Description
This classic Chicken Parmesan recipe features crispy breaded chicken cutlets topped with savory marinara sauce and melted mozzarella cheese, all cooked to perfection in a skillet. Ready in just under 25 minutes, it’s a quick and comforting Italian-American favorite perfect for weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Breading
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs)
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- â…“ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
- 1 egg
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
Cooking and Toppings
- ¼ cup cooking oil
- ½ cup marinara sauce
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken cutlets: Use a sharp knife to carefully filet the chicken breasts lengthwise into two thin cutlets each, making 4 cutlets total. Alternatively, use pre-cut chicken cutlets for convenience.
- Season the chicken: Lightly season both sides of each chicken cutlet with a pinch of salt, freshly cracked black pepper, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder to enhance the flavor.
- Bread the chicken: In one shallow bowl, mix breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and freshly cracked pepper. In a second shallow bowl, whisk the egg until smooth. In a third shallow bowl, place the flour. Dredge each chicken cutlet first in flour, shaking off excess, then dip into the beaten egg, letting excess drip off. Finally, coat thoroughly in the seasoned breadcrumb mixture on both sides.
- Cook the chicken: Heat the cooking oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until very hot. Add the chicken cutlets and cook without moving until the underside is golden brown, about 5 minutes.
- Add sauce and cheese: Flip the chicken cutlets. Reduce the heat to medium. Spoon 2 tablespoons of marinara sauce over each cutlet, then sprinkle ¼ cup shredded mozzarella cheese on top. Cover the skillet with a lid to trap heat, allowing the cheese to melt and the chicken to cook through, about 5–7 minutes more.
- Garnish and serve: Remove the lid and sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the chicken, if using. Serve hot with your choice of pasta and extra marinara sauce.
Notes
- For even cooking, pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness before slicing.
- If you prefer a crispier crust, finish the chicken under a broiler for 1-2 minutes after melting the cheese.
- Use low-moisture mozzarella for less sogginess.
- Serve with your favorite pasta or a fresh green salad for a complete meal.
