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 extra flavor to the chicken.

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

Marinara sauce: A tomato-based sauce that provides a rich, savory topping for the chicken.

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

Olive oil: Used to coat the chicken breasts before breading and to brown them in the skillet.

When preparing chicken breasts for Chicken Parmesan, ensure they are of even thickness to promote uniform cooking. If needed, use a meat mallet to pound them to an even thickness. This not only helps in achieving a consistent cook but also tenderizes the meat, making it more succulent.

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

• italian seasoned breadcrumbs - Substitute with panko breadcrumbs with italian seasoning: Panko breadcrumbs provide a similar crunch, and you can add Italian seasoning to mimic the flavor.

• grated parmesan cheese - Substitute with grated pecorino romano: Pecorino Romano has a similar salty and nutty flavor, making it a good replacement.

• marinara sauce - Substitute with tomato basil sauce: Tomato basil sauce offers a similar tomato base with a hint of basil, providing a comparable flavor.

• shredded mozzarella cheese - Substitute with shredded provolone cheese: Provolone melts well and has a mild flavor, similar to mozzarella.

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

• 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 ensures that each piece is well-protected from freezer burn.

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

• When ready to reheat, thaw the chicken parmesan in the refrigerator overnight. This gradual thawing helps maintain the texture and flavor.

• Reheat in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 20 minutes, or until heated through. For a crispier texture, you can remove the foil during the last 5 minutes of reheating.

• Alternatively, you can 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 in 1-minute intervals until hot. Be cautious, as microwaving can sometimes make the breadcrumbs less crispy.

• If you have leftover marinara sauce, store it separately in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week, or freeze it for up to 3 months. This way, you can add fresh sauce when reheating the chicken parmesan.

• 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 keep the moisture in.
  4. Heat for about 15-20 minutes, or until the chicken is warmed through and the cheese is melty and bubbly.

• Microwave Method:

  1. Place the chicken parmesan on a microwave-safe plate.
  2. Cover it with a microwave-safe lid or another plate to prevent splatters.
  3. Heat on medium power for 2-3 minutes, checking halfway through to ensure even heating.
  4. If needed, continue heating in 30-second intervals until hot.

• Stovetop Method:

  1. Heat a skillet over medium-low heat.
  2. Add a splash of olive oil or a bit of water to the pan.
  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, or until the chicken is hot and the cheese is bubbly and slightly crispy.

• Oven: Used to bake the chicken parmesan to ensure it is cooked through and the cheese is bubbly.

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

• Skillet: Used to brown the chicken on both sides before baking.

• Baking dish: Used to place the browned chicken, marinara sauce, and mozzarella cheese for baking.

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

• Tablespoon: Used to measure the olive oil.

• Tongs: Used to handle the chicken breasts while dipping in olive oil and coating with the breadcrumb mixture.

• Spatula: Used to flip the chicken breasts in the skillet to ensure even browning.

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

• Cutting board: Used as a surface to prepare the chicken breasts.

• Mixing bowl: Used to hold the olive oil for dipping the chicken breasts.

• Meat thermometer: Used to check if the chicken is cooked through to the proper internal temperature.

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

Use pre-shredded cheese: Opt for pre-shredded mozzarella to cut down on prep time.

Buy pre-made marinara sauce: Using store-bought marinara sauce can significantly reduce cooking time.

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

Prepare in batches: Bread all the chicken breasts at once before moving to the skillet to streamline the process.