The Best Classic Chicken Parmesan
Crispy breaded chicken topped with gooey mozzarella and tangy marinara, baked to golden perfection. This italian-inspired chicken ready in about 50 minutes pairs ounce breasts chicken breast, Italian breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 550 calories and feeds 2, 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
- 2 6-ounce breasts chicken breast
- 1/2 cup Italian breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 1/2 cup, shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Whisk egg in a shallow bowl. In another bowl, mix breadcrumbs and Parmesan.
- Step 2: Dip each chicken breast into the egg, then press into the breadcrumb mixture until fully coated. Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Step 3: Drizzle olive oil over the chicken and bake for 20-22 minutes until golden and cooked through.
- Step 4: Remove from oven and top each breast with marinara sauce and mozzarella. Return to oven for 8-10 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden.
- Step 5: Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does The Best Classic Chicken Parmesan take to make?
Total time is about 50 minutes (20 min prep + 30 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 The Best Classic Chicken Parmesan?
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 ounce breasts chicken breast from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in The Best Classic Chicken Parmesan?
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 The Best Classic Chicken Parmesan for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). 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 The Best Classic Chicken Parmesan?
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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
My partner, who's usually picky, absolutely loved this.
- ★★★★☆
My family liked it. I personally would prefer more depth of flavor.
- ★★★★☆
Almost perfect — just needed a squeeze of lemon at the end.
