Easy Chicken Parmesan Recipe

This easy chicken parmesan recipe is a homemade recreation of the American-Italian breaded chicken dish, commonly served in Italian-inspired restaurants such as Olive Garden. Chicken breasts are breaded in a crispy coating, fried until golden, topped with homemade marinara and cheese then baked until the cheese melts!

The homemade dish gives you the restaurant quality and flavor for a fraction of the price.

Italian-inspired dinners are a go-to for guests, an at-home date night, or a simple family dinner. This easy chicken parmesan recipe is healthier than going out to eat because it is homemade and you know exactly what is going into the final dish.

The dish comes together in just 30 minutes in your own kitchen!

• Restaurant quality. The chicken parmesan is restaurant quality, but so easy to recreate at home!
• Family-friendly meal. This dish is enjoyed by kids and adults! You can easily leave the marinara and cheese off some of the chicken and serve half the recipe up as breaded chicken tenders for little ones!
• Meal prep. The chicken can be cooked ahead of time and served throughout the week, or frozen for quick meals.
• Different cooking methods. The chicken can be made in a skillet, air fryer, or completely in the oven, depending on your preferred cooking method.

The recipe looks more complex than it is. It calls for simple ingredients, so you likely won’t need to run to the grocery store!

• Chicken- boneless skinless chicken breasts work best in this recipe. Just be sure to butterfly the chicken breast for even cooking.
• Cheese- you’ll need provolone and parmesan cheese for the recipe. Provolone for topping the breaded breasts, and parmesan to mix in with the breading.
• Breading- the bread crumb mixture consists of flour, salt, and black pepper. The final coating for the chicken is made of breadcrumbs, parmesan, flour, and more seasonings.
• Eggs- help to bind the breading to the chicken.
• Marinara- the homemade marinara sauce is made up of canned or fresh tomatoes, butter, chopped onion, and garlic; and it is seasoned simply with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.

For a full list of ingredients and quantities, see the recipe card below.

Chicken parmesan takes a few steps for a meal that is well worth the effort.

• Prepare marinara: Saute the onion with butter and oil in a skillet. Then add the garlic, tomatoes, and seasonings. Cook for 2-3 minutes. Puree the marinara with a hand blender, then return to the skillet and cover to keep warm while you cook the chicken.
• Prep the chicken: Cut the chicken breasts in halves lengthwise. Beat each half until even in thickness for even chicken cutlets.
• Prep the dipping bowls: In one bowl, mix together the flour, salt, and pepper. In a second bowl, whisk together two eggs. In the third bowl, mix together the flour, breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, and seasonings.
• Dredge chicken: Dredge the chicken through the flour mixture, then dip the chicken in the eggs, and finally coat with the breadcrumb mixture.
• Cook chicken: In a large skillet, over medium-high heat, heat the oil, and carefully add the chicken. Cook for 3-4 minutes per side until cooked through. Transfer the cooked chicken to a baking sheet.
• Top and broil: Top each slice of chicken with marinara and sprinkle cheese. Cook until the cheese melts. Top with fresh basil and serve with your desired sides.
• Serve and enjoy, friends!

The chicken can be pan-fried or made completely in the oven or air fryer for even easier cleanup!

• Bake in the Oven: To completely cook the chicken in the oven, dredge the chicken and place it onto a baking sheet. Bake chicken parmesan at 400℉ for 15 minutes, or until golden. Then, top with marinara and cheese and cook until the cheese melts.
• Air-fryer Chicken Parmesan: To air-fry the chicken parm, follow the same steps for fried chicken, through step 4. Once you’ve dredged the chicken, add it to your air fryer basket. Spray lightly with cooking spray or drizzle some oil for a golden crust. Air fry the chicken at 400℉ for 10 minutes, turning once halfway through. After 10 minutes, add marinara and cheese and cook for another 3-5 minutes until the cheese is melted.

The chicken parmesan can be altered to fit your personal taste preferences.

• Store-bought marinara: For a shortcut to the recipe, skip a step and use your favorite store-bought marinara.
• Different cheese: Chicken parmesan can be made with provolone, mozzarella cheese, and parmesan, depending on what you have in your fridge.
• Regular breadcrumbs: Substitute regular breadcrumbs instead of panko breadcrumbs if that is what you have on hand.

There is a side option for every palate for chicken parmesan, so make the sides your family will love. Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Pasta: A classic way to serve the chicken parmesan is with spaghetti or angel hair pasta.
• Salad: Make a classic caesar salad, crave-worthy caprese bruschetta on toast, or a tomato burrata salad to serve on the side.
• Sandwich: Repurpose leftovers into a chicken parmesan sandwich on toasted buns or French baguettes.
• Garlic bread: Serve the chicken parmesan with a side of homemade breadsticks or garlic bread.

