Chicken Parmesan Recipe (2024)

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by Stephanie on August 29, 2022 (Updated January 7, 2024)62*This post may contain affiliate links. Read more »

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This restaurant-worthy Chicken Parmesan recipe is easy to make and bake in the oven with marinara and mozzarella! Serve this with pasta for an Italian dinner that your family will love!

Be sure to try my Italian Sausage Pasta recipe next!

Chicken Parmesan

You’ve just foundthecrispiest, most restaurant-worthy Chicken Parmesan recipe out there! In this recipe, I use some chef-inspired techniques combined with years of my own chicken parmesan-making experience to create the best dishthat you and your family will love!

Each layer in this breading has the best flavors and textures. And baking the chicken parmesan on a baking sheet (instead of in a dish with marinara sauce), ensures that you have super crispy chicken that will staycrispy until the very last bite.

Be sure to read through mypro tipsto guarantee success with this recipe, and to see why it really isthe best!

How to Make It

See recipe card below this post for ingredient quantities and full instructions.

Slice the chicken to create 2-3 thinner slices. Use a meat tenderizer to pound to 1/2-inch thick. Pat dry and season with salt and pepper. Dredge in flour, egg, and breadcrumb mixtures and fry in oil until crispy. Set aside on a wire cooling rack.

Chicken Parmesan Recipe (2)

Transfer chicken to a baking sheet and top with marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese. Bake for 15 minutes. Garnish with parsley and serve!

Chicken Parmesan Recipe (3)

Make Ahead Method

Refrigerator Method (1-2 days ahead)

  • Prepare and refrigerate: Bread and fry the chicken as outlined, don’t add sauce/cheese. Let it cool completely. Cover in an airtight container and refrigerate for 1-2 days.
  • When ready to serve:Place chicken in a casserole dish (without cheese/sauce), cover and bake at425° for 10 minutes to heat it through. Remove cover and spoon sauce on top and add cheese. Bake uncovered for 15 minutes, or until cheese is melted.Serve!

Freezer Method: (3-4 months ahead)

  • Prepare and freeze: Bread and fry the chicken as outlined, don’t add sauce/cheese. Flash freeze on a large plate for 1-2 hours. Wrap individually in foil and place in a labeled gallon freezer bag, seal out the air. Store for 3-4 months.
  • When ready to serve: Let thaw completely overnight. Place breaded chicken in a casserole dish. Cover and bake at 425° for 10 minutes to heat it through. Remove cover and spoon sauce on top and add cheese. Bake uncovered for 15 minutes, or until cheese is melted.Serve!

Pro Tips

  • Pound the chicken thin:This is how the restaurants serve it. Note the chicken plumps up a little bit when cooked, so go thin!
  • For the egg layer: Beat the eggs until super frothy to make them light and airy, that’s key! Use your fingers to slide excess egg coating off of the chicken gently, so that it is wet enough to grip the breadcrumbs, but not so much that it will bleed through the breading.
  • Make sure the oil is sufficiently heated before you add the chicken, this ensures the breading stays intact as it should fry immediately. Otherwise it can get soggy and won’t be as crispy.
  • I like to bread 1-2 pieces of chicken at a time instead of all at once. While the first batch fries, I’ll bread the next batch. This keeps things extra crispy.
  • Small adjustments to the heat, up/down, will be needed throughout frying to ensure it doesn’t get too hot or too cool.
  • Low Moisture, Whole Milk mozzarella will melt the best. Shred it from a block, it will melt and taste best that way.
  • I use Dragone mozzarella and Belgioioso parmesan cheese for this recipe.
  • Bake these on a baking sheet instead of in a skillet/casserole dish. This ensures the bottom and sides stay super crispy, and there is plenty of room for the chicken. Overlapping or crowding a dish will also lead to soggy results. I’m all about the crisp. You can always spoon marinara on a plate and serve the Chicken Parmesan on top!
  • Be sure to serve this with some Garlic Bread with Cheese. My Pink Sauce Pasta is a nice addition as well!

Storage

  • Store in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months.Leftovers freeze well!
  • To reheat: Thaw completely and bake in a covered casserole dish at 350° for 20-25 minutes.

Chicken Parmesan Recipe (4)

Tools For This Recipe

(Amazon affiliate links)- Check out all of my kitchen essentials here.

