Easy Chicken Parm

This Easy Chicken Parm recipe is a classic Italian-American dish reimagined for a quick and delicious weeknight dinner. Tender chicken breasts are coated in crispy breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese, then topped with marinara sauce and melted mozzarella cheese, all in under an hour!

Ingredients

• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 4 cutlets
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 cup breadcrumbs (Panko or regular)
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 cups marinara sauce
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Fresh basil leaves, chopped (optional)

Instructions

Season the chicken cutlets with paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Dip each seasoned chicken cutlet into the flour, coating both sides evenly, then into the breadcrumbs, pressing gently to adhere.

Place the coated chicken on a plate or tray.

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 2 chicken cutlets to the skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes on each side, until golden brown and cooked through.

Repeat with the remaining 2 chicken cutlets.

While the chicken is cooking, preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Transfer the cooked chicken cutlets to a baking dish and spoon a quarter cup of marinara sauce over each cutlet.

Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top of each cutlet.

Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Serve hot, garnished with chopped fresh basil leaves if desired.

Notes

For this Easy Chicken Parm recipe, make sure to pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness before cutting them into cutlets, so they cook evenly. Use a shallow dish for the flour, eggs, and breadcrumbs to prevent a mess and make the breading process easier.

For a crisper breading, pat the chicken cutlets dry with paper towels before coating them with flour and breadcrumbs.

You can use homemade marinara sauce or store-bought, whichever you prefer. If you’re using fresh breadcrumbs, try to use them within a day or two for the best results.

Use high-quality Parmesan cheese for the best flavor.

You can also sprinkle some on top of the mozzarella for extra flavor. Don’t overload the chicken with marinara sauce, as it can make the breading soggy.

You can serve this with pasta, garlic knots, or a green salad for a well-rounded meal.

Nutrional Value

• Calories: 540
• Total Fat: 24g
• Saturated Fat: 8g
• Cholesterol: 80mg
• Sodium: 750mg
• Total Carbohydrates: 36g
• Dietary Fiber: 2g
• Sugars: 6g
• Protein: 43g