Chicken Parmesan with Crispy Breading (Printable)

Golden breaded chicken with marinara, mozzarella, and Parmesan over pasta

# What You’ll Need:

→ Chicken

01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
02 - Salt and black pepper, to taste

→ Breading

03 - 1 cup all-purpose flour
04 - 2 large eggs
05 - 2 tablespoons milk
06 - 1 1/2 cups Italian-style breadcrumbs
07 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

→ Tomato Sauce

08 - 2 cups marinara sauce
09 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
10 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
11 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
12 - 1 teaspoon dried basil

→ Cheese Topping

13 - 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
14 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

→ Pasta

15 - 12 oz spaghetti or linguine

→ Garnish

16 - Fresh basil leaves
17 - Extra grated Parmesan cheese

# How to Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly oil a baking dish.
02 - Place chicken breasts between two sheets of plastic wrap and pound to 1/2-inch thickness. Season both sides with salt and pepper.
03 - Prepare three bowls: one with flour, one with beaten eggs and milk, and one with breadcrumbs mixed with 1/2 cup grated Parmesan.
04 - Dredge each chicken breast in flour, dip in egg wash, then coat evenly in breadcrumb mixture. Press gently to adhere.
05 - In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Fry breaded chicken for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate.
06 - In a saucepan, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat. Sauté garlic for 1 minute, add marinara sauce, oregano, and basil. Simmer for 5 minutes.
07 - Spread 1/2 cup tomato sauce over the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Arrange chicken cutlets in a single layer. Top each cutlet with remaining sauce, mozzarella, and extra Parmesan.
08 - Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until cheese is bubbly and chicken is cooked through (internal temperature 165°F).
09 - Meanwhile, cook pasta in salted boiling water according to package instructions. Drain and keep warm.
10 - Serve the Chicken Parmesan over pasta, garnished with fresh basil and extra Parmesan if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The way the crispy crust holds up against that tangy tomato sauce is absolute magic, and you get that perfect cheese pull in every bite
  • It sounds fancy enough for company but comes together on a weeknight without stressing you out
02 -
  • Letting the breaded chicken rest on a wire rack for 10 minutes before baking keeps that crust from getting soggy
  • The chicken is done when it reaches 165°F internally, but trust your instincts when the cheese bubbles and turns golden
03 -
  • Pat your chicken completely dry before seasoning or the breading will slide right off
  • Use one hand for dry ingredients and one for wet to keep your fingers from becoming a breaded mess
Go Back