Chicken Parmesan

↓ Jump to Recipe

Crispy chicken parmesan with panko bread crumbs topped with zesty marinara sauce and melted mozzarella cheese. A satisfying Italian home-cooked dinner that everyone’s going to love!

Plate of chicken parmesan with marinara sauce and melted mozzarella cheese.
Table of Contents
  1. Bread crumb selection
  2. Prepare the chicken
  3. Coat the chicken
  4. How to select oil for pan-frying
  5. How to pan-fry breaded chicken
  6. Bake the chicken and toppings
  7. Serving suggestions
  8. Frequently asked questions
  9. Chicken Parmesan Recipe

An Italian feast wouldn’t be complete without a chicken parmesan, aka chicken parmigiana, appearing on the dinner table. What’s not to love about crispy chicken piping hot with tomato sauce and cheese? This method delivers evenly cooked pieces with just the proper ratio of crusty breading.

Pan-frying is the most optimal cooking method to achieve the sought-out golden color and crunchy crust. The chicken sizzles in hot, shallow oil, then flip to complete the fusion process. The layers of flour, eggs, and bread securely stick to the surface so that every bite is delicious.

Ingredients needed to make this delicious chicken parmesan recipe.

The type of bread crumb chosen for making the chicken parmesan recipe impacts the texture of the crust. Finely ground bread crumbs that are traditionally used cling well to the surface of the meat. However, the problem is they tend to provide minimal crackling texture and quickly get soggy when combined with the sauce.

For a better taste, panko bread crumbs are my top choice. It’s a Japanese-style crumb made from crustless white bread. What makes it unique is the large-sized crumbs, oblong shape, and porous structure. When used as a coating, the shape prevents packing, making the layer more light and crispy. If you don’t have panko available, coarsely ground homemade bread crumbs work well too.

Prepare the chicken

A flattened piece of boneless skinless chicken breast inside a plastic bag.

It’s critical to have the chicken breast equal in thickness for even cooking. I recommend about a ½-inch thick. You can use a meat tenderizer or rolling pin to help flatten. If the chicken is too thin, it will cook quickly and dry out before the coating is done crisping.

The opposite happens if too thick. The coating overcooks while the chicken will still be raw inside. As a convenience, some markets sell thinly sliced chicken breasts that are pre-cut and work well for pan-frying. If using substantial pieces over 10 ounces, purchase two, then cut them in half lengthwise to create chicken cutlets and flatten them.

Coat the chicken

Breading station with three bowls and pieces of chicken breast being coating in breadcrumbs.

I use the standard breading procedure to help the bread crumbs adhere to the surface of the chicken. Season the chicken with salt and pepper before coating. If you enjoy extra allium flavor, sprinkle on garlic powder as well.

Set up a breading station with three shallow bowls containing the following ingredients; flour, eggs combined with olive oil and panko mixed with parmesan cheese. Start by dipping the pieces into the flour, then the egg mixture, and finally, the breadcrumb mixture.

How to select oil for pan-frying

The key to ensuring juicy chicken with golden breading is oil selection and using enough for proper frying. You want to use a high smoke point oil like vegetable or canola so the oil doesn’t break down and cause off-flavors in the chicken.

Add enough oil to the pan to reach ⅓-to-halfway up the chicken. No more than that, or you’ll be in deep-fry territory. This height ensures the oil surrounds the submerged food, and the browning will be consistent.

How to pan-fry breaded chicken

A piece of chicken with crispy surface frying in a cast iron skillet.

To fry, use a large 12-inch nonstick pan, stainless steel, or cast iron skillet. It’s best to cook in batches, two pieces at a time. If you crowd the pan, the excess moisture will cause steam and result in uneven cooking. After frying the first two pieces, add fresh oil for the next batch; otherwise, any leftover breading particles will burn and transfer those flavors to the meat.

The process takes about 2 to 3 minutes per side, about 15 minutes of total cook time for all pieces. Look for a golden brown, crispy crust, and the chicken to reach around 160ºF (71ºC).

