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The Best Chicken Parmesan has everything you crave—crispy golden coating, rich homemade tomato sauce, and perfectly melted mozzarella cheese. It’s the kind of dish that feels like a treat every time. For an extra cozy touch, serve it with a warm bowl of Zuppa Toscana on the side. The creamy soup is the perfect complement to the bold, cheesy flavors and adds a hearty, comforting finish to your meal.
What Makes This Chicken Parmesan The Best?
Chicken Parmesan—whether you call it Chicken Parmigiana, Chicken Parmi, or even the regrettable Chicken Parma—is a global favorite. But making it at home often leads to common disappointments: dry, flavorless chicken, bland tomato sauce, or worse, soggy coating drowned in cheddar instead of mozzarella.
With our Chicken Parmesan, all those worries are a thing of the past! We’ve mastered the art of combining juicy chicken and a crisp, golden parmesan crust that stays crunchy, even when smothered in rich homemade tomato sauce. Inspired by the same care and flavor perfection in dishes like our Creamy Dijon Chicken, this Chicken Parmesan is all about delivering restaurant-quality results at home—every single time!
The Ultimate Chicken Parmesan: Key Ingredients
The secret to the perfect Chicken Parmesan lies in its ingredients. Fresh garlic adds bold, savory depth, parmesan creates a crispy, golden crust, and mozzarella melts into gooey perfection. Simple staples, extraordinary flavor!
- Fresh Parmesan Cheese: Always opt for freshly grated parmesan rather than pre-shredded varieties. Fresh parmesan melts better, has a stronger flavor, and creates a crispy golden coating that’s essential for this recipe.
- Breadcrumbs: Use a mix of Panko for crunch and Italian-style breadcrumbs for flavor. This combination ensures a perfectly textured Chicken Parmesan crust with seasoning that complements the dish.
- Passata (Tomato Purée): Choose a high-quality passata for a rich, smooth sauce. Look for brands with no added sugar or preservatives to maintain the authentic, tangy tomato flavor.
- Mozzarella Cheese: Fresh mozzarella (not pre-shredded) is the best choice for its creamy, gooey melt. Slice it for even coverage, ensuring every bite is perfectly cheesy and satisfying.
*Note: Please see Recipe Card at the bottom for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
Additions And Substitutions
When it comes to Chicken Parmesan, balance is everything. Whether it’s the perfect crunch or the juiciest chicken, each ingredient pulls its weight. Missing something? Simple alternatives will keep the magic alive without missing a beat!
- Craving a plant-based twist? Go for Eggplant Parmesan, the original Italian classic! Crisp, breaded eggplant slices deliver that perfect crunch while layering beautifully with rich tomato sauce and gooey cheese for a deliciously satisfying alternative.
- Swap the Cheese: Mozzarella is the classic choice, but provolone offers a sharper, creamier alternative. Avoid cheddar—it doesn’t melt quite the same and shifts the flavor balance too much.
- Add Some Savory Layers: Many restaurants take it up a notch with slices of ham or bacon stacked on top. While it’s not traditional, this addition amps up the savory flavors without losing the signature crispy, cheesy charm.
Making Perfect Chicken Parmesan: Step-By-Step
Let’s get cooking! With a few easy steps and simple ingredients, you’ll soon have a mouthwatering Chicken Parmesan that’s crispy, cheesy, and downright irresistible. Grab your skillet and let’s make magic happen!
- Make the Sauce: Heat oil in a pot, sauté onion until translucent, then add garlic and cook until fragrant.
- Finish the Sauce: Stir in tomato puree, seasoning, Italian herbs, and optional sugar. Simmer until thickened, then adjust to taste and set aside.
- Marinate the Chicken: Whisk eggs, garlic, parsley, salt, pepper and onion powder in a dish, then coat the chicken in the mixture. Cover and marinate for at least 15 minutes or overnight.
- Prepare the Coating: Combine breadcrumbs, Parmesan, and garlic powder in a bowl. Dip chicken into the mixture, ensuring an even coating.
- Pro Tip: Double-coat the chicken by dipping it back into the egg and breadcrumbs for added crunch.
- Preheat the Oven: Set the oven to 430°F (220°C) and grease an oven tray with nonstick oil.
- Fry the Chicken: Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Fry chicken until golden and crispy on both sides.
- Pro Tip: Avoid overcrowding the pan to keep the oil hot and the crust crunchy.
- Top with Sauce and Cheese: Place fried chicken on the prepared tray, spoon sauce over each piece, and top with mozzarella, Parmesan, and fresh herbs.
- Bake the Chicken: Bake in the oven until the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the chicken is cooked through.
Complete your meal with even more flavor-packed inspiration from our kitchen! Pair this Chicken Parmesan with our creamy and indulgent Garlic Parmesan Mashed Potatoes, or keep things fresh with a vibrant Chicken Avocado Caprese Salad. Need something hearty? Try our luscious Creamy Mushroom Chicken Pasta or cozy up with a comforting plate of Oven-Baked Creamy Chicken and Rice. For a quick side, our golden and crispy Garlic Roasted Potatoes never disappoint.
