Description

This classic Chicken Parmesan recipe uses tender, breaded chicken cutlets fried to a golden crisp, then topped with marinara sauce and melted mozzarella cheese. Perfect for a cozy family dinner, this dish brings together crisp texture and rich flavor in every bite.

Ingredients

Scale

2 boneless chicken breasts (sliced and pounded into cutlets)
1 cup Italian seasoned breadcrumbs
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1½ cups marinara sauce
2 large eggs
½ cup all-purpose flour
Salt and black pepper to taste
3 tablespoons olive oil (for frying)
Fresh basil or parsley (for garnish, optional)

Instructions

1️⃣ Prepare the Chicken Cutlets
• Slice chicken breasts horizontally and pound to even thickness.
• Season both sides with salt and pepper.

2️⃣ Bread the Chicken
• Set up a dredging station with 3 shallow bowls: flour, beaten eggs, and a mix of breadcrumbs and Parmesan.
• Dredge each cutlet in flour, then egg, then breadcrumbs. Press to coat well.

3️⃣ Fry the Cutlets
• Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
• Fry cutlets for 3–4 minutes per side until golden brown and crispy.
• Drain on paper towels to remove excess oil.

4️⃣ Assemble and Bake
• Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
• Spread ½ cup marinara sauce in a baking dish.
• Arrange fried cutlets in the dish and top each with more marinara and mozzarella.
• Bake for 10–12 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.

5️⃣ Garnish and Serve
• Top with chopped basil or parsley.
• Serve hot with pasta, salad, or vegetables.

Notes

For extra crispiness, place a wire rack on the baking sheet before baking the breaded cutlets.
You can make this dish ahead by frying the cutlets and refrigerating them; assemble with sauce and cheese just before baking.
Use freshly shredded mozzarella for better melt and texture than pre-shredded cheese.
Marinara sauce can be homemade or store-bought, but choose one with low sugar for best balance.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Lunch, Main Course
Method: Frying, Baking
Cuisine: Italian-American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cutlet with sauce and cheese
Calories: 430 kcal
Sugar: 5g
Sodium: 720mg
Fat: 22g
Saturated Fat: 8g
Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 20g
Fiber: 2 g
Protein: 34g
Cholesterol: 110mg

Keywords: chicken parmesan, chicken cutlet recipe, easy dinner, crispy chicken, Italian chicken, baked chicken parmesan, comfort food, chicken with cheese