Chicken Parmesan Recipe

Chicken breasts: Boneless and skinless, these are the main protein component of the dish.

Italian seasoned breadcrumbs: These breadcrumbs are pre-seasoned with Italian herbs and spices, adding flavor to the chicken coating.

Parmesan cheese: Grated and mixed with the breadcrumbs to create a flavorful crust.

Marinara sauce: A tomato-based sauce that adds richness and moisture to the dish.

Mozzarella cheese: Shredded and melted on top of the chicken for a gooey, cheesy finish.

Olive oil: Used for frying the chicken breasts to a golden brown.

Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the dish.

Black pepper: Adds a touch of heat and depth to the seasoning.

When coating the chicken breasts in the breadcrumb mixture, ensure you press the crumbs firmly onto the meat. This helps create a thicker, more even crust that will stay intact during cooking. For an extra crispy texture, let the coated chicken rest for a few minutes before frying, allowing the breadcrumbs to adhere better.

• boneless, skinless chicken breasts - Substitute with boneless, skinless turkey breasts: Turkey breasts have a similar texture and flavor profile, making them a suitable alternative.

• italian seasoned breadcrumbs - Substitute with panko breadcrumbs mixed with italian seasoning: Panko breadcrumbs provide a similar crunch, and adding Italian seasoning will mimic the flavor.

• grated parmesan cheese - Substitute with grated pecorino romano: Pecorino Romano has a similar salty and tangy flavor, making it a good substitute.

• marinara sauce - Substitute with tomato basil sauce: Tomato basil sauce offers a similar tomato base with added basil for a slightly different but complementary flavor.

• shredded mozzarella cheese - Substitute with shredded provolone cheese: Provolone melts similarly to mozzarella and has a mild flavor that works well in this dish.

• olive oil - Substitute with canola oil: Canola oil has a neutral flavor and a similar smoke point, making it a suitable alternative for cooking.

• salt - Substitute with kosher salt: Kosher salt has a similar flavor but is less dense, so you may need to adjust the quantity.

• black pepper - Substitute with white pepper: White pepper provides a similar heat and flavor but with a slightly different color, which won't affect the dish's appearance significantly.

• Allow the chicken parmesan to cool completely before storing. This prevents condensation from forming, which can make the dish soggy.

• For storing in the refrigerator:

  • Transfer the chicken parmesan to an airtight container.
  • Place a piece of parchment paper between layers if stacking multiple pieces to prevent sticking.
  • Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.

• For freezing:

  • Wrap each piece of chicken parmesan individually in plastic wrap or aluminum foil.
  • Place the wrapped pieces in a freezer-safe zip-top bag or airtight container.
  • Label the container with the date to keep track of freshness.
  • Freeze for up to 2-3 months.

• Reheating from the refrigerator:

  • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  • Place the chicken parmesan in an oven-safe dish.
  • Cover with aluminum foil to prevent the cheese from burning.
  • Heat for about 15-20 minutes or until warmed through.

• Reheating from frozen:

  • Thaw the chicken parmesan in the refrigerator overnight.
  • Follow the same reheating instructions as for refrigerated chicken parmesan.
  • Alternatively, you can reheat directly from frozen by baking at 350°F (175°C) for 25-30 minutes, covered with foil, until heated through.

• For a crispy texture:

  • Remove the foil during the last 5 minutes of reheating to allow the mozzarella cheese to become bubbly and slightly golden.

• Microwave option (not recommended for best texture):

  • Place a piece of chicken parmesan on a microwave-safe plate.
  • Cover with a microwave-safe lid or another plate to retain moisture.
  • Heat on medium power for 2-3 minutes, checking halfway through to ensure even heating.

• Garnish with fresh basil or a sprinkle of additional parmesan cheese before serving to refresh the flavors.

• Oven Method:

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Place the leftover chicken parmesan in an oven-safe dish.
  3. Cover the dish with aluminum foil to keep the chicken moist.
  4. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the chicken is heated through and the cheese is bubbly.
  5. Remove the foil for the last 5 minutes if you want the cheese to get a bit crispy.

• Microwave Method:

  1. Place the chicken parmesan on a microwave-safe plate.
  2. Cover with a microwave-safe lid or another plate to prevent splatters.
  3. Microwave on medium power for 2-3 minutes.
  4. Check the chicken and stir the marinara sauce if needed.
  5. Continue microwaving in 30-second intervals until heated through.

• Stovetop Method:

  1. Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat.
  2. Add a small amount of olive oil to the skillet.
  3. Place the chicken parmesan in the skillet and cover with a lid.
  4. Cook for 5-7 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the chicken is heated through and the cheese is melted.

• Air Fryer Method:

  1. Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Place the chicken parmesan in the air fryer basket.
  3. Cook for 5-7 minutes, checking halfway through to ensure it doesn't overcook.
  4. The chicken should be heated through and the cheese should be melted and slightly crispy.

• Oven: Used to bake the chicken parmesan to ensure it is cooked through and the cheese is melted and bubbly.

• Frying pan: Utilized to cook the chicken breasts until they are golden brown on both sides.

• Shallow dish: Employed to combine the breadcrumbs and grated parmesan cheese for coating the chicken.

• Baking dish: Needed to place the chicken breasts in before pouring marinara sauce and topping with mozzarella cheese.

• Tongs: Handy for flipping the chicken breasts while cooking them in the frying pan.

• Measuring cups: Used to measure out the breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, marinara sauce, and shredded mozzarella cheese.

• Measuring spoons: Necessary for measuring the olive oil.

• Spatula: Useful for transferring the chicken breasts from the frying pan to the baking dish.

• Knife: Needed for any optional garnishing, such as chopping fresh basil.

• Cutting board: Provides a surface for seasoning the chicken breasts and any optional garnishing preparations.

• Paper towels: Useful for patting the chicken breasts dry before seasoning them.

• Oven mitts: Essential for safely handling the hot baking dish when removing it from the oven.

Prepare ingredients in advance: Measure and set out all ingredients before starting to cook. This will streamline the process and reduce prep time.

Use pre-made marinara sauce: Opt for a high-quality, store-bought marinara sauce to save time on making it from scratch.

Thin chicken breasts: Pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness for quicker and more uniform cooking.

Preheat the oven early: Turn on the oven before you start prepping to ensure it’s ready when you need it.

Use a food processor: Quickly blend breadcrumbs and parmesan cheese together using a food processor.