Chicken Parmesan Recipe

Chicken breasts: Boneless and skinless, these are the main protein for the dish.

Italian seasoned breadcrumbs: These breadcrumbs are pre-seasoned with Italian herbs and spices, adding extra flavor to the chicken.

Parmesan cheese: Grated cheese that adds a nutty and salty flavor to the breadcrumb coating.

Marinara sauce: A tomato-based sauce that provides a rich and tangy flavor to the dish.

Mozzarella cheese: Shredded cheese that melts beautifully over the chicken, creating a gooey topping.

Olive oil: Used for coating the chicken breasts before breading and for cooking them to a golden brown.

Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the dish.

Black pepper: Adds a touch of heat and depth to the seasoning.

When coating the chicken breasts with the breadcrumb mixture, press the crumbs firmly onto the meat to ensure an even and thorough coating. This will help create a crispier crust when you cook the chicken in the skillet. Additionally, using olive oil instead of an egg wash can add a richer flavor and help the breadcrumbs adhere better.

• boneless, skinless chicken breasts - Substitute with boneless, skinless turkey breasts: Turkey breasts have a similar texture and flavor profile, making them a good alternative for chicken.

• italian seasoned breadcrumbs - Substitute with panko breadcrumbs with italian seasoning: Panko breadcrumbs provide a lighter, crispier texture and can be seasoned with Italian herbs to mimic the original flavor.

• grated parmesan cheese - Substitute with grated pecorino romano: Pecorino Romano has a similar salty and tangy flavor, making it a suitable replacement for Parmesan.

• marinara sauce - Substitute with tomato basil sauce: Tomato basil sauce offers a similar tomato base with added basil for a slightly different but complementary flavor.

• shredded mozzarella cheese - Substitute with shredded provolone cheese: Provolone melts similarly to mozzarella and has a mild flavor that works well in this dish.

• olive oil - Substitute with avocado oil: Avocado oil has a high smoke point and a neutral flavor, making it a good alternative for cooking.

• salt - Substitute with sea salt: Sea salt can be used in the same quantity and provides a similar level of seasoning.

• freshly ground black pepper - Substitute with white pepper: White pepper has a slightly different flavor but can be used to provide a similar level of heat and seasoning.

• Allow the chicken parmesan to cool completely before storing. This helps prevent condensation, which can make the breadcrumb coating soggy.

• For short-term storage, place the chicken parmesan in an airtight container. It can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.

• If you plan to freeze the chicken parmesan, wrap each piece individually in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. This ensures that the pieces do not stick together and makes it easier to reheat only what you need.

• After wrapping, place the individually wrapped pieces in a freezer-safe bag or container. Label the container with the date to keep track of its freshness. The chicken parmesan can be frozen for up to 2-3 months.

• To reheat from the refrigerator, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the chicken parmesan in an oven-safe dish and cover with aluminum foil. Heat for about 15-20 minutes, or until warmed through.

• For reheating from frozen, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Remove the plastic wrap or foil from the chicken parmesan and place it in an oven-safe dish. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until heated through. Remove the foil during the last 10 minutes to allow the cheese to melt and become bubbly.

• If you prefer to use a microwave, place the chicken parmesan on a microwave-safe plate. Cover with a microwave-safe lid or another plate to retain moisture. Heat on medium power in 1-minute intervals until warmed through, checking frequently to avoid overcooking.

• For best results, avoid reheating chicken parmesan multiple times. Reheat only the portion you plan to consume to maintain the best texture and flavor.

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the chicken parmesan in an oven-safe dish. Cover with aluminum foil to prevent drying out. Bake for about 20 minutes or until heated through.

• For a quicker method, use a microwave. Place the chicken parmesan on a microwave-safe plate. Cover with a microwave-safe lid or another plate to retain moisture. Heat on medium power for 2-3 minutes, checking halfway through to ensure even heating.

• If you prefer a crispy texture, use a skillet. Heat a small amount of olive oil over medium heat. Add the chicken parmesan and cover the skillet. Cook for about 5-7 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the cheese is melted and the chicken is heated through.

• For a toaster oven, preheat to 350°F (175°C). Place the chicken parmesan on a baking sheet. Heat for about 10-15 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and the chicken is warmed through.

• Oven: Used to bake the chicken parmesan at a consistent temperature of 375°F (190°C).

• Skillet: Essential for browning the chicken breasts to achieve a golden crust before baking.

• Shallow dish: Ideal for combining the breadcrumbs and grated parmesan cheese for coating the chicken.

• Baking dish: Used to transfer the browned chicken breasts and bake them with marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese.

• Tongs: Handy for flipping the chicken breasts while browning them in the skillet.

• Measuring cups: Necessary for accurately measuring the breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, marinara sauce, and olive oil.

• Grater: Used to grate the parmesan cheese if not using pre-grated cheese.

• Spatula: Useful for transferring the chicken breasts from the skillet to the baking dish.

• Knife: Needed for any additional preparation, such as trimming the chicken breasts.

• Cutting board: Provides a safe surface for seasoning and preparing the chicken breasts.

• Oven mitts: Essential for safely handling the hot baking dish when removing it from the oven.

• Serving platter: Used to present the finished chicken parmesan when serving.

Prepare ingredients ahead: Measure and combine breadcrumbs and parmesan cheese in advance to save time during cooking.

Use pre-made marinara sauce: Opt for a high-quality store-bought marinara sauce to cut down on preparation time.

Flatten chicken breasts: Pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness for quicker and more uniform cooking.

Preheat oven early: Start preheating your oven while you prepare the chicken to streamline the process.

One-pan method: Use an oven-safe skillet to cook the chicken and then transfer it directly to the oven, reducing the number of dishes to clean.