By Becky Hardin
Published Apr 16, 2023
Chicken Parmesan is a classic dish featuring a deliciously crispy coating of breadcrumbs and spices, topped with a simple marinara sauce and melty cheese. This delicious meal is perfect for the whole family! Serve this Chicken Parm recipe over a bed of pasta, with a simple side salad, alongside breadsticks or garlic knots, and so much more! This easy recipe takes less than an hour to cook and makes 4 servings.
What’s in Chicken Parm?
This recipe has been developed to include only necessary ingredients for maximum flavor and ease of cooking. If you like this recipe, be sure to also check out our Fried Chicken Parmesan !
- Chicken: Chicken is a necessary ingredient within this recipe and is the main ingredient in making Chicken Parm.
- Flour: All-purpose flour is essential to help create the breading and crust on the Chicken Parm.
- Eggs: The eggs in this recipe are used to create an egg wash and act as a binder between the chicken cutlets and the Italian breadcrumbs mixture.
- Breadcrumbs: The breadcrumb mixture adds texture to the outside of the chicken and makes up part of the crust.
- Cheese: This recipe uses mozzarella cheese and parmesan cheese to add to the overall flavor of this dish and compliment the marinara sauce.
- Seasonings: This recipe uses the basic spices of Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, and garlic powder to maximize the flavor.
- Oil: Olive oil is used in this recipe to help create a breaded crispy chicken exterior and a golden brown crust.
- Marinara Sauce: This ingredient is essential in any parmesan chicken recipe. For this dish, you can use homemade marinara sauce or store-bought sauce.
- Basil: A little bit of fresh basil adds a lot of flavor to this classic dish.
Vegan Chicken Parmesan
To make this recipe vegan, swap the chicken for seitan chicken or vegan chicken fillets (like Quorn or Beyond), swap the eggs for vegan eggs (like Just Egg or Simply Eggless) or plant-based milk, and swap the cheeses for vegan cheese (like Chao, Kite Hill, or Miyoko’s)! For a vegetarian eggplant parmesan , simply swap the chicken breasts for thinly-sliced eggplant!
Unfortunately, this recipe is not naturally gluten-free. To make chicken parmesan gluten-free, use a gluten-free 1:1 baking flour and gluten-free breadcrumbs.
A single serving of this chicken parmesan has approximately 633 calories. This number will vary based on the ingredients used and the size of your chicken breasts.
While I recommend using boneless, skinless chicken breasts of equal size for the most even results, you can also make this recipe with boneless, skinless chicken thighs. Thighs may take a bit longer to cook, though, so monitor with an instant-read thermometer.
I always pat my chicken dry before breading. Properly dredging the chicken in flour, then eggs, then breadcrumbs will help the breading to stick to the chicken pieces no matter how you cook them.
You sure can! In fact, I have a great air fryer chicken parmesan recipe you can follow!
The easiest way to tell when your chicken is cooked through is to use an instant-read thermometer to check the temperature in the thickest part. Properly cooked chicken should be 165°F internally.
Chicken parmesan and pasta are a classic pairing, but it can be fun to switch it up once in a while! Try this recipe paired with a side of broccoli or roasted tomatoes and garlic bread , creamy mashed potatoes , or pull-apart cheese bread !
How to Store and Reheat Easy Chicken Parmesan
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a 325°F oven for 12-15 minutes, until the chicken is warmed through and the cheese is bubbly. For the crispiest chicken parm, I recommend keeping the breaded chicken breasts separate from the sauce and cheese and assembling the dish just before reheating.
How to Freeze Homemade Chicken Parmesan
Freeze the chicken parm in a single layer on a lined baking sheet until solid, about 1-2 hours. Transfer the frozen chicken breasts to an airtight container or Ziplock bag to store for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
What to Serve with Chicken Parmesan
I like to serve this dish with homemade pasta or instant pot spaghetti for an easy weeknight meal.
It’s also delicious with veggie sides like roasted broccoli , grilled asparagus , or baked tomatoes and a starch, like mashed potatoes , potato wedges , garlic bread , or focaccia !
For some easy all-in-one sides, try oven-baked risotto , Italian pasta salad , or caprese farro salad .
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- ▢ ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ▢ 2 large eggs
- ▢ 1 cup Italian seasoned breadcrumbs
- ▢ ¾ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese divided
- ▢ ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ▢ ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ▢ 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ▢ ⅓ cup olive oil
- ▢ 1 cup marinara sauce store-bought or homemade
- ▢ 1¼ cups freshly grated low-moisture mozzarella cheese
- ▢ 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
Video
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 450°F. Spray a 9×13-inch baking pan with nonstick spray and set aside.
