Simple Chicken Parmesan

Chicken Parmesan, sometimes called Chicken Parmigiana, found commonly on Italian-American restaurant menus, actually has strong roots in the East Coast Italian community in the U.S. It's a dish influenced by both eggplant parmesan and cottoleta, blending breaded eggplant in tomato sauce and cheese with fried, breaded chicken or veal served alongside sauce. The result? A delightful combination of crispy, breaded chicken, luscious cheese, and zesty tomato sauce.

Preparing Chicken Parmesan involves starting with boneless, skinless chicken breasts, gently flattened for even cooking. These breasts are coated in fine breadcrumbs and pan-fried until golden before being placed in tomato sauce and topped with mozzarella, then baked to a comforting, bubbly finish.

Why the Flattening Process?

Modern chicken breasts are often large and cook unevenly, leading to the outer parts becoming overdone while the inside stays undercooked. Flattening the breasts slightly ensures they cook evenly. If this feels daunting, you can also cut the breasts in half horizontally or ask your butcher to prepare them as cutlets.

What Ingredients Are Used?

This dish is straightforward, needing minimal ingredients, especially if using store-bought sauce. Chicken breasts, breadcrumbs, tomato sauce, and mozzarella and parmesan cheeses are the main players. Using jarred sauce streamlines the process for a quick weeknight meal, although homemade sauce can be a great option if time permits.

Simplifying Chicken Parm

For a faster meal, consider picking up pre-seasoned breadcrumbs and a jar of pasta sauce from the store to cut down on prep time!

Serving Suggestions

Enjoy this easy Chicken Parmesan with garlic bread and a simple green salad or a refreshing citrus salad for a wholesome weekday dinner. Leftovers can be reheated and served on hoagie rolls with greens for another delicious meal.

Cooking Tips:

When flattening the chicken breasts, use a steady, gentle motion rather than forceful pounding. Aim to even out the meat's shape and make it slightly thinner, avoiding turning it into a pulp.
Taste your seasoned breadcrumbs before using them for coating. If they lack flavor, consider adding more salt, pepper, or Italian seasonings to enhance their taste. Keep in mind that the breadcrumbs should taste slightly salty and flavorful on their own, as their flavor will mellow once on the chicken.
Take your time when browning the breaded chicken in olive oil. Ensure the oil is at a moderate temperature to avoid burning the breading. Rushing this step might compromise the dish's taste.

4 chicken breasts without bones, approximately 1 1/2 pounds
1 large egg
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup seasoned breadcrumbs, preferably Italian-flavored
Olive oil
8 slices low-moisture mozzarella cheese
1 (24-ounce) jar pasta sauce
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
8 ounces spaghetti, or linguine

Steps to Make It

01. Collect the ingredients needed.

02. Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish and preheat the oven to 350 F.

03. Place the chicken breasts between sheets of plastic wrap and gently flatten them to around 1/2 inch thickness using a rolling pin or the flat side of a meat mallet.

04. Whisk together the egg and milk in a medium-sized bowl.

05. In another wide, shallow bowl, spread out the seasoned breadcrumbs.

06. Dip each flattened chicken breast into the egg and milk mixture, followed by coating them evenly with the seasoned breadcrumbs.

07. In a large skillet or sauté pan, heat 1 inch of olive oil over medium heat until it's hot enough (a test with a corner of a breaded chicken breast should sizzle briskly). Be cautious not to overheat the oil, as olive oil reaches its smoke point quite rapidly.

08. Brown the chicken in the hot oil on both sides until they turn golden brown, usually about 3 to 4 minutes per side.

09. Spread 1/3 of the pasta sauce at the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Arrange the chicken on top and cover it with 7 slices of mozzarella.

10. Pour the remaining sauce over the chicken and cheese. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese on top. Tear the remaining mozzarella slice into pieces and scatter them over the dish. Bake until it bubbles, typically around 25 to 30 minutes.

11. While the chicken is baking, cook the spaghetti or linguine in boiling salted water following the instructions on the package. Once cooked, drain it well.

12. Serve the chicken alongside the pasta, bread, and a tossed green salad.

How to Store

Store any remaining chicken parmesan in an airtight container in the refrigerator, where it can stay fresh for up to 5 days. To reheat, use an oven set at 350 F, a toaster oven, air fryer, or microwave until it's heated through.

Chicken Parmesan without gluten, eggs, or dairy

For a wheat-free Chicken Parmesan, opt for gluten-free breadcrumbs for coating the chicken and choose gluten-free pasta for serving.
To make an egg-free version, substitute eggs with 1 cup of applesauce to coat the chicken breasts before rolling them in breadcrumbs.
For a dairy-free option, blend plain unsweetened soy milk (or any preferred nondairy milk) with the egg and utilize vegan mozzarella cheese as the topping for the chicken.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
875	Calories
45g	Fat
50g	Carbs
65g	Protein

Simple Chicken Parmesan