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 cheese that adds a salty, nutty flavor to the dish.

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

Mozzarella cheese: Shredded cheese that melts beautifully over the chicken, creating a gooey, cheesy layer.

Olive oil: Used for frying the chicken to a golden brown.

Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the dish.

Black pepper: Adds a bit of heat and depth to the seasoning.

When preparing chicken breasts for Chicken Parmesan, it's crucial to ensure they are of even thickness. This allows for uniform cooking and prevents any pieces from being undercooked or overcooked. To achieve this, place each chicken breast between two sheets of plastic wrap or parchment paper and gently pound with a meat mallet or rolling pin until they are about ½ inch thick. This step not only ensures even cooking but also helps the seasonings and breadcrumbs adhere better, resulting in a more flavorful and crispy exterior.

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

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

• grated parmesan cheese - Substitute with grated pecorino romano: Pecorino Romano has a similar salty and tangy flavor, making it a good alternative to Parmesan.

• marinara sauce - Substitute with tomato basil sauce: Tomato basil sauce offers a similar tomato base with a slightly different herb profile, which can add a fresh twist to the dish.

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

• olive oil - Substitute with grapeseed oil: Grapeseed oil has a high smoke point and a neutral flavor, making it a suitable alternative for cooking.

• salt - Substitute with sea salt: Sea salt can be used in the same quantity and provides a similar level of saltiness.

• black pepper - Substitute with white pepper: White pepper has a similar heat and flavor profile but is slightly milder, making it a good substitute.

• Allow the chicken parmesan to cool completely before storing. This helps prevent condensation, which can make the dish soggy.
• Transfer the cooled chicken parmesan to an airtight container. If stacking pieces, place a sheet of parchment paper between each layer to prevent sticking.
• Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until heated through, about 15-20 minutes.
• For freezing, wrap each piece of chicken parmesan individually in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag or container. This prevents freezer burn and makes it easy to thaw individual portions.
• Label the container with the date to keep track of freshness. Frozen chicken parmesan can be stored for up to 2-3 months.
• To reheat from frozen, preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Remove the plastic wrap and place the chicken parmesan on a baking sheet. Cover with foil and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until heated through. Remove the foil for the last 10 minutes to allow the cheese to become bubbly and golden.
• For a quicker option, thaw the chicken parmesan in the refrigerator overnight before reheating. This reduces the baking time to about 20 minutes.

• 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 melted and 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 keep the moisture in.
  3. Heat on medium power for 2-3 minutes.
  4. Check the temperature and continue heating in 30-second intervals until the chicken is warmed through.

• Stovetop Method:

  1. Heat a skillet over medium heat and add a small amount of olive oil.
  2. Place the chicken parmesan in the skillet and cover with a lid.
  3. 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 about 5-7 minutes, or until the chicken is warmed through and the cheese is melted and crispy.

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

• Skillet: Utilized to cook the chicken breasts until they are golden brown.

• Baking dish: Holds the chicken breasts topped with marinara sauce and cheeses for baking.

• Tongs: Handy for flipping the chicken breasts in the skillet.

• Measuring cups: Essential for accurately measuring the breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, and marinara sauce.

• Measuring spoons: Used to measure the salt and black pepper for seasoning the chicken.

• Grater: Necessary for grating the parmesan cheese if not pre-grated.

• Knife: Useful for trimming any excess fat from the chicken breasts.

• Cutting board: Provides a safe surface for preparing the chicken breasts.

• Spatula: Helps in transferring the cooked chicken breasts from the skillet to the baking dish.

• Mixing bowl: Used to combine the breadcrumbs and grated parmesan cheese if needed.

• Basting brush: Optional, but can be used to evenly spread the marinara sauce over the chicken breasts.

Pre-cook the chicken: Sear the chicken breasts in advance and store them in the fridge. This reduces cooking time when you're ready to bake.

Use store-bought marinara: Opt for a quality marinara sauce from the store to save time on making it from scratch.

Shred cheese ahead: Pre-shred the mozzarella cheese and store it in an airtight container. This will save you a step during assembly.

Bread in batches: Bread all the chicken breasts at once, so you can quickly move to the cooking stage without interruption.

One-pan method: Use an oven-safe skillet to sear the chicken and then transfer it directly to the oven, minimizing dishwashing.