  • Meat Tenderizer– To pound the chicken flat and make it extra tender.
  • Slotted Spatula– I use this to remove the chicken from the oil and place it on a wire cooling rack. It allows excess oil to drip underneath which keeps it crispy.
  • Kitchen Tongs– I use these (along with a spatula) to carefully handle the chicken for flipping. This keeps it intact and allows me to ensure oil doesn’t splatter.
  • Wire Cooling Racks– Placing the chicken on this after frying allows excess oil to drop from the bottom, keeping it extra crispy.
  • Large Baking Sheet– I use this light colored baking sheet. There is plenty of room- for all of the chicken.
  • Box Cheese Grater– Shred/grate the cheese from a block for best texture and flavor.
  • Meat Thermometer– To ensure the middle of the chicken is cooked to 165°.

Try These Next

Stromboli
Baked Ravioli
Stuffed Chicken Breast

Creamy Chicken Pasta
Hot Honey Chicken
Italian Sausage Pasta

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Chicken Parmesan Recipe (11)

Chicken Parmesan Recipe

Prep Time: 25 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes minutes

Total Time: 55 minutes minutes

5 from 23 ratings

Servings: 4 people

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This restaurant-worthy Chicken Parmesan recipe is easy to make and bake in the oven to serve with pasta and garlic bread!

Ingredients

US Customary - Metric

Chicken

  • 2 large boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • Salt/Pepper
  • ¼ cup vegetable oil, or as needed

Flour Mixture

  • ½ cup flour
  • 1 ½ teaspoons seasoned salt
  • ¼ teaspoon pepper

Eggs

  • 2 eggs, beaten until frothy
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder

Breading

  • 1 ½ cups panko breadcrumbs
  • 1/3 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
  • 1 teaspoon dried parsley
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano

Cheese & Topping

  • 1 cup marinara sauce
  • 1 ½ cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
  • Fresh Parsley, to garnish

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 425°.

  • Combine the flour, egg, and breading mixtures in 3 separate shallow pans. (Be sure to beat the eggs until very frothy, this ensures they’re light/airy and not too dense.)

  • Slice the chicken in half lengthwise to create 2-3 thinner slices. Cover with plastic wrap and use the textured side of a meat mallet to pound it to ½ inch thick. (Thin is key here.) Pat dry. Sprinkle each side lightly with salt/pepper.

  • Dredge completely in the flour mixture, working the flour into every nook and cranny of the chicken. Tap off excess.

  • Dip the chicken in the egg mixture until just coated, use your fingers to slide off excess. (Too much egg left on the chicken can bleed through the breading, which will make it less crispy.)

  • Coat the chicken generously in the breadcrumbs.

  • Heat oil over medium-high heat. Once glistening, add the first batch of chicken, don’t overcrowd the skillet. Brown on each side for 3-4 minutes, until golden. If the oil gets too hot, adjust it down slightly, and adjust it up again later if needed.

  • Remove chicken with a slotted spatula and set on a wire cooling rack. Repeat with remaining chicken.

  • Transfer the chicken to a large, light colored baking sheet. (Dark baking sheets attract more heat and can cook the chicken too quickly.)

  • Top with marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese.

  • Bake uncovered for 12 minutes. Broil at 425° for 1-2 minutes at the end if you’d like to brown the top a little more, watch it closely during this time.

  • Garnish with fresh parsley and serve with spaghetti and garlic bread with cheese. Ensure the internal temperature is 165° prior to serving.

Notes

Pro Tips

  • Make sure the oil is sufficiently heated before you add the chicken, this ensures the breading stays intact as it should fry immediately. Otherwise it can get soggy and won't be as crispy.
  • I like to bread 1-2 pieces of chicken at a time instead of all at once. While the first batch fries, I'll bread the next batch. This keeps things extra crispy.
  • Small adjustments to the heat, up/down, may be needed throughout frying to ensure it doesn't get too hot or too cool.
  • Low Moisture, Whole Milk mozzarella will melt the best. Shred it from a block, it will melt and taste best that way.
  • I use Dragone mozzarella and Belgioioso parmesan cheese for this recipe.
  • Ensure the internal temperature of the chicken is 165° prior to serving.

Storage

  • Store in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months.Leftovers freeze well!
  • To reheat: Thaw completely and bake in a covered casserole dish at 350° for 20-25 minutes.

The nutritional information provided is an estimate and is per serving. There are 4 servings in this recipe.

Nutrition

Calories: 541kcal, Carbohydrates: 34g, Protein: 32g, Fat: 30g, Saturated Fat: 10g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 9g, Monounsaturated Fat: 8g, Trans Fat: 0.1g, Cholesterol: 158mg, Sodium: 1834mg, Potassium: 543mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 4g, Vitamin A: 767IU, Vitamin C: 5mg, Calcium: 363mg, Iron: 3mg

Did you try this recipe?Mention @TheCozyCook on Instagram or tag #thecozycook!

