Frederic Melton
Chicken Parmesan is a popular Italian-American dish that is both comforting and impressive. The key to a great chicken Parmesan lies in achieving a crispy, golden-brown crust without making it soggy by adding too much sauce. To make chicken Parmesan, start by seasoning chicken breasts with salt and pepper, and then coat them with flour, followed by an egg mixture, and finally a breadcrumb and Parmesan cheese mixture. The chicken is then fried until golden brown and finished off in the oven with a topping of tomato sauce and cheese.
Characteristics and Values Table for Breaded Chicken with Parmesan Cheese
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Chicken | Boneless, skinless chicken breasts, pounded to 1/4-1/2 inch thickness |
| Cheese | Parmesan, freshly grated, mixed with breadcrumbs |
| Breadcrumbs | Panko or regular, mixed with Parmesan |
| Flour | All-purpose, seasoned with Italian herbs, salt, and pepper |
| Eggs | Beaten, used to coat chicken before breading |
| Oil | Olive or avocado, for frying |
| Oven Temperature | 400-450°F |
| Sauce | Marinara, served on the side or spooned over chicken before baking |
| Additional Cheese | Mozzarella, Provolone, or a mix, added before baking |
| Herbs | Basil, thyme, rosemary, oregano, or parsley, for garnish |
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What You'll Learn
How to prepare the chicken
To prepare the chicken, start by seasoning the chicken breasts with salt and pepper. You can also add Italian seasoning, dried basil, garlic powder, thyme, rosemary, oregano, and other herbs and seasonings to the flour coating.
Next, set up three large shallow bowls in an assembly line. Put flour in the first bowl, and beat eggs in the second bowl. In the third bowl, mix breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, and any additional salt, pepper, and chopped fresh herbs.
Now, it's time to coat the chicken. First, coat the chicken breasts with flour, shaking off any excess. Then, dip the chicken into the egg mixture, allowing any excess to drip off. Finally, press the chicken into the breadcrumb mixture, ensuring both sides are thoroughly coated.
Before frying, let the breaded chicken rest for about 10 to 15 minutes. This allows the coating to adhere to the chicken.
To fry the chicken, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the breaded chicken and cook for about 2 minutes per side, until golden brown.
If you prefer to bake the chicken, place the breaded chicken on a wire rack on a baking sheet and spray with cooking spray. Bake at 400°F for 15-20 minutes or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
For an extra crispy coating, you can also use the air fryer method. Simply place the coated chicken in the air fryer basket, spray with cooking spray, and air fry at 350°F for 25 minutes, flipping halfway through.
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The breading method
Set up three large shallow bowls in an assembly line. In the first bowl, place the flour. In the second bowl, beat the eggs. In the third bowl, mix the breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, and any other desired seasonings and herbs.
Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Then, coat the chicken breast in flour, shaking off any excess so there is just a light dusting. The flour helps the egg mixture stick, ensuring the Parmesan coating stays put.
Next, dip the chicken into the egg mixture, turning to coat it evenly. Allow any excess egg to drip off, as this creates a sticky surface that helps the Parmesan coating cling.
Finally, press the chicken into the breadcrumb mixture, turning it a few times to ensure an even, well-coated crust. Set the breaded chicken on a plate and repeat with the remaining pieces.
Before frying, let the breaded chicken sit for about 15 minutes to allow the coating to adhere to the chicken.
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. When the oil is hot, add the chicken and cook for 2-4 minutes on each side until golden brown.
Place the fried chicken on a wire rack to let any excess oil drip off.
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Cooking the chicken
Now that your chicken is coated with the breading, it's time to cook it.
Frying the Chicken
First, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. You'll know the oil is hot enough when it begins to shimmer. Next, add the breaded chicken and fry for about 2 minutes on each side, until golden brown. The chicken will finish cooking in the oven, so you don't need to cook it through at this stage.
