Classic Chicken Parmesan Recipe: Your Ultimate Guide to a Comforting Italian Dinner
There are few dishes that evoke the same sense of warmth and comfort as a perfectly executed Classic Chicken Parmesan. This isn’t just a meal; it’s an experience – a hearty, satisfying culinary embrace that brings smiles to every face at the table. Imagine succulent, crispy breaded chicken, generously topped with rich homemade marinara sauce and a blanket of gooey, melted mozzarella cheese, all served over a bed of al dente pasta. It’s a timeless Italian-American classic, a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that promises to transform any ordinary evening into a special occasion.
This week, we decided to elevate our Sunday supper with this very dish. Even on a dreary, rainy day, the promise of a homemade Chicken Parmesan brightens the mood. It’s a recipe that often draws hungry family members to the kitchen, eager for a taste. My husband, for instance, counts Chicken Parmesan among his absolute favorite meals, and the sheer mention of it being on the menu is enough to spark excitement. Its irresistible combination of textures and flavors makes it a perennial winner, perfect for family dinners or entertaining guests.
The Secret to Unforgettable Flavor: Homemade Marinara
While convenience often dictates reaching for a jarred sauce, the true heart of an exceptional Chicken Parmesan lies in a simple, homemade marinara. Crafting your own sauce from scratch not only infuses the dish with unparalleled freshness and depth but also allows you to control the ingredients, tailoring the flavor profile to your preference. Our simple marinara recipe is incredibly easy to make, yet it delivers a robust, authentic taste that simply cannot be matched by its store-bought counterparts.
One of my favorite hacks for streamlining weeknight meals is to prepare a large batch of this marinara. Once cooked, I divide it into freezer-safe bags or containers and store it in the freezer. This not only makes future meals incredibly convenient and economical but also ensures a readily available supply of delicious sauce for everything from pasta dishes to pizzas. It’s a game-changer for busy households, saving precious time without compromising on flavor or quality.
Why This Classic Chicken Parmesan Will Be Your New Favorite
Beyond its incredible taste, this Classic Chicken Parmesan offers numerous advantages that make it a staple in any home cook’s repertoire. It’s a rustic and hearty meal, substantial enough to satisfy even the biggest appetites. The combination of tender chicken, crispy breading, flavorful sauce, and gooey cheese creates a textural symphony that’s incredibly comforting and deeply satisfying. This dish is designed to impress your guests, making it an ideal choice for dinner parties, holiday gatherings, or simply a lovely evening with loved ones.
One of its charms for entertaining is how easily it can be served family-style. You can artfully arrange the pasta and the golden-brown chicken cutlets in a large serving bowl, place it at the center of your table, and allow everyone to help themselves. Trust me, the enticing aroma and visual appeal will have everyone eager to dig in, perhaps even playfully vying for the first serving! It encourages interaction and a shared dining experience, creating lasting memories around the table.
Achieving the Perfect Crispy Chicken
The secret to truly sensational Chicken Parmesan lies in the crispy exterior of the chicken. Pounding the chicken breasts to an even thickness ensures they cook uniformly and tenderly. The breading process involves a simple yet effective dredging in seasoned bread crumbs, creating a beautiful golden crust when pan-fried. A brief stint in a hot pan to develop that initial crispness, followed by baking in the oven, allows the chicken to cook through while the mozzarella melts into a luscious, bubbly topping. This two-step cooking method guarantees both a tender interior and an irresistible crispy coating.
Serving Suggestions for a Complete Meal
To round out this magnificent meal, consider pairing your Classic Chicken Parmesan with a fresh, vibrant garden salad. A simple vinaigrette dressing will complement the richness of the chicken and marinara beautifully, adding a refreshing crunch to each bite. For an even more complete spread, a side of garlic bread or crusty Italian bread is perfect for soaking up any leftover sauce. And don’t forget a glass of your favorite red wine – a Chianti or Sangiovese would be an excellent match, enhancing the robust flavors of this Italian masterpiece. This truly creates the perfect #SundaySupper, or any weeknight meal, to cherish with your loved ones.
