Ultimate Crispy Chicken Parmesan
A delightful fusion of crispy chicken, rich marinara sauce, and gooey mozzarella cheese, this Ultimate Crispy Chicken Parmesan is a comfort food triumph that’s easy to whip up.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Gluten-Free Option Available
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 6 oz each)
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
- 1 tablespoon water
- 1 1/2 cups Panko breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (for breading)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 cup olive oil (for pan-frying)
- 2 cups quality marinara sauce
- 8 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced or shredded
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (for topping)
- Fresh basil, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken: Begin by placing each chicken breast between two sheets of plastic wrap. Use a meat mallet to pound them down to an even 1/2-inch thickness.
- Set up the dredging station: Arrange three shallow dishes with flour, the whisked eggs and water, and a blend of Panko, Parmesan, garlic powder, oregano, salt, and pepper.
- Coat the chicken: Dredge each cutlet in flour, dip into the egg mixture, then press into the Panko mixture to coat thoroughly.
- Achieve the crisp crust: Heat olive oil in a skillet and fry two cutlets at a time for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown. Transfer to a wire rack.
- Assemble and bake: Preheat your oven to 400°F. Spread marinara sauce in a baking dish, layer with chicken, top with more marinara, and add mozzarella and Parmesan.
- Bake until bubbly: Bake for 10-12 minutes until cheese is melted and golden. Optional: broil for 1-2 minutes for extra browning.
- Rest and serve: Allow to rest for 5 minutes, garnish with basil, and serve hot over pasta or alongside a salad.
Notes
To maintain crispiness, store leftovers in an airtight container and reheat in the oven.