Crispy Chicken Parmesan
A quick and easy crispy chicken parmesan recipe perfect for cozy Italian nights, featuring a golden crunchy crust, melted mozzarella, and tangy marinara sauce.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
- 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 to 1.5 pounds or 450–680 grams)
- ½ cup all-purpose flour (60 grams)
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 1 ½ cups Italian-style breadcrumbs (150 grams)
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese (50 grams)
- 1 cup shredded low-moisture mozzarella cheese (about 100 grams)
- 1 cup marinara sauce (240 ml)
- ¼ cup olive oil (60 ml)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Trim any excess fat from the chicken breasts. If uneven in thickness, slice horizontally or pound to about ½ inch thickness. Season both sides with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and dried oregano.
- Set up breading station with flour in one shallow bowl, beaten eggs in another, and mix Italian-style breadcrumbs with grated Parmesan cheese in a third.
- Coat each chicken breast in flour, shaking off excess. Dip in beaten eggs, letting extra drip off, then press firmly into breadcrumb-cheese mixture to cover completely. Repeat for all pieces.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat until shimmering but not smoking, about 3 minutes.
- Fry chicken breasts for 4-5 minutes on each side until golden brown and crispy. Flip gently with tongs to keep crust intact. Adjust heat if browning too fast.
- Transfer chicken to a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil.
- Place fried chicken in an oven-safe dish or skillet. Spoon marinara sauce evenly over each piece, then sprinkle shredded mozzarella and additional Parmesan on top.
- Broil in preheated oven for 2-4 minutes until cheese is melted, bubbling, and slightly golden. Watch closely to avoid burning.
- Let chicken rest for 1-2 minutes before serving to allow cheese to set and juices to lock in.
Notes
For the crispiest crust, press breadcrumbs firmly and consider double breading. Maintain medium heat to avoid burning or sogginess. Freshly grated cheese melts better than pre-shredded. Let chicken rest after frying and broiling for best texture. To avoid soggy crust, simmer marinara sauce to thicken if watery. Baking at 425°F for 20 minutes is an alternative to frying but yields less crunch. Air fryer option: cook at 400°F for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast wit
- Calories: 450
- Fat: 20
- Carbohydrates: 25
- Protein: 35
Keywords: crispy chicken parmesan, chicken parmesan recipe, easy chicken parmesan, Italian chicken recipe, breaded chicken, cozy dinner, weeknight meal