Chicken Parmesan

🍗 Chicken Parmesan (Chicken Parmigiana)

Description

Chicken Parmesan is a classic Italian-American dish featuring crispy breaded chicken breasts topped with rich marinara sauce and melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. It’s golden, comforting, and incredibly satisfying — perfect for family dinners or special occasions. Traditionally served with spaghetti or a fresh green salad.

📝 Ingredients

Serves: 4
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes

For the Chicken:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

• 1 cup all-purpose flour

• 2 large eggs

• 1 cup breadcrumbs (Italian seasoned or panko)

• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

• Salt and pepper to taste

• 1 tsp garlic powder

• 1 tsp Italian seasoning

• Olive oil (for frying)

For the Topping:

• 2 cups marinara sauce (homemade or store-bought)

• 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese

• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

• Fresh basil (optional, for garnish)

🍳 Instructions

1. Prep the Chicken:
   Pound chicken breasts to even thickness (about ½ inch). Season both sides with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.

2. Coat the Chicken:

   • Dredge each breast in flour, shaking off excess.

   • Dip into beaten eggs.

   • Coat in breadcrumb and Parmesan mixture.

3. Fry the Chicken:
   In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Fry each piece for 3–4 minutes per side until golden brown and crisp.
   (They’ll finish cooking in the oven.)

4. Assemble:
   Place fried chicken on a baking dish. Spoon marinara sauce over each piece and top with mozzarella and Parmesan.

5. Bake:
   Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Bake for 15–20 minutes, or until cheese is bubbly and chicken is fully cooked (internal temperature 165°F / 74°C).

6. Serve:
   Garnish with fresh basil. Serve hot with spaghetti, garlic bread, or a side salad.

🧀 Recipe Notes

• Make Ahead: You can bread and fry the chicken ahead of time, refrigerate, and bake with sauce and cheese when ready to serve.

• Healthier Option: For a lighter version, bake instead of frying. Spray chicken lightly with oil before baking at 425°F (220°C) for 20–25 minutes.

• Cheese Choices: Try provolone or fontina for a richer flavor twist.

• Marinara Tip: A good quality sauce (with a touch of garlic and basil) enhances the whole dish.

💡 Pro Tips

• Pound chicken evenly — this ensures even cooking.

• Let fried chicken rest on a wire rack (not paper towels) to stay crispy.

• Don’t drown the chicken in sauce — too much makes it soggy.

• For extra crunch, mix panko with Italian breadcrumbs.

• Sprinkle fresh herbs right before serving for a bright flavor lift.

🍴 Serving Suggestions

• Classic: Serve over spaghetti with extra marinara sauce.

• Low-carb: Pair with zucchini noodles or steamed vegetables.

• Family-style: Add garlic bread and Caesar salad on the side.

🧮 Nutritional Information (Per Serving)

(Approximation — varies with ingredients)

• Calories: 520 kcal

• Protein: 45 g

• Fat: 25 g

• Carbohydrates: 28 g

• Fiber: 2 g

• Sugar: 5 g

• Sodium: 890 mg

• Cholesterol: 165 mg

🌿 Health Benefits

• High in Protein: Great for muscle maintenance and repair.

• Calcium & Vitamins: Cheese and tomato sauce provide calcium and vitamins A & C.

• Energy Boost: Balanced with carbs, protein, and fats for sustained energy.

• Customizable: Easily adapted to be lower in carbs or gluten-free.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
👉 Yes! Boneless thighs add extra juiciness — just adjust cooking time as they’re thicker.

Q2: Can I freeze Chicken Parmesan?
👉 Absolutely. Freeze after assembling (before baking). Thaw and bake when ready.

Q3: How do I prevent soggy breading?
👉 Let fried chicken cool slightly before topping with sauce, and avoid excess marinara.

Q4: What’s the best cheese combination?
👉 Mozzarella + Parmesan is classic, but adding provolone creates a more gooey texture.

Q5: Can I make it vegetarian?
👉 Yes — substitute the chicken with eggplant slices (for Eggplant Parmesan).