Crispy Chicken Parmesan
A quick and easy crispy chicken parmesan recipe featuring golden-crisp breaded chicken breasts topped with marinara sauce and melted mozzarella cheese, perfect for a satisfying dinner.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 6 ounces/170 grams each), pounded to even thickness
- 1 cup (120g) all-purpose flour (for dredging)
- 2 large eggs, beaten (room temperature)
- 1 ½ cups (150g) Italian-style breadcrumbs (Panko recommended for extra crunch)
- ½ cup (50g) grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Olive oil or vegetable oil, for frying (enough to cover the pan about ¼ inch deep)
- 1 ½ cups (375ml) marinara sauce (homemade or store-bought)
- 8 ounces (225g) fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced or shredded
- Fresh basil leaves (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Trim any excess fat from the chicken breasts. Place each breast between two sheets of plastic wrap and pound gently with a meat mallet or rolling pin until about ½ inch (1.3 cm) thick. Set aside.
- Set up dredging stations: season flour with salt and pepper in one shallow bowl, beat eggs in a second bowl, and combine Italian breadcrumbs with grated Parmesan cheese in a third bowl.
- Dredge each chicken breast in the flour, shaking off excess. Dip into beaten eggs, letting extra drip off. Press into breadcrumb-Parmesan mixture, coating evenly and pressing gently.
- Heat about ¼ inch (6 mm) of olive or vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat. When oil is hot (breadcrumb sizzles on contact), fry chicken breasts for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown and crispy. Remove and drain on paper towels.
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Spread a thin layer of marinara sauce in a baking dish. Place fried chicken breasts on top, spoon more sauce over each, and layer mozzarella evenly. Bake for 15-18 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly. Optionally broil for 1-2 minutes for a golden crust.
Notes
For the crispiest chicken, use dry breadcrumbs. Maintain medium oil temperature to avoid burning or greasy chicken. Do not overcrowd the pan when frying. Use fresh mozzarella for best melt and texture. Broil briefly at the end for a golden cheese crust. For gluten-free, substitute flour and breadcrumbs with almond flour and gluten-free panko. To reheat leftovers, use a 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes to restore crispiness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: One chicken breast w
- Calories: 450500
- Fat: 20
- Carbohydrates: 20
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 45
Keywords: crispy chicken parmesan, chicken parmesan recipe, easy chicken parmesan, Italian chicken dinner, breaded chicken, mozzarella chicken, marinara chicken