Italians know how to make good food, and they aren't ones to play around when it comes to recipes. Chicken Parmesan is a classic, but don't be deterred from making it at home. This recipe is incredibly simple to make, and your family will love you for cooking it! Here is how to make Chicken Parmesan in 10 easy steps.
Ingredients
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
salt
pepper
2 cups all-purpose flour
4 large eggs, beaten with 2 tablespoons water
2 cups breadcrumbs
1 cup olive oil
1 jar pasta sauce
1 pound thinly sliced or grated mozzarella
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
Basil leaves (optional)
Directions
- Preheat your oven to 400 degrees.
- Season the chicken breasts on both sides, adding salt and pepper to taste.
- Bread the chicken breasts in flour, shaking off the excess. Dip the chicken in the egg, allowing the extra to drip off, then press both sides of the chicken breasts into the breadcrumbs.
- Add the olive oil to the pan and heat on high until the oil is almost smoking.
- Add the chicken breasts to the oil and allow them to brown on both sides. This step should take around two minutes.
- Transfer the chicken breasts to a baking sheet and pour a couple of tablespoons of pasta sauce on each one.
- Bake the chicken in the oven for 10–15 minutes, depending on the thickness of the breasts.
- Remove the chicken breasts from the oven and top the pasta sauce with mozzarella, salt and pepper, and a tablespoon of parmesan cheese.
- Put the chicken back in the oven for another 10 minutes to allow the cheese to melt and the chicken to complete cooking.
- Remove the chicken from the oven and garnish with more cheese or basil.
Tips and Tricks
- To make your Chicken Parmesan even more delicious, consider stuffing the chicken breasts. With a sharp knife, carefully slice horizontally into the edge of the breast, but do not cut the breast completely in half. Stuff with cheese or whatever you wish! Adding more cheese is never a bad thing.
- For an extra boost, consider making your own sauce. While time-consuming, it can add an amazing flavor to the recipe.
- Consider serving spaghetti on the side. Boil pasta and use the remaining pasta sauce. Add a salad for a complete dinner.
- If you're looking for a friendly vegan option, use eggplant instead of chicken. Eggplant is the traditional ingredient used in Melanzane ala Parmigiana. Substitute vegan-friendly cheese and opt out of using eggs. Instead, use olive oil to make the breadcrumbs stick.
- Season the breadcrumbs to add flavor—they are the first thing people will taste. You can add whatever you want to the breadcrumbs. Season them with salt, pepper, grated parmesan, and other Italian seasonings.
- Never bake the cheese for longer than 10 minutes. Doing so will burn the cheese and compromise the flavor of the dish.