Bake the chicken and toppings

Four pan-fried pieces of chicken on a baking sheet topped with marinara sauce and grated mozzarella cheese.

Chicken parm is not complete without delicious toppings! Transfer the fried pieces to a sheet pan or baking dish. Add a generous layer of marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese on top. Bake at 450ºF (232ºC) until the cheese has melted and the sauce is warm, about 5 minutes.

Garnish with chopped parsley or fresh basil right before serving. My family loves the crisp and juicy pieces with gooey cheese!

Serving suggestions

I also serve this meal with spaghetti or penne pasta, but spiralized zucchini noodles make an excellent low-carb option. Here are some other side dishes for a complete Italian feast!

Chicken parmesan with melted cheese in a baking dish.

Frequently asked questions

Can you bake the chicken?

Yes! Baking is your best bet if you’re not a fan of frying with oil. The trick to crispy baked chicken parmesan is to use a high temperature of 450ºF (232ºC). Just note that using panko will still be crunchy but not as golden in color as finely ground bread crumbs.

How to make leftover chicken parmesan crispy?

Place the chicken on a foiled-lined baking sheet, then broil on the lowest oven rack. Once the pieces are hot, move the tray to the center rack to crisp, keeping a close eye to not burn the crust. Check every minute. The broiler is very hot!

How do you keep breading from falling off chicken parmesan?

Make sure to dry the chicken before breading. Excess moisture will create steam beneath the layers, causing the crust to separate. After breading, try refrigerating the pieces for 30 minutes. This will give the starches in the flour time to hydrate, creating a tacky glue-like texture to bind to the other layers.

Chicken parmesan garnished with chopped parsley and served with spaghetti on a white plate.

The importance of drying the chicken before breading

Removing any excess surface moisture from the chicken will ensure the breading sticks to the surface. The flour coating helps to further wick up any liquid. Too much moisture causes steam to form when frying. This will cause the coating to separate from the bread crumb and parmesan-crusted chicken.

Pin this recipe to save for later

Pin This

Chicken Parmesan

Delicious chicken parmesan with crispy chicken, tangy tomato sauce, and creamy melted cheese. It's easy to make and can be enjoyed as a weeknight dinner or served at a dinner party.
4.97 from 32 votes
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Total Time35 minutes
Servings 4 servings
Course Entree
Cuisine Italian

Ingredients 
 

  • 4 pieces boneless skinless chicken breast, about 2 pounds
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt, for seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper, for seasoning
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • ¾ cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 ¼ cups panko bread crumbs
  • ¼ cup parmesan cheese, freshly grated
  • 1 cup vegetable oil, divided
  • 1 cup marinara sauce, jarred or homemade
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella
  • 2 teaspoons chopped parsley, or basil

Instructions 

  • Preheat the Oven – Set the oven rack to the middle position. Preheat to 450ºF (232ºC).
  • Prepare the Chicken – Thoroughly dry chicken breasts with a paper towel. Place one of the pieces in between two plastic sheets or in a large plastic bag and flatten to an even ½-inch thickness. Repeat with remaining pieces. Generously season both sides of the chicken breast with salt and pepper.
  • Setup a Breading Station – Put the flour into a separate shallow bowl. Whisk together eggs and olive oil in a shallow medium bowl. Combine panko and parmesan cheese in a shallow bowl.
  • The Breading Procedure – Dip chicken in flour, shaking off any excess coating. Next, dip in egg wash, making sure to coat completely and drain any excess. Lastly, dip in the breadcrumbs lightly, pressing to coat evenly. Repeat the process with the remaining pieces.
  • Fry the Chicken – Heat ½ cup of vegetable oil in a 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is shimmering, carefully place two pieces of chicken in the pan. Fry until the first side is golden brown and crispy, 2 to 3 minutes.
    Turn heat down to medium and flip the chicken. Cook until golden brown and an internal temperature of 160ºF (71ºC), about 3 minutes. Transfer the chicken to a paper towel-lined plate to briefly drain the excess oil, and then place on a wire cooling rack set on top of a sheet pan.
  • Use Fresh Oil – Discard the excess oil and wipe the pan clean. Add in ½ cup of fresh vegetable oil, and repeat the same cooking procedure with the 2 remaining pieces.
  • Bake the Chicken – Place fried chicken in a baking dish or foil-lined sheet pan. Top each piece with ¼ cup of marinara sauce, and top with mozzarella cheese. Bake until the cheese is melted and the sauce is warm, about 3 to 5 minutes.
  • To Serve – Right before serving, garnish with freshly chopped parsley.

