This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
Deliciously crispy chicken parmesan is smothered in marinara and served over pasta for a restaurant-quality dish made right at home!
Like our Chicken Parmigiana, this chicken parmesan is a family-favorite Italian dish! We love to serve it up with a side salad and some Cheesy Garlic Bread.
We Love this Italian-American Dish!
Chicken parmesan is a popular Italian-American dish that features breaded and fried chicken cutlets topped with marinara sauce and melted cheese.
While it may have roots in Italian cuisine, it is not considered an authentic Italian dish. Nevertheless, chicken parm has become a beloved and iconic dish in Italian-American cuisine and one my family LOVES!
Why we love it:
- A quick prep. There are just a few steps to make this dinner dish.
- Crispy and tasty. This recipe is packed with flavors and textures using only a few ingredients!
- For kids! It’s always a hit with the kids. You better believe it’s a favorite chicken dinner at our house!
Ingredients
- chicken breasts – I use boneless skinless chicken breasts. For darker meat, use boneless, skinless chicken thighs as well. The chicken can also be replaced with veal or even eggplant, for a vegetarian version.
- egg
- milk
- bread crumbs – Use regular plain breadcrumbs or crispier panko breadcrumbs.
- salt
- black pepper
- garlic powder
- parmesan cheese
- marinara sauce – Use your favorite store-bought brand or a Homemade Marinara Sauce.
- shredded mozzarella cheese
How to Make Chicken Parmesan
- PREP. Preheat the oven to 375°F. Cut the chicken breasts in half horizontally to form six thin cutlets.
- COAT. In a shallow bowl, whisk together the egg and milk. In another shallow dish, whisk together dry ingredients. Dip each chicken cutlet in the egg mixture, then dredge in the breadcrumb mixture, making sure to coat both sides with breadcrumbs.
- BAKE. Place the breaded chicken cutlets on a greased baking sheet, and spray with cooking spray. Bake 25-30 minutes, until browned and cooked through.
- SERVE. Spread ¼ cup of marinara sauce on each of the cutlets, then sprinkle each with ¼ cup of mozzarella cheese. Return to the oven and cook until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Serve hot over pasta or rice.
Air Fryer Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 375°F.
- Prepare each chicken breast as directed. Spray the chicken lightly with cooking spray to help achieve a crispy texture.
- Cook the chicken in the air fryer for about 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through, or until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through.
- Open the air fryer basket and top each cutlet with marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Ingredient Tips
- Chicken prep. Cut the chicken breasts to form thinner cutlets, they cook more evenly and quickly. If the thickness varies through the cutlet use a kitchen mallet to flatten the chicken to ensure even cooking and create a more tender texture.
- Place each breast between two sheets of plastic wrap and use a meat mallet, rolling pin, or a heavy pan to gently pound it to an even thickness.
- Pasta. Spaghetti is a classic choice but linguine and fettuccine are long and wide alternatives. Or choose a shorter tubular pasta like penne pasta or rigatoni, or a bed of zucchini noodles.
- Serving suggestions. To complement this delicious chicken parmesan dish you can serve side dishes such as a fresh side salad, a side of garlic bread, steamed vegetables, or roasted potatoes.
Storing Info
- Make ahead of time. Bread and bake until fully cooked, but skip the step of adding the marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese.
- Cool and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator or freezer.
- Prepare the marinara sauce and store it separately in the refrigerator or freezer.
- To heat. Preheat your oven to 375°F. Place thawed chicken cutlets on a baking sheet. Spoon marinara sauce onto each cutlet, then sprinkle with shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Bake the chicken in the preheated oven for about 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the chicken is heated through.
- STORE leftover easy chicken parmesan in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days or in the freezer for 1-2 months.
- Reheat in the microwave or oven. Preheat the oven to 375°F and bake for 10-15 minutes or 30-40 minutes if frozen.
For More Italian Dishes:
Chicken Parmesan Recipe
Deliciously crispy chicken parmesan is smothered in marinara and served over pasta for a restaurant-quality dish made right at home!
Ingredients
- 3 large chicken breasts
- 1 egg
- 2 tablespoons milk
- ¾ cup bread crumbs
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons parmesan cheese
- 1½ cups marinara sauce
- 1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F.
- Cut the chicken breasts in half horizontally to form six thin cutlets.
- In a shallow dish, whisk together the egg and milk. In another shallow dish, whisk together the bread crumbs, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and parmesan cheese. Dip each chicken cutlet in the egg mixture, then in the breadcrumb mixture, making sure to coat both sides with breadcrumbs.
- Place the chicken cutlets on a greased baking sheet, and spray them with cooking spray. Bake 25-30 minutes, until browned and cooked through.
- Spread ¼ cup of marinara sauce on each of the cutlets, then sprinkle each with ¼ cup of mozzarella cheese. Return to the oven and cook until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Serve hot over pasta or rice.
Video
Nutrition
Serving: 1g, Calories: 239kcal, Carbohydrates: 14g, Protein: 23g, Fat: 10g, Saturated Fat: 5g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 3g, Trans Fat: 0.01g, Cholesterol: 87mg, Sodium: 1057mg, Potassium: 466mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 4g, Vitamin A: 533IU, Vitamin C: 5mg, Calcium: 209mg, Iron: 2mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Making this recipe? Tag us!
Share it with us on Instagram using the hashtag #lilluna, so we can see what you’re creating in the kitchen!