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Italian

Author: Stephanie

Chicken Recipes Dinner Freezer Food Italian Make Ahead Recipes Our Favorite Recipes

posted by Stephanie on August 29, 2022 — 62 Comments »

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Leave a Comment & Rate this Recipe

62 comments on “Chicken Parmesan Recipe”

  1. Ashley February 24, 2024 @ 12:57 am Reply

    Absolutely the best chicken parm or chicken alone I have ever made! Soooo good

    • Stephanie February 24, 2024 @ 9:49 am Reply

      I am so happy to hear that Ashley!!! Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a review!! ❤️ You’re the best! -Stephanie

  2. Michelle Cook February 19, 2024 @ 8:40 pm Reply

    Made this tonight because I wanted something other than baked chicken for change…🤣
    This recipe is easy and delicious!!
    My only regret was making it on a Monday and not Sunday… but time wasn’t bad at all honestly… I’m just tired after work 😴😂
    Another great recipe by The Cozy Cook!!

    • Stephanie February 20, 2024 @ 8:56 am Reply

      I’m so happy you liked it Michelle! Thanks so much for the great review!🩷

  3. Sheri February 17, 2024 @ 11:45 pm Reply

    My son is very picky when it comes to chicken. He really likes this version. I even make extra and freeze for him to take home for later.

    • Stephanie February 18, 2024 @ 9:34 am Reply

      I am soooooo happy to hear that Sheri!!! Thank you so so much. ❤️

  4. Saima January 28, 2024 @ 5:20 pm Reply

    Do you make your own seasoning salt?? Or do you buy it directly from the store?

    • Stephanie January 28, 2024 @ 6:43 pm Reply

      I use Morton seasoned salt from the store 🙂

  5. chelsea January 22, 2024 @ 6:05 pm Reply

    sorry probably a stupid question.
    Do I cook the marinara sauce(store bought)before we put it on the chicken, in the oven?
    Super excited to make it for dinner tonight!

    • Stephanie January 22, 2024 @ 6:29 pm Reply

      Hi Chelsea! You don’t need to cook the sauce before you place it on the chicken. Enjoy! 🙂

  6. Busy mom January 7, 2024 @ 11:47 am Reply

    My family said this was a restaurant meal. The technique for cooking the chicken works great. I used sliced fresh mozzarella instead of grated and I also topped each dish with a few leaves of basil.

    • Stephanie January 7, 2024 @ 12:07 pm Reply

      I’m sooo glad that you and your family loved the recipe!!! WAHOO!!! I was just thinking about making this today, I think I must! 🙂 Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a review!

  7. Paul Bryant January 6, 2024 @ 1:00 pm Reply

    Hi there. I loved your baked ravioli dish, so I’m going to try this now! Question please… I only have a dark colored baking pan. It also has a wire rack in it. Should I bake the chicken on the wire rack? Or remove the wire rack and use some parchment paper instead? Just wondering what might be best… Thank you.

    • Stephanie January 6, 2024 @ 3:21 pm Reply

      Hi Paul! You can use parchment paper but I would check to see what the temperature limitation is. Otherwise, go for the rack! 🙂 I hope you love it!

  8. Alexandra Sawyer December 4, 2023 @ 10:53 am Reply

    So straight-forward and tasty. There is nothing like a solid chicken parm recipe like this one!

    • Stephanie December 5, 2023 @ 9:26 am Reply

      Can’t beat a good chicken parm. Whenever I try a new Italian restaurant I usually go right for the chicken parm. I’m so happy you liked this one Alexandra, thanks so much!🩷

  9. Vihammie F November 13, 2023 @ 2:16 pm Reply

    OMG! THIS WAS AWSOME! I GLAD I MADE IT, WISH I COULD LEAVE A PHOTO. IT TURNED OUT JUST AS PICTURED🥰 OMG THE BEST RECIPE THANKS FOR SHARING 👍😊

    • Stephanie November 13, 2023 @ 5:59 pm Reply

      I am sooo happy that it was picture-perfect Vihammie!! Excellent! Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a review as well, I really appreciate it! -Stephanie

  10. Rita November 7, 2023 @ 4:26 pm Reply

    This was one of the best chicken parmesan I have ever made, thank you for the recipe

    • Stephanie November 7, 2023 @ 7:49 pm Reply

      You’re very welcome Rita, thanks so much for the great comments! I’m so happy you liked it!🩷

Chicken Parmesan Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between chicken parmigiana and chicken parmesan? ›

Chicken Parmesan and chicken Parmigiana are just different names for the same exact recipe. And, with a name like “chicken Parmigiana”, you might assume that this recipe is Italian. While it has roots in Italy (in a way), chicken Parmesan is all-American.

