The Best Chicken Parmesan with a deliciously crispy coating, smothered in a rich homemade tomato sauce and melted mozzarella cheese!
Oven baked Chicken Parmesan is simple to make and worth every minute! If you love a crispy crumb coating vs a soggy crumb, look no further! The best you will ever make!
THE BEST CHICKEN PARMESAN
Chicken Parmesan (also called Chicken Parmigiana) is one of the most loved, most popular AND most ordered chicken recipes in the world. BUT often times, chicken comes out too dry, or doesn’t have enough flavour or seasoning. The sauce is bland, or cheddar cheese is used instead of mozzarella, etc.
This chicken parmesan has been said to be the best by many of our readers over the years.
HOW TO MAKE HOMEMADE CHICKEN PARMESAN
Compared to all of the chicken recipes on this blog, this one may have more steps BUT they are all worth it:
- Breading
- Frying
- Sauce-ing
- Cheese-ing
- Baking
Each step guarantees to give you the best possible outcome and one chicken dinner you will never foregt.
THE CRISPY COATING
For the best flavour combination, the breading is made up of a combination of four ingredients!
- Panko — Â a Japanese breadcrumb found in any supermarket or grocery store, usually in Asian isles. Dryer than regular breadcrumbs, they absorb less oil producing a crispy and crunchier crumb!
- Breadcrumbs — Italian seasoned, golden or whatever you have on hand.
- Parmesan cheese (or Provolone)
- Garlic (or onion) powder.
USE OUR HOMEMADE SAUCE OR YOUR FAVOURITE MARINARA!
For the purpose of giving you the ultimate flavour experience, I have provided a homemade tomato sauce. You are more than welcome to use store bought pasta sauce, marinara sauce or tomato sauce (U.S readers).
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CHICKEN PARMESAN AND CHICKEN PARMIGIANA
There are some variations to Chicken Parmesan depending on the type of restaurant you’re ordering from, including layering toppings with ham or bacon, or changing mozzarella to cheddar (not our favourite), but they are all essentially the same.
Chicken Parmigiana (Pollo alla parmigiana in Italian) is also known in Australia as a Parm, Parma, or Parmi.
Before chicken parmesan was eggplant parmesan, where eggplant slices are breaded and fried and layered with sauce and parmesan cheese.
When running out of options on what to feed your family…look no further than these crispy succulent chicken breasts with so much melty cheesy!
WHAT TO SERVE WITH CHICKEN PARMESAN
- Pasta — thin spaghetti, angel hair pasta, fettuccini.
- Steamed vegetables.
- Mashed potatoes.
- Zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice for a lighter option.
- Garlic Mushrooms
Looking for a low carb version? Try this Easy Mozzarella Chicken Recipe!
CRISPY CHICKEN PARMESAN NOW ON VIDEO!
Crispy Chicken Parmesan
Ingredients
For The Chicken:
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 2 tablespoons fresh chopped parsley
- Salt and pepper to season
- 3 large chicken breasts halved horizontally to make 6 fillets
- 1 cup Panko breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (Italian or golden)
- 1/2 cup fresh grated parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon garlic or onion powder
- 1/2 cup olive oil for frying
For The Sauce:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 large onion chopped
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 14 ounces (400 g) tomato puree (Passata)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs
- 1 teaspoon sugar (optional)
For The Topping:
- 8 ounces (250 g) mozzarella cheese sliced or shredded
- 1/3 cup fresh shredded parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh chopped basil or parsley
Instructions
For The Chicken:
- Whisk together eggs, garlic, parsley, salt and pepper in a shallow dish. Add chicken into the egg, rotating to evenly coat each fillet in the mixture. Cover with plastic wrap and allow to marinate for at least 15 minutes (or overnight night if time allows for a deeper flavour).
- When chicken is ready for cooking, mix bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese and garlic powder together in a separate shallow bowl. Dip chicken into the breadcrumb mixture to evenly coat.
- Preheat oven 430°F | 220°C. Lightly grease an oven tray (or baking dish) with non stick cooking oil spray; set aside.
- Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until hot and shimmering. Fry chicken until golden and crispy, (about 4-5 minutes each side).
- Place chicken on prepared baking tray / dish and top each breast with about 1/3 cup of sauce (sauce recipe below). Top each chicken breast with 2-3 slices of mozzarella cheese and about 2 tablespoons parmesan cheese. Sprinkle with basil or parsley.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until cheese is bubbling and melted, and the chicken is completely cooked through.
For The Sauce:
- Heat oil in a medium-sized pot. Fry onion until transparent (about 3 minutes), then add the garlic until fragrant (about 30 seconds).
- Add the tomato puree, salt and pepper to taste, Italian herbs and sugar (If using). Cover with lid to simmer for about 8 minutes, or until sauce has thickened slightly. Taste test and adjust salt and pepper, if needed.
Alex says
Hi!
I’m making this tonight! Is it recommended to pre-make the sauce or make it when about to use? I have a baby so anything I can do during nap time is a win. Thank you!
Steve says
Great recipe! Thank you for posting. I made a few minor alterations due to using what I had on hand but it came out delicious.
Del says
AMAZING recipe! It’s fast become a top requested recipe in our house – follow the recipe and instructions to the letter and you will have the most delicious HOMEMADE chicken parm. No more premade cutlets! No more jar sauce! WOO HOO!
Karina says
Hi Del, it’s great to hear that the recipe has become a top-requested favourite in your house! It’s fantastic that you’ve embraced making delicious homemade chicken parm without premade cutlets or jar sauce. Thank you for your kind words, and here’s to many more delightful homemade meals in your kitchen! Happy cooking!
Ginny says
This was amazing!! I didn’t have everything I needed so I made a few substitutions but I think the fresh garlic is what takes this recipe above all others. I had to use crushed unseasoned croutons for breadcrumbs, added italian seasonings, garlic powder, and onion powder to it. I also used chicken tenderloins because my family loves the smaller serving size. I used a spicy marinara instead of the regular because I’m always trying to empty the jars in my refrigerator! Thank you for a fantastic recipe I will use again and again. Chicken parm, homemade tomato focaccia and green beans, accompanied by a nice Pinot Noir, simple meal but also simply delicious!
Karina says
Hi Ginny, I’m glad to hear that you found the recipe amazing and made it your own with creative substitutions! The addition of fresh garlic does indeed bring a very special touch to any savoury dish! Thank you for sharing your experience.
Robyn says
Been cooking for over 25 years and could never get that crisp on my parm, until NOW! Delicious and easy. Thanks so much!
Lisa Porter says
Great recipe- The chicken was crispy and fork tender and the flavors meshed together nicely. All great marks from the family. It did take me longer to complete this recipe but it was well worth the time and effort.
Rich says
This is the one follow step by step and sit back and enjoy.
My only regret is this recipe about to be so much a hit here in my house it’s gonna be demanded weekly.
The vultures a.k.a the children are allredy asking for more. This was a perfect recipe.
TNV says
Yum!! But, marinating chicken does nothing. Chicken doesn’t absorb oils and water. It’s already mostly water. Rubbing it does better. But marinating chicken is a waste of time and ingredients. And before anyone comes at me, research it. I don’t post things without researching.
Linda DiBiaso says
Unbelievable, Fabulous chicken! Can I freeze the chicken after I marinate it, or in the marinade, to enjoy later?
Kara says
I was making this and didn’t think adding a whole onion to the sauce would turn out very well, but it turned out absolutely delicious! The chicken came out perfectly cooked and overall the best chicken parmesan I’ve ever had. Thank you so much for sharing!