Chicken Parmesan Recipe

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

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

Parmesan cheese: Grated parmesan cheese is mixed with the breadcrumbs for an extra cheesy crust.

Marinara sauce: A rich tomato-based sauce that tops the chicken, adding moisture and flavor.

Mozzarella cheese: Shredded mozzarella melts beautifully over the marinara sauce, creating a gooey, cheesy layer.

Olive oil: Used for frying the chicken breasts 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, make sure to press firmly to ensure an even and thorough coating. This will help achieve a crispy and golden crust when you cook the chicken in the frying pan. Additionally, after transferring the chicken to the baking dish, you can add a bit of extra marinara sauce around the edges to keep the chicken moist during baking.

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

• italian seasoned breadcrumbs - Substitute with panko breadcrumbs mixed with italian seasoning: Panko breadcrumbs provide a similar crunch, and adding Italian seasoning will give the same flavor profile.

• grated parmesan cheese - Substitute with grated pecorino romano: Pecorino Romano has a similar texture and a slightly stronger flavor, which can enhance the dish.

• marinara sauce - Substitute with tomato basil sauce: Tomato basil sauce has a similar base but with added basil for a fresh twist.

• shredded mozzarella cheese - Substitute with shredded provolone cheese: Provolone melts similarly to mozzarella and has a slightly sharper flavor.

• olive oil - Substitute with canola oil: Canola oil has a neutral flavor and a similar smoke point, making it a good alternative for cooking.

• salt - Substitute with sea salt: Sea salt can be used in the same quantity and provides a slightly different mineral flavor.

• black pepper - Substitute with white pepper: White pepper has a similar heat but a slightly different flavor, which can add a unique twist to the dish.

• Allow the chicken parmesan to cool completely before storing. This prevents condensation, which can make the breadcrumbs soggy.
• For short-term storage, place the chicken parmesan in an airtight container and refrigerate. It will stay fresh 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 helps to maintain the texture and flavor.
• Place the wrapped chicken parmesan in a freezer-safe bag or container. Label it with the date to keep track of its freshness.
• When ready to reheat, thaw the chicken parmesan in the refrigerator overnight. This ensures even reheating and prevents the chicken from drying out.
• Reheat in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken is heated through and the cheese is bubbly.
• For a quicker option, you can also reheat in the microwave. Place the chicken parmesan on a microwave-safe plate, cover with a microwave-safe lid or another plate, and heat on medium power for 2-3 minutes, checking halfway through.
• To maintain the crispiness of the breadcrumbs, consider reheating in an air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for about 5-7 minutes.
• Avoid reheating multiple times, as this can dry out the chicken and make the cheese rubbery. Reheat only the portion you plan to eat.

• Oven Method:

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Place the leftover chicken parmesan in an oven-safe dish.
  3. Cover the dish with aluminum foil to prevent the chicken from drying out.
  4. Heat for about 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken is warmed through and the cheese is bubbly.
  5. For a crispy top, remove the foil during the last 5 minutes of reheating.

• Microwave Method:

  1. Place the chicken parmesan on a microwave-safe plate.
  2. Cover with a microwave-safe lid or another plate to retain moisture.
  3. Heat on medium power for 2-3 minutes, checking halfway through.
  4. If not heated through, continue in 30-second increments until hot.

• Stovetop Method:

  1. Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat.
  2. Add a small amount of olive oil or butter to the skillet.
  3. Place the chicken parmesan in the skillet and cover with a lid.
  4. Heat for about 5-7 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the chicken is warmed through and the cheese is melted.

• Air Fryer Method:

  1. Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Place the chicken parmesan in the air fryer basket.
  3. Heat for 5-7 minutes, checking halfway through to ensure it doesn't overcook.
  4. For extra crispiness, you can spray a light mist of olive oil on top before reheating.

• Oven: Used to bake the chicken parmesan until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

• Frying pan: Used to cook the chicken breasts until they are golden brown.

• Shallow dish: Used to combine the breadcrumbs and grated parmesan cheese for coating the chicken.

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

• Tongs: Used to handle the chicken breasts while cooking and transferring them.

• Measuring cups: Used to measure out the breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, marinara sauce, and olive oil.

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

• Spatula: Used to flip the chicken breasts in the frying pan.

• Knife: Used to trim any excess fat from the chicken breasts.

• Cutting board: Used as a surface to season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper.

Preheat the oven: Start preheating the oven while you prepare the chicken to save time.

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

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

Prepare breadcrumb mixture ahead: Mix the breadcrumbs and parmesan cheese in advance and store in an airtight container.

Cook in batches: If your frying pan is small, cook the chicken breasts in batches to ensure even browning.

Assemble in advance: Assemble the chicken with marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese in the baking dish and refrigerate until ready to bake.