- Slice the chicken breasts in half horizontally to make 4 thin cutlets. Cover with plastic wrap and use a meat mallet to pound them into an even thickness, about ¼-inch thick. 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Prepare your breading station: Grab 3 large shallow bowls. In the first bowl, add the flour. In the second bowl, whisk the eggs until well mixed. In the third bowl, stir together the breadcrumbs, ½ cup parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. ½ cup all-purpose flour, 2 large eggs, 1 cup Italian seasoned breadcrumbs, ¾ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, ½ teaspoon ground black pepper, 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Coat the chicken in the flour, shaking off any excess, then coat it in the beaten eggs. Dredge in the breadcrumbs, pressing them into the chicken so it adheres. Set on a plate and repeat with the remaining chicken.
- In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium heat. Once hot, add in two chicken cutlets. Cook until the chicken is golden brown on both sides, about 2-3 minutes per side. ⅓ cup olive oil
- Place in the prepared 9×13 inch baking dish and repeat with the remaining cutlets, adding more oil to the pan if needed.
- Spoon the marinara sauce over the cutlets. Top with mozzarella and remaining parmesan. Bake for 12-15 minutes, until the cheese is melted and the chicken is cooked through. Top with basil before serving. Enjoy! 1¼ cups freshly grated low-moisture mozzarella cheese, 1 cup marinara sauce, 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
Equipment
- 9×13 Baking Pan
- Cast Iron Skillet
- Instant Read Meat Thermometer (optional)
Becky’s Tips
- Feel free to use boneless, skinless chicken thighs instead of breasts.
- For a gluten-free option, use gluten-free 1:1 baking flour and gluten-free breadcrumbs.
- You can use regular, Panko, or homemade breadcrumbs.
- Feel free to omit the Parmesan cheese or use a different hard cheese, such as Pecorino Romano, Grana Padano, or Asiago.
- You can use sliced or grated mozzarella cheese.
- As an alternative to mozzarella cheese, try provolone.
- You can use any neutral oil in place of olive oil, such as avocado oil or vegetable oil.
- Pat the chicken dry before dredging. This will help the breading to adhere better.
- Chicken is fully cooked when it registers 165°F in the thickest part on an instant-read thermometer.
- If planning to have leftovers, store the chicken, sauce, and cheese separately and assemble before reheating. This will prevent soggy breading.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
More Chicken Parmesan Recipes We Love
- Baked Chicken Parmesan
- Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan
- Crispy Chicken Parmesan
- Chicken Parmesan Casserole
- Chicken Parmesan Meatballs
- Chicken Parmesan Soup
- Chicken Parmesan Pasta Skillet
- Chicken Parmesan Sliders
Chicken Parmesan Recipe
Equipment
- 9x13 Baking Pan
- Cast Iron Skillet
- Instant Read Meat Thermometer (optional)
Ingredients
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup Italian seasoned breadcrumbs
- ¾ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese divided
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ⅓ cup olive oil
- 1 cup marinara sauce store-bought or homemade
- 1¼ cups freshly grated low-moisture mozzarella cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 450°F. Spray a 9x13-inch baking pan with nonstick spray and set aside.
- Slice the chicken breasts in half horizontally to make 4 thin cutlets. Cover with plastic wrap and use a meat mallet to pound them into an even thickness, about ¼-inch thick. 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Prepare your breading station: Grab 3 large shallow bowls. In the first bowl, add the flour. In the second bowl, whisk the eggs until well mixed. In the third bowl, stir together the breadcrumbs, ½ cup parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. ½ cup all-purpose flour, 2 large eggs, 1 cup Italian seasoned breadcrumbs, ¾ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, ½ teaspoon ground black pepper, 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Coat the chicken in the flour, shaking off any excess, then coat it in the beaten eggs. Dredge in the breadcrumbs, pressing them into the chicken so it adheres. Set on a plate and repeat with the remaining chicken.
- In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium heat. Once hot, add in two chicken cutlets. Cook until the chicken is golden brown on both sides, about 2-3 minutes per side. ⅓ cup olive oil
- Place in the prepared 9x13 inch baking dish and repeat with the remaining cutlets, adding more oil to the pan if needed.
- Spoon the marinara sauce over the cutlets. Top with mozzarella and remaining parmesan. Bake for 12-15 minutes, until the cheese is melted and the chicken is cooked through. Top with basil before serving. Enjoy! 1¼ cups freshly grated low-moisture mozzarella cheese, 1 cup marinara sauce, 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
Video
Notes
- Feel free to use boneless, skinless chicken thighs instead of breasts.
- For a gluten-free option, use gluten-free 1:1 baking flour and gluten-free breadcrumbs.
- You can use regular, Panko, or homemade breadcrumbs.
- Feel free to omit the Parmesan cheese or use a different hard cheese, such as Pecorino Romano, Grana Padano, or Asiago.
- You can use sliced or grated mozzarella cheese.
- As an alternative to mozzarella cheese, try provolone.
- You can use any neutral oil in place of olive oil, such as avocado oil or vegetable oil.
- Pat the chicken dry before dredging. This will help the breading to adhere better.
- Chicken is fully cooked when it registers 165°F in the thickest part on an instant-read thermometer.
- If planning to have leftovers, store the chicken, sauce, and cheese separately and assemble before reheating. This will prevent soggy breading.
Nutrition
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
