Classic Chicken Parmesan Recipe: How to Make the Best Italian-American Dish

Chicken Parmesan, originating from Italian-American cuisine, is a timeless classic that has won over the hearts and taste buds of people around the world. In this article, we will show you how to make the best version of this beloved dish with step-by-step instructions and tips to achieve a crispy, juicy, and flavorful chicken parmesan. Keep reading to learn more!

Ingredients

To make a classic chicken parmesan, you will need:

- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 1/2 cups of breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon of garlic powder
- 1 cup of all-purpose flour
- 3 eggs
- Salt and pepper
- 1 jar of marinara sauce
- 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese
- Fresh basil leaves (optional)

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F.
2. In a shallow bowl, mix together breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
3. Place flour in another shallow bowl, and beat eggs with a fork in a separate third bowl.
4. Coat each chicken breast in flour, shaking off any excess. Dip in the beaten eggs, then coat evenly with the breadcrumb mixture.
5. Heat some oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken breasts for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown. Do not overcrowd the skillet; cook in batches if necessary.
6. Transfer the chicken breasts to a baking dish. Spoon marinara sauce over each chicken breast, and top with shredded mozzarella cheese.
7. Bake the chicken in the oven for about 15-20 minutes or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden brown.
8. Garnish with fresh basil leaves if desired, and serve hot.

Tips

- Use a meat tenderizer to flatten the chicken breasts to an even thickness before breading them.
- Do not skip the flour-egg-breadcrumb coating process as it helps the chicken to cook evenly and provides a crispier texture.
- Use homemade or high-quality store-bought marinara sauce for the best flavor.
- If you want to make this dish ahead of time, bread the chicken and store it in the fridge until ready to cook. You can also freeze the breaded chicken for later use.
- For a low-carb option, substitute breadcrumbs with almond flour or coconut flour.