All good Italian girls have to know how to make a fabulous parmesan crusted chicken. Also known as chicken parmigiana, this classic Chicken Parmesan recipe should be in everyone’s recipe box.
Ingredient Lineup
One of the best parts of this recipe is that the ingredients are so easy to find at any grocery store. A full list of ingredients with measurements is available in the printable recipe card below.
- Chicken breasts – Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are the best to use for this parmesan chicken recipe. To get an even thickness, we will pound the chicken pieces to ensure they cook at the same rate.
- Flour – All-purpose flour is the perfect binding agent to allow the breading to stick to your chicken pieces.
- Nutmeg – I like to think of this as my secret ingredient. When added to the breadcrumb mixture, it adds a nutty and delicious flavor that is out of this world.
- Eggs – An egg wash is necessary to make sure the breading mixture sticks to the boneless chicken breasts perfectly.
- Bread crumbs – You can use Italian breadcrumbs, but then omit fresh herbs. If you don’t have fresh herbs, add 1 tablespoon of dried Italian seasoning to plain breadcrumbs.
- Fresh herbs – I like to use a blend of fresh oregano, fresh basil, and parsley to season the breadcrumbs. If you don’t have fresh herbs, you can also use dried Italian seasoning.
- Parmesan cheese – To add just a little extra flavor to our breading mixture, I like to add some parmesan cheese. Freshly grating your own is always preferred.
- Extra virgin olive oil and butter – We need a little olive oil and butter in order to try the chicken in. It prevents sticking and also gives the perfect crispy outer layer.
- Marinara sauce – You can use store-bought sauce or homemade sauce, but I prefer to use my homemade marinara sauce. It’s out of this world delicious.
- Smoked buffalo mozzarella – Mozzarella cheese is like the icing on the cake for this chicken parm recipe. You really just can’t beat fresh mozzarella, so check out my recipe for making your own.
This is How We Do It!
Making chicken parmesan at home has never been easier. Follow the simple steps below!
- Prepare oven and sheet pan. Preheat oven and line a rimmed baking sheet with paper towels.
- Pound chicken. Place one chicken breast between two sheets of plastic wrap or wax paper on a cutting board. Using a tenderizer, pound the chicken breast until it is a uniform thickness, about 1/4 inch or a tiny bit thicker. Continue with remaining breasts. Cut each flattened breast in half, smaller pieces are easier to handle when frying.
- Set up the breading station. You will need three pie plates or mixing bowls. In bowl #1 mix flour, and nutmeg and season with salt and pepper. In bowl #2 beat two eggs. In bowl #3 mix bread crumbs, freshly minced herbs, and parmesan cheese.
- Bread chicken. Working briskly, dredge chicken in flour mixture, then egg mixture and finally bread crumb mixture. Pressing bread crumbs into the breast. The flour is necessary to get the egg to stick and the egg is necessary for the bread crumbs to stick.
- Fry chicken. Place into a hot frying pan. Fry until medium brown. Place on a paper towel-lined baking sheet and into the warm oven.
- Top with sauce and cheese. Plate chicken parmesan on plates and spoon marinara over top along with shredded, smoked buffalo mozzarella.
5S Philosophy 👩🏻
- Salt – Salt helps to bring out the natural flavors of this chicken parmesan. Using a coarse salt lowers sodium without reducing flavor.
- Seasonings – Adding fresh herbs like basil or oregano would only add more flavor to this italian dish.
- Sauces – Marinara is a classic tomato sauce. However, you can also substitute any other sauce of your choice. For example, you can use Alfredo sauce , pesto sauce, vodka sauce or fra diavolo sauce for a different variation.
- Swaps – If you’re trying to cut back on carbs, you can use zucchini noodles instead of regular pasta noodles. Meatless Monday has been trending for the last few years, so feel free to make it with eggplant instead of chicken.
- Senses – The aromas of this chicken parmesan recipe will make your house smell like an Italian kitchen!
Sidekicks that Shine
I usually pair it with a side salad, soup, or bread. Homemade tomato bisque and my cauliflower soup are favorites for this dish. Of course, it tastes grand over a plate of pasta. Since the chicken is the main focus, use any type of pasta you desire.
Crusty bread is also a great option. Make your own easy, no-yeast bread like my potato bread or roast garlic bread. Or opt for my award-winning garlic bread spread or 2-ingredient bread sticks.
Helpful Tips and Answers
They are just two different names for the same exact dish!
The most important step that prevents breading from falling off of chicken parmesan is patting the chicken dry with paper towels. Also, always be sure to use an egg wash so that the breading sticks to the chicken.
If you wind up with rubbery chicken, you have probably overcooked it. Be sure to use a meat thermometer to prevent cooking the chicken for too long.
Storage and Freezing
This dish is perfect for meal prep since you can easily store it in the fridge or freezer. When ready to eat it, just reheat in the microwave or oven. You can add extra sauce to help keep it moist and juicy.
How to Store
You can store this leftover chicken parmesan recipe in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days.
Can I Freeze Chicken Parmesan?
You can also freeze it. Just make sure to tightly wrap it in plastic wrap and store it in an airtight container. It will last for up to three months.
More Easy Italian Recipes
On the search for more meals with Italian flair? Check out these other favorites!
Crispy Parmesan Chicken
Ingredients
- 4 chicken breasts , boneless, skinless
- 1 cup flour
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
- Salt and pepper
- 2 eggs , beaten
- 1 1/2 cup plain bread crumbs*
- 1 teaspoon fresh oregano , finely minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh basil , finely minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian parsley , finely minced
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese , grated
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter , divided
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil , divided
- 1 cup marinara sauce , heated
- 1 cup smoked buffalo mozzarella** , shredded
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 300°F and have a rimmed baking sheet waiting.
- Place one chicken breast between two sheets of plastic wrap or wax paper on a cutting board. Using a meat tenderizer, pound the chicken breast until it is a uniform thickness, about 1/4 inch or a tiny bit thicker. Continue with the remaining breasts. Cut each flattened breast in half, smaller pieces are easier to handle when frying.
- Grab three pie plates or mixing bowls. Work in batches to prevent overcrowding the pan. In bowl #1 mix the flour, nutmeg and season with the salt and pepper. In bowl #2 beat two eggs. In bowl #3 mix the breadcrumbs, freshly minced herbs and Parmesan cheese.
- Heat 1 tablespoons of the butter and 1 tablespoon of the olive oil in large frying pan over medium-high heat.
- Working briskly, dredge the chicken in the flour mixture, then the egg mixture and finally the breadcrumb mixture. Pressing the breadcrumbs into the breast.
- Place each chicken piece into the hot frying pan. Fry for 3-4 minutes on each side or until medium brown. Place on the baking sheet and into the warm oven.
- Continue with remaining breasts, being careful to not crowd the pan. If the frying pan gets dry, melt an additional 1 tablespoon of the butter and 1 tablespoon of the olive oil.
- When ready to serve, top each chicken piece with spoonful of marinara and marinara shredded, smoked buffalo mozzarella. The heat from the sauce should melt the cheese.
- If you've tried this recipe, come back and let us know how you liked it in the comments or star ratings.
Notes
Nutrition
i love chicken. i will definitely try a new one. thanks for the recipe. i will go look around a bit. have a Happy Thanksgiving!! ( :
Regards