Classic Chicken Parmesan
Yield: 6 servings
Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Ingredients:
Marinara Sauce
- 1 green pepper, diced
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to your preferred spice level)
- 2 (28-ounce) cans crushed tomatoes (high-quality makes a difference!)
- 1 and 1/2 tablespoons granulated sugar (balances acidity)
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Chicken Parmesan
- 6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5-2 pounds total)
- 2 cups bread crumbs (Panko breadcrumbs offer extra crispiness)
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 teaspoon onion powder
- 2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 4 large eggs
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 pound dried spaghetti (or your favorite pasta shape)
- Olive oil for sautéing
Directions:
- Prepare the Marinara Sauce: In a large saucepan or Dutch oven, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onions, green pepper, minced garlic, and red pepper flakes. Sauté until the vegetables are tender and fragrant, about 3-5 minutes. Stir in the crushed tomatoes, granulated sugar, Italian seasoning, dried basil, kosher salt, and black pepper. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pan, and let the sauce simmer for about 1 hour, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. For a smoother sauce, use an immersion blender to blend the marinara until it reaches your desired consistency. If you prefer a rustic, chunky marinara, you can skip this blending step. Finally, stir in the 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese until well combined.
- Preheat Oven: While the marinara simmers, preheat your oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
- Prepare the Chicken Breading Station: Lay the chicken breasts between two sheets of plastic wrap and pound them out to about a 1/2-inch thickness using a meat mallet or rolling pin. This ensures even cooking. In a shallow bowl, combine the bread crumbs, 1 cup of grated Parmesan cheese, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder. Mix well. In a second shallow bowl, whisk the 4 eggs with a pinch of salt and pepper until smooth.
- Bread and Pan-Fry the Chicken: In a large skillet or two, add 3-4 tablespoons of olive oil and heat over medium-high heat until shimmering. Take each pounded chicken breast, dip it first into the egg mixture, allowing excess to drip off, then dredge it thoroughly in the seasoned bread crumb mixture, pressing gently to ensure a good coating on both sides. Place the breaded chicken in the hot pan. Cook for about 3 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and crispy. You may need to work in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan.
- Finish Chicken in the Oven: Once the chicken is golden, top each piece generously with shredded mozzarella cheese. If using multiple pans, arrange them in the oven. Transfer the pan(s) to the preheated oven and bake for 5-7 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature should reach 165°F or 74°C).
- Cook the Pasta: While the chicken finishes, cook your spaghetti (or preferred pasta) according to the package directions until al dente. Drain well.
- Serve: To serve, place a generous portion of cooked spaghetti onto plates. Top with a crispy, cheesy Parmesan chicken cutlet, and ladle a hearty amount of your homemade marinara sauce over the chicken and pasta. Finish with an extra sprinkling of grated Parmesan cheese, if desired. Enjoy immediately!
All images and text ©One Sweet Mess.
Tips for Chicken Parmesan Success:
- Quality Ingredients Matter: Using good quality canned crushed tomatoes for your marinara will significantly impact the final flavor of your sauce. Similarly, fresh chicken breasts make a difference.
- Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: When pan-frying the chicken, cook in batches if necessary. Overcrowding lowers the oil temperature and can lead to soggy chicken rather than crispy.
- Pound Evenly: Uniformly pounded chicken breasts ensure even cooking, preventing some parts from drying out while others are still undercooked.
- Season Every Layer: Don’t just season the breading; a little salt and pepper on the chicken itself before dredging can boost flavor. Taste your marinara and adjust seasonings as needed.
- Make Marinara Ahead: The marinara can be made days in advance and stored in the refrigerator, or frozen for longer periods. This saves a lot of time on the day you plan to make Chicken Parmesan.
- Cheese Choice: While mozzarella is traditional, a blend of mozzarella and provolone can add extra depth and flavor to your topping.
This Classic Chicken Parmesan recipe is more than just a meal; it’s an opportunity to create cherished memories around the dinner table. With its robust flavors, comforting textures, and satisfying appeal, it’s a dish that will undoubtedly become a beloved favorite in your home. So gather your ingredients, put on some Italian music, and prepare to embark on a culinary journey that will delight your senses and nourish your soul. Buon appetito!