Crispy Classic Chicken Parmesan
A quick and easy homemade dinner featuring golden, crispy chicken breasts topped with marinara sauce and melted mozzarella cheese, delivering nostalgic comfort with a modern twist.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 6 oz / 170 g each), pounded to even thickness
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
- 1 cup all-purpose flour (120 g) (for dredging; can use gluten-free flour)
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs (about 100 g)
- ½ cup Italian-seasoned breadcrumbs (about 50 g)
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (50 g)
- 2 large eggs, beaten (room temperature)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- ½ cup vegetable oil or olive oil (for shallow frying)
- 2 cups marinara sauce (homemade or store-bought, about 480 ml)
- 8 oz (225 g) fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced or torn
- Fresh basil leaves (for garnish)
- Extra grated Parmesan cheese (for serving)
Instructions
- Place chicken breasts between two sheets of plastic wrap or parchment paper. Using a meat mallet or rolling pin, gently pound the chicken to an even thickness of about ½ inch (1.3 cm). Season both sides with salt and pepper.
- Set up breading stations: one shallow bowl with flour, a second with beaten eggs, and a third with a mixture of panko breadcrumbs, Italian-seasoned breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, oregano, and red pepper flakes (if using).
- Coat each chicken breast lightly in the flour, shaking off excess. Dip into the beaten eggs, then press firmly into the breadcrumb mixture to coat evenly. Place breaded chicken on a plate and repeat with remaining pieces.
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Heat ½ cup oil in a large skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Fry chicken breasts for 3-4 minutes per side until golden and crispy. Work in batches if needed.
- Transfer fried chicken to an oven-safe baking dish. Spoon marinara sauce evenly over each piece, then top with fresh mozzarella slices. Sprinkle extra Parmesan cheese on top if desired.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly and chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Remove from oven, garnish with fresh basil leaves, and serve immediately with your choice of sides.
Notes
Use a wire rack to drain fried chicken to keep crust crispy. Pat mozzarella dry before layering to reduce moisture. Avoid overcrowding the pan when frying. For dairy-free, substitute mozzarella with vegan cheese and use almond flour for dredging. For gluten-free, use gluten-free flour and breadcrumbs. To keep crust crispy after baking, reheat in oven instead of microwave.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast wit
- Calories: 480
- Fat: 22
- Carbohydrates: 25
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 45
Keywords: chicken parmesan, crispy chicken, homemade dinner, easy chicken recipe, Italian comfort food, baked chicken parmesan