Recipe FAQ’s
Yes, you can bake it! Place the coated chicken on a lined tray, lightly spray with olive oil, and bake at 425°F (220°C) for 25-30 minutes, flipping halfway.
Chicken breasts are ideal for a lean option, but chicken thighs provide extra moisture and richness for those who prefer a juicier texture.
Make sure the chicken is fried to a golden crisp and use just enough sauce to cover it lightly. Excess sauce can make the coating soggy.
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Crispy Chicken Parmesan
Ingredients
For The Chicken:
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon garlic minced
- 2 tablespoons parsley fresh, chopped
- 1/4 teaspoon salt and pepper to season
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 3 large chicken breasts halved horizontally to make 6 fillets
Breadcrumb mix:
- 1 cup Panko breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs Italian or golden
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese fresh grated
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 cup olive oil for frying
For The Sauce:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 large onion chopped
- 2 teaspoons garlic minced
- 14 ounces tomato puree Passata
- 1/4 teaspoon salt to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs
- 1 teaspoon sugar optional
For The Topping:
- 8 ounces mozzarella cheese sliced or shredded
- 1/3 cup parmesan cheese fresh shredded
- 2 tablespoons basil or parsley, fresh, chopped
Instructions
For The Chicken:
- Whisk together eggs, garlic, parsley, salt, pepper and onion powder 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.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Best chicken Parm I’ve had the pleasure to make! Worth the couple extra steps in my opinion.
How much salt and pepper do you add when your whisking the stuff that marinates at the start? Also if I marinate it overnight, will it be okay to cook the next evening after, a whole 24 hours later? And lastly, how much oil do I put in the pans when in frying the chicken? I don’t want to put too much or too less. Please get back soon, because I’m going to be making it within the week! Thanks 🙂
I’m wondering the same thing. What did u do?
I would just season it lightly with salt and pepper or to your liking and then I would use about 2 to 3 tablespoons of oil and I like to use 2 to 3 tablespoons of Butter for flavoring some recipes call for anywhere from a 1/2 cup to a whole cup of oil for frying but not only will you have Burns bits and should do in 2 separate batches but it will be really soggy an oily in my opinion. Hope that helps
Can you make this recipe without the 15 minutes of marinating?
This recipe e sounds delicious. Are there any health risks marinating raw chicken in eggs overnight? I want to serve this to a pregnant woman and her 2 year old daughter and I want to be careful.
Thanks
Hi Beth,
I understand your concern, however we are not professional health consultants and would strongly advise you in asking your doctor.
You are going to be cooking it thoroughly, twice, at high temperatures. Pregnant women have eaten Chicken Parma for decades with no problem!
Fantastic!
First time I’ve ever made Chicken Parm and it won’t be the last, great recipe thank you!
I used my own sauce just because it’s a staple of mine and I’ve been making it for years. I used 2 large breasts and only partially pounded them out so they took a bit longer to cook (which I anticipated). 4-5mins a side to brown the crust, 5 mins in the oven then I topped with sauce and cheese and went another 15 (430 on convection), came out PERFECT!
I served on a bed of angel hair with some extra sauce on top, a side of nice warm bread and a tall ice cold glass of milk – mmmmmm, mm!! Yes I ate too much but it was Christmas Eve so I’m allowed 🙂
Thanks again, I’ve saved this recipe as a favorite
I have used several recipes to make this, but this one is the best by far. I substituted one of the eggs for some unsweetened almond milk. Served it over some thin no-yolk noodles. Good x 10. 🙂
I made this recipe the other night for dinner and I really appreciated the breakdown for the cooking of the chicken. I have never made chicken parm before, and I found the breading to be the perfect mix of crispy and flavor.. I only did three minutes of frying on each side and 20 minutes in the oven to bake which delivered tender and juicy chicken. I will be using the recipe to make chicken parm again!
Tera!
Thanks for the comment. I am so happy that you like it. Thanks for following along with me! xo
Can I just use the Italian breadcrumbs I dont have panko crumbs or Ritz crackers either
Hi Joni…absolutely!
Made this tonight, my first time ever making Chicken Parmegan and the fam thoroughly enjoyed and approved! A must make again recipe! I did make extra sauce and adjusted accordingly as my crew love their pasta and seen that it freezes well, but there will be none to freeze ? Totally 5 stars! Bravo!! and a BIG thank you for sharing this recipe!
Sally!
Thanks so much for the comment! I am so happy to hear that your whole crew loved the dish. It really is so delicious. Thanks for following along with me! xo
I’d like to make this for Christmas Eve. Are you using fresh mozzarella, or slices off of a block, or pre-shredded from a bag? Looks like round slices in one of the photos (meaning fresh?) but I couldn’t tell for sure.
Hi Nona,
That sounds wonderful. You are welcome to use which ever is more available to you. I recommend sliced or shredded. It will not change the taste. Thanks for the questions and for following along with me!! xo