• Storage. Refrigerate leftover chicken parmesan covered in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
• Freeze. Freeze the breaded and fried chicken (without sauce and cheese) once cooled completely in freezer-safe bags or containers. Thaw overnight and add the chicken to a baking sheet. Warm chicken in the oven to re-crisp at 425℉. Then, add marinara and cheese while the oven is heating. Broil for 10 minutes or until the cheese is melted. Serve.
• Reheat. Reheat the chicken in an air fryer until warmed through, or warm in the oven at 350℉ for a few minutes.

Easy Chicken Parmesan Recipe

Author: Valentina

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4.92 from 24 votes

Chicken parmesan is a classic, Italian-inspired dish that is a restaurant favorite. It’s easy to recreate at home and can be served with a variety of side dishes as an at-home date night meal, to impress guests, or just for a family dinner.

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes minutes

Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients

• 2 large chicken breasts boneless skinless
• 6 slices provolone cheese
• 3 Tbsp fresh basil optional
• 3 Tbsp olive oil more if needed

bowl 1-

• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• ¼ tsp salt
• dash of pepper

bowl 2-

• 2 large eggs beaten

bowl 3-

• 3 Tbsp all-purpose flour
• 2/3 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 2/3 cup parmesan cheese grated
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp ground paprika
• ½ tsp italian seasoning

homemade marinara recipe-

• 1 Tbsp unsalted butter
• 1 tsp olive oil
• 1/2 small onion finely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves minced
• 14.5 oz cubed tomatoes
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• ¼ tsp salt
• ⅛ tsp ground black pepper

US Customary – Metric

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to broil at step 5 when cooking the chicken. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Prepare the homemade marinara sauce:
• In a saucepan, sauté the finely chopped onion with 1 tbsp of butter and 1 tsp oil until softened, stirring occasionally to prevent burning.
• Add the minced garlic, cubed tomatoes, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper. Cook the mixture for 2-3 minutes.
• Puree the tomatoes with a hand-held blender until smooth.
• Pour the pureed marinara back into the saucepan and simmer on low heat until reheated.

chicken-

• Cut the chicken breasts in half lengthwise. Lightly beat each half with a meat mallet until even in thickness and tenderized.
• In 3 separate bowls, combine the ingredients for bowl 1, bowl 2, and bowl 3, respectively.
• Dredge the chicken into the flour mixture, then into the second bowl into the egg mixture, and finally into bowl 3 the breadcrumb mixture, coating the chicken generously.
• In a large skillet, heat 3 Tbsp of oil over med/high. Once the skillet is hot, carefully add the chicken. (Don’t overcrowd the pan to ensure a good sear, cook in two batches if needed.)
• Cook the chicken until it is crispy and fully cooked, or about 2-3 minutes per side. Meanwhile, preheat the oven.
• Add the chicken breast to a baking sheet. Top each piece of chicken with marinara and the cheese.
• Bake the chicken for 4-6 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted.
• Generously garnish the chicken with fresh basil.
• Serve and enjoy, friends!

Notes

Air fry or bake: The chicken can be cooked completely in the oven or air fryer. Cook at 400℉ for 10 minutes in the air fryer, flipping halfway. Then, top with marinara and cheese and cook for a few minutes until the cheese has melted. To bake, preheat the oven to 400℉ and bake for 15 minutes, or until golden. Then, top with marinara and cheese and broil until melted and crisp.
Freeze: To freeze the chicken for future meals, saute the chicken and allow it to cool to room temperature. Freeze in freezer-safe bags. When ready to serve, thaw, add to a 425℉ preheated oven to crisp, then add marinara and cheese and cook until finished.

Nutrition

551kcal Calories21g Carbs43g Protein32g Fat11g Saturated Fat192mg Cholesterol1356mg Sodium542mg Potassium1g Fiber1g Sugar690IU Vitamin A2.8mg Vitamin C462mg Calcium2.4mg Iron

• Full Nutrition Label

Nutrition Facts

Easy Chicken Parmesan Recipe

Amount Per Serving

Calories 551 Calories from Fat 288

% Daily Value*

Fat 32g49%

Saturated Fat 11g69%

Cholesterol 192mg64%

Sodium 1356mg59%

Potassium 542mg15%

Carbohydrates 21g7%

Fiber 1g4%

Sugar 1g1%

Protein 43g86%

Vitamin A 690IU14%

Vitamin C 2.8mg3%

Calcium 462mg46%

Iron 2.4mg13%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

(The nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.)

Course: Dinner

Cuisine: American, Italian