the egg, and lastly coat it thoroughly with the breadcrumb mixture.
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and fry the chicken until its golden brown, about three minutes on each side.
- Pour the marinara sauce into a baking dish and place the fried chicken breasts in the dish, making sure they are well covered with the sauce.
- Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly on top of the sauce and chicken.
- Bake in the preheated oven for about 10 to 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Garnish every serving with a couple of fresh basil leaves and serve immediately. Enjoy this classic Chicken Parmesan that’s super restaurant quality and easy to make at home!
Notes
- Below you’ll find my best estimate of this recipe’s nutrition facts. Treat the numbers as a guide rather than a rule—great food should nourish both body and spirit. Figures are approximate, and the website owner assumes no liability for any inaccuracies in this recipe.
Nutrition Facts
- Serving Size: 300g
- Total number of serves: 4
- Calories: 500kcal
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Polyunsaturated: 2g
- Monounsaturated: 11g
- Cholesterol: 100mg
- Sodium: 700mg
- Potassium: 500mg
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 6g
- Protein: 35g
- Vitamin A: 500IU
- Vitamin C: 5mg
- Calcium: 150mg
- Iron: 2mg