Chicken parmesan on top of a bed of noodles on a round brown plate with a white bowl of salad and a brown and white towel behind all on a wooden surface (with logo overlay)

Easy Chicken Parmesan

Chicken Parmesan is one of those meals that seems more complicated than it really is. Make it at home in 30 minutes and half the price.

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Chicken Parmesan has always been one of my favorite meals when we would go to an Italian restaurant. But we didn’t want to have to go out to eat every time I got a craving. So I tried to figure out a way to make it at home with a pretty quick and easy recipe. I decided the chicken needed to be breaded. Then it needed some sauce and cheese. I used my recipe for Country Fried Steak for the idea on how to do the breading.

Originally, I baked the chicken for this recipe, but it never turned out the same. I am very picky about the texture of chicken when I eat it. Baking it always seemed to leave the chicken a little soft. I wanted it to have a little bit of crunch to it that fried chicken usually has. One day we decided to try pan-frying it all, and it came out so much better. We also noticed that it seemed to cook quicker because the chicken would always take so long to bake through. Or maybe that’s because I never felt like it was done so we kept putting it in longer and longer.

By doing this on the stovetop, you have more control over getting the chicken to a good texture. It also doesn’t seem to absorb the sauce as much as when I baked it, meaning the chicken never got firm. I’ve made this with canned sauce and my homemade marinara sauce, and both are delicious.

Step by Step

Dredge the chicken in flour, then egg, then breadcrumbs. If you like extra breading on yours, you can do the egg and breadcrumbs a second time to coat it more.

Round white plate with breaded chicken in front of white bowls with flour, egg, and bread crumbs all on a wooden surface

Put a small amount of oil in a medium skillet or cast-iron pan and set the heat to medium. Add the chicken to the pan. Cook for about 5-10 minutes. Flip the chicken and cook the other side for at least another 5-10 minutes. Make sure that the chicken is cooked through before going on to the next step.

Cast iron skillet with two breaded and fried chicken breasts on a wooden surface

Lower the heat down to medium-low. Spoon the marinara sauce over the chicken. If you like yours really saucy, make sure to cover the entire chicken. Remember, some will probably fall off which means it may cook into the bottom of it a little bit as well. Add the cheese to the top of each chicken, distributing evenly.

Cast iron skillet with fried chicken breasts covered with red sauce and shredded cheeses all on a wooden surface

Cover the pan for about 5 minutes or until the cheese has fully melted. Serve the chicken parmesan warm. I like to sprinkle a little more cheese on top of mine, but I just really love cheese. This entree goes great with some fresh bread, pasta noodles, and/or a salad. It’s almost like going out to eat but without the extra time and expense!

Chicken parmesan on top of a bed of noodles on a round brown plate with a white bowl of salad and a brown and white towel behind all on a wooden surface (vertical)

Recipe

Originally Published On: July 24, 2017

Last Updated On: January 10, 2020

Chicken parmesan on top of a bed of noodles on a round brown plate with a white bowl of salad and a brown and white towel behind all on a wooden surface

Easy Chicken Parmesan

Chicken Parmesan is one of those meals that seems more complicated than it really is. Make it at home in 30 minutes and half the price.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course:
Main Dish
Cuisine:
American
|
Italian
Keyword:
cheese
|
chicken
|
sauce
Servings: 2 pieces
5 from 9 votes

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 eggs (beaten)
  • 1 cups bread crumbs
  • 2 chicken breasts (boneless, skinless)
  • 2 tbsp oil
  • 4 tbsp marinara sauce
  • 1/4 cup mozzarella cheese (shredded)
  • 1/4 cup parmesan cheese (shredded)

Recommended Equipment

Instructions

  • Put the flour, eggs, and bread crumbs in 3 separate bowls
  • Dip each chicken breast into the flour then eggs then bread crumbs, making sure to completely coat with each
  • Heat the oil in a frying pan over medium heat
  • Add the chicken and let it cook for about 5-10 minutes or until the bottom is golden brown
  • Flip the chicken and cook another 5-10 minutes or until chicken is golden brown and cooked through
  • Reduce heat to medium-low and cover the chicken with sauce
  • Sprinkle the cheeses on top and cover pan, cooking for about 5 minutes or until cheese is melted
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Nutrition Facts
Easy Chicken Parmesan
Amount Per Serving (1 piece)
Calories 682 Calories from Fat 225
% Daily Value*
Fat 25g38%
Saturated Fat 7g35%
Cholesterol 287mg96%
Sodium 1051mg44%
Potassium 1060mg30%
Carbohydrates 44g15%
Fiber 3g12%
Sugar 4g4%
Protein 67g134%
Vitamin A 568IU11%
Vitamin C 5mg6%
Calcium 323mg32%
Iron 5mg28%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

45 thoughts on “Easy Chicken Parmesan”

  6. Kaitlan

    This is an awesome take on a classic dish! It looks simple enough to come make and definitely delicious. I also love extra cheese! Haha

    Reply
  7. Patricia Chamberlain

    Chicken Parm is an absolute favorite in our home. We will try it this way next time it makes its way onto our dinner menu.

    Reply
  10. Narkis Moshe

    I love breaded chicken, in Israel, we call it schnitzel even though schnitzel comes from Austria and it’s supposed to be veal lol. I only discovered chicken parmesan when I came to America and loved it! Thank you for the recipe, it will be great for dinner 🙂

    Reply
  11. Kim

    This looks juicy and flavourful. I like how you get inspired by foods you eat at restaurants and takes the time to recreate them at home. It probably is healthier than the restaurant version too.

    Reply
    1. Stephanie

      I have a lot of fun trying to dissect a recipe and figure it out on my own. Most of the time, it probably is healthier, and it allows me to customize it to exactly what we like.

      Reply
  16. Becca Wilson

    Chicken parm is one of those things I normally only get at a restaurant. So glad to know it is so easy for me to make at home too!

    Reply
    1. Stephanie

      I was the same way for a long time until we decided one night that it sounded good but we didn’t want to go out. It’s so easy, I don’t know why I waited so long to make it myself!

      Reply
  19. chelf

    I think that the fact that you are picky with the textures of food is what makes you such a great home-chef. All your recipes are always a success which proves how much thought and energy you put into this! I can’t wait to cook this chicken for Nick!

    Reply
    1. Stephanie

      Thanks! It definitely makes cooking interesting, but also means that my boys are likely to eat the recipes since I can be picky, too. I hope Nick enjoys the recipe!

      Reply

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