Description

This classic Chicken Parmesan recipe features tender chicken cutlets breaded and fried to golden perfection, topped with savory marinara sauce and melted mozzarella cheese. It’s a comforting Italian-American dish perfect for dinner, served best with pasta or a side of vegetables.

Ingredients

Chicken and Breading

2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 large eggs
1 cup breadcrumbs (Italian-style or panko)
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon dried oregano
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper

Sauce and Topping

1 cup marinara sauce
1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
¼ cup fresh basil, chopped (optional)

For Frying

¼ cup olive oil

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Instructions

Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for finishing the chicken with melted cheese and sauce.
Prepare Chicken: Slice the chicken breasts horizontally to create four thin cutlets, ensuring even cooking and easy breading.
Setup Breading Stations: Arrange three shallow bowls: one with flour, another with beaten eggs, and the last with a mixture of breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, oregano, salt, and pepper for coating.
Bread Chicken: Dredge each chicken cutlet first in flour, then dip into the egg, and finally coat it thoroughly with the breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently so the crumbs stick well.
Fry Cutlets: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Fry each breaded cutlet for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown, then transfer the cooked cutlets to a baking dish.
Add Sauce and Cheese: Spoon marinara sauce evenly over each fried cutlet, then sprinkle generously with shredded mozzarella cheese.
Bake: Place the baking dish in the oven and bake for 10-15 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden.
Garnish and Serve: Remove from oven, garnish with fresh chopped basil if desired, and serve hot, ideally over pasta or with your favorite vegetables.

Notes

For extra crispy cutlets, use panko breadcrumbs instead of Italian-style breadcrumbs.
Ensure chicken cutlets are evenly sliced to cook uniformly.
Use fresh basil for garnish to add a bright, fresh flavor.
Leftover Chicken Parmesan can be refrigerated and reheated in the oven to maintain crispiness.
This recipe pairs well with spaghetti, garlic bread, or a fresh green salad.