How to Make Chicken Parmesan Perfectly Every Time

Are you looking to impress your dinner guests with a delicious Italian dish? Chicken Parmesan might be just the thing you’re after! With its crispy, breaded chicken covered in melted cheese and tomato sauce, this classic recipe is always a crowd-pleaser. And the best part is, it’s easier to make than you might think!

To start, you’ll need a few basic ingredients: chicken breasts, breadcrumbs, eggs, flour, tomato sauce, and shredded mozzarella cheese. You can use store-bought sauce and cheese, or make your own if you’re feeling ambitious. After breading the chicken, you simply fry it up until it’s golden brown, then add sauce and cheese and pop it in the oven to bake until hot and bubbly. Serve over pasta or alongside some garlic bread for a complete Italian feast! Let’s dive into the details of how to make this scrumptious dish.

Choosing the Right Chicken and Cheese

When it comes to making chicken parmesan, the quality of your ingredients is key. You’ll want to start with fresh, boneless, skinless chicken breasts that are of a consistent thickness so that they cook evenly. Make sure to rinse and pat dry your chicken, and if necessary, use a meat tenderizer to make them more uniform in thickness.

Next, it’s important to choose the right type of cheese for your chicken parmesan. Traditional recipes call for grated Parmesan cheese, but many people also use a combination of mozzarella and Parmesan. You can either grate the cheese yourself or purchase pre-shredded cheese.

Coating the Chicken

One of the most important steps in making chicken parmesan is creating a crispy, flavorful coating for your chicken. Begin by dipping each breast in beaten eggs to help the breading adhere. Next, dredge the chicken in a mixture of breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, and seasonings such as garlic powder, dried basil, and black pepper. Make sure to press the breading mixture onto the chicken firmly so that it sticks.

Sautéing the Chicken

Once your chicken is coated, it’s time to start cooking. Heat a generous amount of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, and carefully add the breaded chicken to the pan. Cook for 2-3 minutes on each side or until golden brown and crispy. Avoid overcrowding the pan, which can cause the chicken to stick together and prevent it from browning evenly.

Making the Sauce

While your chicken is cooking, it’s important to make a flavorful marinara sauce to top your parmesan-encrusted chicken. You can use canned tomato sauce or diced tomatoes as the base for your sauce, and simmer it with ingredients such as garlic, onion, basil, and oregano. If you want to add a little kick to your sauce, add a pinch of red pepper flakes.

Adding the Cheese

Once your sauce is ready, it’s time to add the cheese to your chicken parmesan. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F, and transfer your cooked chicken to a baking dish. Spoon a generous amount of marinara sauce over each breast, and top with shredded mozzarella and/or Parmesan cheese. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Serving Suggestions

Chicken parmesan is a delicious, hearty dish that pairs perfectly with a variety of sides. Consider serving it with spaghetti or another type of pasta, or with a side salad and garlic bread. You can also add vegetables such as sautéed mushrooms or roasted zucchini to round out your meal.

Variations on the Classic Recipe

While traditional chicken parmesan is made with breaded chicken, marinara sauce, and cheese, there are many variations on this classic recipe. You can try using different types of cheese, such as provolone or asiago, or adding other ingredients to your sauce, such as fresh basil or diced bell peppers. You can also experiment with different coatings for your chicken, such as panko breadcrumbs or crushed cornflakes.

Tips for Success

Making chicken parmesan can be a bit of a process, but with a few simple tips, you can ensure that your dish turns out perfectly every time. Always start with high-quality ingredients, and take your time when coating and cooking the chicken. Make sure to use a meat thermometer to ensure that your chicken is fully cooked, and let it rest for a few minutes before serving to allow the cheese and sauce to set.

Final Thoughts

Chicken parmesan is a classic Italian dish that has become a favorite of families and foodies around the world. By following these simple steps, you can create a delicious and satisfying meal that is sure to impress. Whether you stick to the traditional recipe or put your own spin on it, chicken parmesan is a dish that is always worth the effort.

Ingredients for Chicken Parmesan

Chicken Parmesan is a classic dish that is enjoyed by many. The crispy chicken, the tangy tomato sauce, and the melty cheese make it a hit with everyone. Here are the ingredients that you will need to make chicken parmesan:

1. Chicken breasts: The main ingredient in this dish is the chicken breasts. The best chicken breasts to use are the ones that are thin and evenly sized.

2. Flour: You will need flour to coat the chicken breasts before frying them. It helps to create a crisp outer layer.

3. Eggs: You will also need eggs to dip the chicken in before coating them with flour.

4. Breadcrumbs: Breadcrumbs add an extra layer of crunch to the chicken.

5. Parmesan cheese: Parmesan cheese is what gives this dish its name. It is added to the breadcrumbs to create a delicious crust.

6. Salt and pepper: These basic ingredients add flavor to the chicken.

7. Olive oil: You will need olive oil to fry the chicken breasts.

8. Marinara sauce: Marinara sauce is added to the chicken breasts before baking them. It adds a tangy flavor to the dish.

9. Mozzarella cheese: Mozzarella cheese is added on top of the chicken breasts before baking them. It melts perfectly and complements the dish.

10. Fresh basil: Fresh basil is a great garnish for chicken parmesan. It adds a pop of color and flavor to the dish.

Now that you have all the ingredients, let’s move on to the next step – preparing the chicken breasts.

Chicken Parmesan Ingredients

Making chicken parmesan is easy when you have all the ingredients ready. Here are the main ingredients you need:

Preparation

Before you start preparing the chicken parmesan, make sure you have all the ingredients within reach. It makes the job easier and faster.

Preparing the Chicken Breasts

Take the chicken breasts and trim off any excess fat or skin. Use a meat mallet or rolling pin to pound the chicken breasts evenly to about 1/4 inch thickness. Season both sides with salt and black pepper.

Breading the Chicken

Take three shallow dishes. In the first one, add the flour. In the second one, beat the eggs. In the third one, mix the breadcrumbs and shredded parmesan cheese.

Dredge the chicken breasts on both sides in the flour, shaking off the excess. Dip them into the beaten eggs and then the breadcrumb mixture, pressing to coat.

Cooking the Chicken

In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Place the breaded chicken breasts in the pan and cook for about 3 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through.

Assembling the Chicken Parmesan

Preheat your oven to 375°F.

In a baking dish, pour in about 1/2 cup of marinara sauce to coat the bottom. Add the chicken breasts over the sauce. Top each chicken breast with more marinara sauce, then sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese on top.

Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes until the cheese is melted and the chicken is cooked through.

Serving the Chicken Parmesan

Garnish with fresh basil leaves and serve hot. You can enjoy it with a side dish of spaghetti or garlic bread. Chicken parmesan is a delicious, comforting dish that everyone will love.

Hope You Get to Enjoy Your Delicious Chicken Parmesan

That wraps up our guide on making mouth-watering chicken parmesan at home. We hope you get to savor your homemade dish and impress your guests with your newfound cooking skills. Remember to come back and read our other articles for more cooking tips and recipes that you can easily follow in your kitchen. Thanks for reading and happy cooking!