Italian Oven-Baked Chicken Parmesan with Fresh Basil
Juicy breaded chicken breasts baked with marinara and melted mozzarella, finished with fresh basil for a classic Italian dinner. This italian-inspired chicken ready in about 45 minutes pairs all-purpose flour, beaten large eggs, Italian seasoned breadcrumbs for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 550 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 4 (6 oz each) boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 2, beaten large eggs
- 1 1/2 cups Italian seasoned breadcrumbs
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup, chopped fresh basil leaves
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp, freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F. Season 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper. Dredge each breast in 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, then dip in 2 beaten eggs, and coat evenly with 1 1/2 cups Italian seasoned breadcrumbs.
- Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Sear breaded chicken for 3 minutes on each side until golden brown but not cooked through.
- Step 3: Spoon 2 cups marinara sauce evenly over chicken breasts, then sprinkle with 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella and 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese.
- Step 4: Transfer skillet to oven and bake for 15 minutes until cheese is melted and chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. Garnish with 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Italian Oven-Baked Chicken Parmesan with Fresh Basil take to make?
Total time is about 45 minutes (20 min prep + 25 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Italian Oven-Baked Chicken Parmesan with Fresh Basil?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep all-purpose flour from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Italian Oven-Baked Chicken Parmesan with Fresh Basil?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Italian Oven-Baked Chicken Parmesan with Fresh Basil for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Italian Oven-Baked Chicken Parmesan with Fresh Basil?
Italian chicken like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.