Baking the Chicken
Preheat your oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Spoon a thin layer of marinara sauce into a 9x13" baking pan to cover the bottom of the pan. Place the fried chicken on top of the sauce. Add a spoonful of marinara sauce over each chicken breast, followed by a sprinkle of mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Bake for 10-15 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the chicken is cooked through. The chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
Alternative Baking Method
If you prefer, you can bake the chicken without frying it first. Lay the breaded chicken breasts on a wire rack on top of a baking sheet and spray them with cooking spray. Bake at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 15-20 minutes or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
Air Frying the Chicken
If you have an air fryer, you can use that instead of a traditional oven. Lay the coated chicken breasts in the air fryer basket and lightly spray them with cooking spray. Air fry at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 minutes, flip, and cook for another 10 minutes or until they're crispy and golden. Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
Final Steps
Regardless of your cooking method, the final steps are the same. Once the chicken is cooked through and the cheese is melted, garnish with fresh chopped basil. Serve the chicken with hot cooked spaghetti noodles and extra marinara sauce on the side, if desired. Enjoy!
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Adding sauce and cheese
Once your chicken is golden brown, place it on a wire rack to let any excess oil drip off. Now, it's time to add your sauce and cheese.
First, spoon some marinara sauce on top of your chicken. You can also add some sauce to the bottom of the baking pan before placing the chicken on top. Be careful not to add too much sauce, as this can make your chicken soggy.
Next, it's time to add the cheese. Sprinkle a mixture of mozzarella and Parmesan cheese on top of the sauce. You can also add some grated Parmesan to your breadcrumbs, which will add extra flavour. If you like a lot of cheese, you can always add more on the side.
Finally, place your chicken in the broiler until the cheese is melted and slightly browned. Keep a close eye on it at this stage, as it's easy to burn the chicken.
Your chicken is now ready to serve. Garnish with fresh basil and serve with extra sauce on the side, if desired.
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Serving suggestions
Chicken Parmesan is a versatile dish that can be served in a variety of ways. Here are some serving suggestions to consider:
Breading and Frying:
The breading process is crucial to achieving a crispy and flavorful coating. You can use a variety of breadcrumbs such as panko, Italian, or fresh breadcrumbs, and mix them with grated Parmesan cheese and seasonings. For an extra crispy coating, consider adding more breadcrumbs than you need. You can also repeat the egg and breadcrumb steps to create a thicker breading.
Oven-Baking:
Preheat your oven to a high temperature, typically around 450 degrees F. This step is important to ensure that the cheese browns slightly and the breading becomes crisp without overcooking the chicken. You can assemble the dish in a baking dish, individual oven-safe serving dishes, or a large oven-safe platter. Spoon a layer of marinara sauce onto the dish, followed by the breaded chicken, and then add more sauce and a generous sprinkle of mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses.
Pan-Frying:
For a crispier crust, try Chef John's technique of pan-frying the chicken before baking it. Add oil to a large skillet over medium-high heat. Place the breaded chicken in the skillet and cook for about 2 minutes on each side until golden brown. Then, assemble the dish in a baking dish, adding marinara sauce, mozzarella, and Parmesan on top.
Sides and Garnishes:
Chicken Parmesan is often served with hot cooked spaghetti noodles and extra marinara sauce on the side. For a lighter option, serve it with zoodles (zucchini noodles) instead of pasta. You can also serve it inside toasted sandwich bread or rolls for a chicken Parmesan sandwich. To add more vegetables, consider roasted veggies as a side dish. Freshly squeezed lemon juice, grated Parmesan, and fresh herbs like parsley or basil can also be added as garnishes.
Cheese Combinations:
Experiment with different types of cheese to find your preferred flavor and texture. A combination of mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses is traditional, but you can also try adding Italian blend shredded cheese or grated Parmesan on top. For better meltability, cut the mozzarella into cubes and toss it with grated Parmesan. You can also spike the breadcrumb mixture with Parmesan for extra flavor.
Remember, the key to a successful Chicken Parmesan dish is finding the right balance between a crispy breading, juicy chicken, and flavorful sauce and cheese combination.
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Frequently asked questions
First, season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Then, set up three large shallow bowls in an assembly line. Put flour in the first bowl, beaten eggs in the second, and a mixture of breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, and chopped herbs in the third. Next, coat the chicken in flour, dip it in the egg mixture, and finally press it into the breadcrumb mixture.
Panko breadcrumbs are recommended for a crispier texture. However, any regular breadcrumbs will work. If you want to make the dish gluten-free, you can swap the breadcrumbs for almond flour or crushed pork rinds.
It is recommended to buy a block of parmesan cheese and grate it yourself, as freshly grated parmesan has a better flavour.