Recipe Video

Notes

  • Storing: Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
  • Reheating: Reheat individual pieces in the microwave on high power in 30-second intervals until warmed through. Alternatively, place on a foil-lined sheet pan and bake at 375 degrees until lightly crispy and warmed through, about 15 to 20 minutes. 
  • Breadcrumbs: Traditional fine Italian breadcrumbs can be used but won’t be as crunchy. 
  • Broiling the Cheese: Broil chicken in the center of the oven until cheese is melted and lightly brown. Check every minute, as it will cook quickly. 
  • Heartier Topping: Add ½ cup marinara sauce and evenly spread 1 cup of cheese on the chicken pieces. 
  • Make it Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free flour and breadcrumbs. 
Nutrition Facts
Chicken Parmesan
Amount per Serving
Calories
189
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
9
g
14
%
Saturated Fat
 
3
g
15
%
Cholesterol
 
17
mg
6
%
Sodium
 
642
mg
27
%
Potassium
 
250
mg
7
%
Carbohydrates
 
17
g
6
%
Fiber
 
1
g
4
%
Sugar
 
3
g
3
%
Protein
 
9
g
18
%
Vitamin A
 
415
IU
8
%
Vitamin C
 
4.3
mg
5
%
Calcium
 
182
mg
18
%
Iron
 
1.7
mg
9
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Tried this recipe?

Tag me on Instagram. I'd love to see how it turns out!

Tag @jessica_gavin

Filed under:

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

Jessica Gavin

I'm a culinary school graduate, cookbook author, and a mom who loves croissants! My passion is creating recipes and sharing the science behind cooking to help you gain confidence in the kitchen.

Quick & Easy Meals in Under 30 Minutes!
Get 25 simple meals your whole family will love.
Jessica Gavin standing in the kitchen

You May Also Like

Reader Interactions

14 Comments Leave a comment or review

  1. Judy Caywood says

    Jessica, I love all your tips, from what to serve with it to drain the chicken off ! Caesar salad sounded perfect to me. Thanks for another great recipe in the golden brown chicken is such a beautiful picture Xo Judy

  2. Dave says

    Jessica,
    This by far the best chicken Parmesan I’ve ever made! I bake gluten-free so to minimize gluten, I used tapioca starch instead of flour as the trapped breading.

    Reading your tip answered my question as to why panko or any post-dredge breading separates from the meat. Worked perfectly. I also used freshly grated mozzarella and organic chicken. DELICIOUS!!

    Looking forward to more great recipes from you… Cheers…… Dave

  3. Krystal says

    Amaaaaazing!
    I made this for my husband and we were just-the-right-amount-full! I did do things a bit differently though I used quinoa instead of the pasta and added onion+bell pepper+egg all fried together with a tinge of butter because we had lots of leftover veggies haha! Love ur recipes and will continue to get inspired from u!

  4. Nancy says

    I love using the Progresso Italian Panko crumbs for this recipe. I spend half the year in Wales however and I can only get the plain Panko. Is there any way to Italanize the plain Panko without resorting to the fresh bread crumb method.

    • Jessica Gavin says

      Yes! Use 1 cup panko, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, ⅛ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon onion powder and ½ teaspoon dried Italian seasoning. Adjust to your taste.

  5. Melodie says

    I made your chicken Parmesan and it is wonderful! Crispy crust moist inside! Added fresh basil and beans from the garden. My son enjoyed as well.

  6. Katrina says

    What about the noodles, how would I do those? Love how it showed on the picture, please tell me what to put on them

Leave A Reply

Recipe Rating