classic chicken parmesan

Classic Chicken Parmesan

Sharing is caring!

After a long, stressful day, a comforting meal is what I yearn for most. Classic Chicken Parmesan is one of those dishes that I go back to time and time again and never disappoints. Warm pasta topped with crispy, juicy chicken and covered in a soothing tomato sauce, all ready in 30 minutes. You don’t want to miss this one!

This post is part of our Basic Cooking Skills series. Each week we will be doing a deep-dive into one basic cooking skill and a brand new recipe to accompany it to practice that newfound skill. Check back throughout the series for updates and new posts.


Please note this post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase using the links. Please see my disclosure for more details.

Comforting Italian Dishes

classic chicken parmesan

I have a soft spot in my heart when it comes to Italian food. 

From chicken marsala to italian sausage gnocchi, I can always depend on an Italian meal to provide me with warmth and comfort.

I love mixing up different kinds of protein in various homemade sauces, like a cheesy cream sauce made from a roux to the marinara sauce included below.

Pair any of these dishes with garlic bread and a glass of wine and it’s a perfect meal in my book!

Let’s jump right in and start cooking some classic chicken parmesan.

how to: make homemade marinara sauce

The secret to a tomato sauce packed with flavor is caramelized onions! Check out this post where I tested the best pan to caramelize onions.

caramelized onions

You can use any canned marinara sauce but there is NOTHING like the flavor and richness of making a homemade sauce!

For even more flavor, use homemade chicken broth instead of store-bought. So. Much. Flavor.

Begin by cooking the onions low and slow until nice and brown. You can add a dash of sugar to speed the process up a little bit.

tomato marinara sauce

Combine crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, chicken broth, oregano, and basil and simmer over medium-low heat until reduced and thickened, about 30-40 minutes.  

Serve immediately or store in the refrigerator for 4-5 days or freeze.

how to: prepare the chicken

The chicken gets coated in a savory breadcrumb mixture that is packed with flavor. 

Begin by pounding the chicken thin so it will cook through when pan-fried.

chicken parmesan

Next, dip each chicken breast in flour, then eggs, then the breadcrumb mixture. Coat the entire chicken breast each step of the way!

Plain breadcrumbs can be used to provide that desired, crisp texture when fried. Adding oregano, basil, garlic powder, and red pepper flakes to the breadcrumbs greatly enhances the final flavor of the chicken.

Heat canola oil over medium to medium-high heat and fry the chicken breasts on each side until golden brown. 

If thin enough, the chicken will be almost done, nearing 165 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Transfer to a plate lined with paper towels to absorb excess grease.

how to: Make classic chicken parmesan

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

Place chicken breasts in a greased baking dish. Cover with tomato sauce and top with mozzarella cheese.

Bake for 15 minutes or until the cheese is melted (or if your chicken is not fully cooked, cook until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees.)

Finish it off under the broiler for 5 minutes or until the cheese starts to brown.

Prepare pasta according to directions on the box. In Cooking Pasta we uncovered how if al dente pasta is desired, the pasta should be cooked a few minutes less than stated on the box. It’s up to you!

Serve the baked chicken parmesan over pasta and enjoy!

Ingredients Needed

Materials Needed

Classic Chicken Parmesan

Classic Chicken Parmesan is the ultimate comfort food that can be on your table in 30 minutes.
5 from 12 votes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian

Ingredients
  

  • 2-3 chicken breasts pounded thin
  • 1/2 cup flour
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
  • 1 tbsp oregano
  • 1 tbsp basil
  • 1/2 tbsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tbsp red pepper flakes
  • 3 tbsp canola oil
  • 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese

Homemade Marinara Sauce

  • 1 onion sliced
  • 28 oz crushed tomatoes
  • 12 oz tomato sauce
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 1 tbsp oregano
  • 1 tbsp basil

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
  • Use 3 shallow dishes or trays. In the first tray add the flour. In the next tray beat the eggs. In the third tray mix the breadcrumbs, oregano, basil, garlic powder, and red pepper flakes.
  • Coat each chicken breast in flour, then dip into the eggs, then coat in breadcrumbs, ensuring the entire chicken breast is covered.
  • Heat the canola oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Fry the chicken breasts on each side until golden brown and cooked through. Transfer to a greased baking dish.
  • Pour marinara sauce over the chicken and top with mozzarella cheese. Bake for 15 minutes until the cheese is melted. Finish under the broiler for 5 minutes or until the cheese has browned. Serve with your favorite pasta.

Homemade Marinara Sauce

  • In a large skillet, cook onion over medium-low heat for 30-40 minutes until caramelized.
  • Add crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, chicken broth, oregano, and basil to the pan. Increase the heat to medium and let it simmer until reduced, about 20-30 minutes. Set aside.
Keyword chicken, parmesan

Pin me!

classic chicken parm pin
classic chicken parm pin
classic chicken parm pin

I feel like I can never get enough Italian food and post about it all the time! What are some classic Italian dishes that you love making at home? Let’s bond over shared love of pasta galore!

Get your $1 worksheets today!

Related Posts

64 thoughts on “Classic Chicken Parmesan”

  1. This came at the right time because I was thinking about making chicken parmesan again. I’ve only made it once and while it came out good, I’m always open to try different recipes. Thank you so much for sharing this!

  2. 5 stars
    It’s a good recipe….I’m italian and…..well, let’s just say that I’ve never eat something like this (we usually eat pasta as first meal and then cicken as second meal). Anyway, the recipe sounds delicious!!!!. I’ll give it a try

    1. It’s so funny how meals become Americanized and take on a life of their own! I love trying out authentic restaurants here but would love to experience it in Italy 🙂

  3. 5 stars
    That looks lush, I’ll have to share this recipe with my partner. I wish I was more motivated to cook, but I can barely be bothered to cook something I just have to throw into the oven at the moment 🙁

    1. Lately it’s been hard for me in the evenings and to feel the energy to cook as well, and my partner takes the reigns. I find it’s easiest for me on weekends so I can start a meal earlier in the day

  4. 5 stars
    We loooooooove pasta – I even made Spaghetti Bolognaise last night – so this is going on my list of new dishes to try this Autumn. It looks delicious, I can’t believe we haven’t tried it before, thank you, Kalin!

  5. 5 stars
    Ah this looks mouthwateringly good. Definitely good enough to serve up in a restaurant! I’m looking at learning how to cook more and I’d love to learn how to make something like this!

  6. Pingback: Sparkling Pink Raspberry Punch - with frozen hearts - Abundance of Flavor

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating