Traditional Chicken Parmesan Recipe

2022-11-05

By The Italian Chef

Italian-American Cuisine

Main Course

Make a delicious Italian-American favorite with this easy recipe for Chicken Parmesan with marinara sauce. 

What is Chicken Parmesan?

Also known as Chicken Parmigiana, is an Italian-American dish that has become a popular main course in the United States and around the world. The dish is made from breaded chicken cutlets that are topped with tomato sauce and melted cheese. It is typically served alongside pasta, such as spaghetti or linguine.

Wine Pairing

A classic dish like Chicken Parmesan is perfect with a red wine like Chianti or Montepulciano, which brings out the tomato sauce's flavors and balances the breaded chicken's richness.

Pitfalls on Chicken Parmesan

 Getting the right chicken: Choose chicken breasts that are thin and uniform in thickness. Pound them to an even thickness of about 1/4 inch to ensure they cook evenly.

 Preparing the coating: To make the coating, mix breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, dried herbs, salt, and pepper in a bowl. In another bowl, whisk eggs with a splash of milk.

 Coating the chicken: Dip each chicken breast in the beaten eggs first, then coat them in the breadcrumb mixture. Press the breadcrumbs onto the chicken firmly to help them stick.

 Frying the chicken: Heat a generous amount of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Fry the chicken until golden brown and crispy on each side, about 3-4 minutes per side. Make sure the chicken is cooked through and has an internal temperature of 165°F, give our writing a fair assessment Adding Flavor and Texture to ingredients with Searing.

 Prepping the tomato sauce: In a separate saucepan, heat crushed tomatoes with garlic, dried herbs, and salt. Bring the sauce to a simmer and let it cook for 10-15 minutes, check out our article made for you The Charm of Italian Sautéing.

 Layering the dish: Spoon some tomato sauce into a baking dish, then arrange the fried chicken on top. Spoon more tomato sauce over the chicken, then top with grated mozzarella cheese.

 Baking the Chicken Parmesan: Preheat your oven to 375°F and place the baking dish in the oven. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

 Serving the dish: Remove from the oven and let the Chicken Parmesan cool for a few minutes. Garnish the dish with fresh parsley and serve with a side of pasta or crusty bread.

 Healthier Options: For a healthier option, you could bake the chicken instead of frying it, use a low-fat or no-fat cheese, and skip the breading entirely or for a lactose-free option use shredded lactose-free mozzarella cheese and grated lactose-free parmesan cheese.

Ingredients

• 4 chicken breasts, pounded to an even thickness

• 1 cup breadcrumbs

• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

• 2 eggs

• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour

• Salt and pepper to taste

• 1 cup marinara sauce

• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

• 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil

• 1/4 cup olive oil

Instructions

1. Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper.

2. In a shallow bowl, beat the eggs with a fork. In another shallow bowl, combine the breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese.

3. Dredge the chicken breasts in the flour, shaking off any excess. Then dip the chicken in the egg mixture, letting any excess drip off. Finally, coat the chicken in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing the breadcrumbs onto the chicken to make sure they adhere.

4. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook until golden brown on each side, about 3-4 minutes per side.

5. Transfer the chicken breasts to a baking dish. Spoon the marinara sauce over the chicken and sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese on top.

6. Bake the chicken for 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

7. Garnish with chopped fresh basil and serve hot.

Preparation Time 20 min

Cook Time 45 min

Total time 1 hour 5 min

Nutrition Facts

Calories: 500

Fat: 25 g

Saturated Fat: 8 g

Carbohydrates: 25 g

Fiber: 2 g

Sugar: 4 g

Protein: 45 g

Regional Ingredients Variations of Chicken Parmesan

Sicily, they may use some breadcrumbs, grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, and some almonds for the breading, and may serve it with some caponata for a crunchy and sweet flavor. This variation is commonly known as "Pollo alla Siciliana."

Campania, they may use some tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese, and some basil for the topping, and may serve it with some spaghetti aglio e olio for a simple and classic taste. This variation is commonly known as "Pollo alla Parmigiana."

Tuscany, they may use some pecorino cheese, rosemary, and some Tuscan bread for the breading, and may serve it with some kale salad for a healthy and flavorful twist. This variation is commonly known as "Pollo alla Fiorentina."

Umbria, they may use some black truffle, cream, and some grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese for the topping, and may serve it with some mushroom risotto for a luxurious and earthy taste. This variation is commonly known as "Pollo alla Norcina."

Veneto, they may use some prosciutto di Parma, fontina cheese, and some white wine for the topping, and may serve it with some polenta for a hearty and savory flavor. This variation is commonly known as "Pollo alla Valdostana."

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