Description
Crispy breaded chicken breasts topped with savory marinara sauce and melted mozzarella cheese, baked to golden perfection. This classic Italian-American dish offers comforting flavors and a satisfying texture, ideal for a hearty family dinner.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup Italian-seasoned breadcrumbs
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Sauce and Toppings
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese, for topping
- Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for baking the assembled chicken parmesan.
- Pound Chicken: Use a meat mallet or rolling pin to pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness to ensure uniform cooking.
- Prepare Breading Mixture: In a shallow dish, combine Italian-seasoned breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, salt, and pepper for the coating.
- Coat Chicken: Dip each chicken breast into the beaten eggs, then dredge thoroughly in the breadcrumb mixture to cover evenly.
- Pan-fry Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and cook the breaded chicken for 3–4 minutes on each side until golden brown and crisp.
- Assemble in Baking Dish: Transfer the seared chicken breasts to a baking dish.
- Add Sauce and Cheese: Spoon marinara sauce generously over each chicken piece, then sprinkle with shredded mozzarella and additional Parmesan cheese.
- Bake: Place the dish in the oven and bake for 15–20 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from oven, garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired, and serve immediately.
Notes
- Serve over cooked pasta, zucchini noodles, or with garlic bread for a complete meal.
- Using panko breadcrumbs results in an extra crispy coating for the chicken.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated thoroughly before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Pan-Frying, Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