What is the best pasta to serve with chicken parmesan? ›

A thicker, stout pasta shape, like a ridged rigatoni, works well with chicken parmesan because it matches the heft and satisfying texture of the protein. The sauce is also able to cling to the ridges on the surface of the pasta and become a vehicle for aromatics, like crushed garlic and fresh herbs.

Why is chicken parmesan not called chicken mozzarella? ›

“Why is it called chicken parmesan if the cheese chefs use is mozzarella?” It's a great question and one that isn't so easy to answer! Some believe that it was created in Parma, hence the name.

What is the fancy name for chicken parmesan? ›

Chicken parmesan or chicken parmigiana (Italian: pollo alla parmigiana) is a dish that consists of breaded chicken breast covered in tomato sauce and mozzarella, Parmesan, or provolone.

Which is more fattening chicken parm or eggplant parm? ›

Eggplant parmesan is a lot healthier for you than chicken, but it comes at the cost of being a lot less filling.

Why does the breading fall off my chicken parm? ›

Place the breaded chicken on a cooling rack (or a platter) and chill in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes. This cooling time will help the layers of breading ingredients solidify and adhere better after the chicken cooks. Once you start cooking the chicken, be patient and don't flip it over too early.

Why does my chicken parm get soggy? ›

Fortunately, you can avoid this by merely switching the placement of the cheese and sauce. While the typical method for making chicken parmesan is to spread the sauce across the chicken first and then follow with cheese, this is a one-way ticket to a soggy mess.

What to use instead of breadcrumbs for chicken parm? ›

For ¼ cup fine, dry bread crumbs, substitute any of these items:
  1. ¾ cup soft bread crumbs.
  2. ¼ cup panko.
  3. ¼ cup cracker or pretzel crumbs.
  4. ¼ cup crushed cornflakes or other unsweetened cereals.
  5. ⅔ cup regular rolled oats (Use this only as a substitute for bread crumbs in meat loaf and other meat mixtures, such as burgers.
May 24, 2023

What side do you eat with chicken parmesan? ›

Pasta Dishes

A bona fide classic, nothing goes better with a cheesy, chicken parmigiana recipe than a hearty pasta side. Pasta recipes are tasty and simple, which makes them the ultimate pairing for your protein-packed main.

What not to put with parmesan? ›

“Requesting grated parmesan on every dish is a huge faux-pas,” stresses Sclare. “An Italian would never put parmesan on a crab linguine or a shrimp tagliatelle.” The same goes for dishes containing truffles, says Baldini, as this kills the delicate balance of flavours.

Do they eat chicken parm in Italy? ›

Despite being a staple of Italian-American cuisine, “chicken parmesan” is nowhere to be found in Italy. Instead, Italians nosh on parmigiana – eggplant layered with tomato sauce and cheese.

Why is chicken parm so good? ›

Chicken parmigiana encompasses everything we love about Italian food in one bite—the chicken's juicy interior, the crisp coating of the fried breadcrumbs on the meat's exterior, the bright and slightly sweet flavor of the rich tomato sauce, and the silky texture of the mozzarella, slightly browned under a broiler.

Is chicken parmesan always served with pasta? ›

Paired with an aromatic tomato sauce, the chicken has an appetizing crunch and satisfying heft. Accompany your chicken parmesan with some pasta and you're looking at a deeply filling meal that's carby and crispy in equal measure. While chicken parm is often served with spaghetti in restaurants, it isn't mandatory.

Is there a difference between parmesan and parmigiana? ›

Parmesan Cheese in Italy

In the European Union, “parmesan” is accepted as a translation of Parmigiano-Reggiano. Within these countries, the two terms refer to the same cheese.

Why do Americans say parmigiana? ›

The common American pronunciation of “parmesan” as if it were spelled “parmigian” is due to the verbal influence of Italian immigrants; you'll similarly hear Americans pronounce “braciole” as “brashol/brazhol/brajol" and prosciutto as “proSHOOT/proZHOOT”, and “pasta fa*gioli” as “pasta faZOOL/pasta faZHOOL”, all also ...

What makes something parmigiana? ›

Variations and offroots aside, parmigiana dishes contain certain basic ingredients: chicken breast or veal scallopini (or eggplant), breadcrumbs, Italian seasonings, tomato sauce, and mozzarella cheese.

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