Heritage Chicken Parmesan

🕒 Prep: 15 min
🔥 Cook: 30 min
🍽 Serves: 4
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Heritage Chicken Parmesan is a comforting classic with a crispy, savory coating and gooey cheese, perfect for any family dinner. This recipe combines traditional Italian flavors with a few handy tricks to make it simple and satisfying for home cooks.

Ingredients for Heritage Chicken Parmesan

The star of the dish is, of course, the chicken breasts, which are pounded to an even thickness to ensure they cook uniformly. The all-purpose flour serves as the first layer of coating, helping the egg stick better. When it comes to the breadcrumb mixture, the breadcrumbs provide that essential crunch, while the grated Parmesan adds depth with its nutty flavor. A sprinkle of salt and black pepper seasons the chicken just right, and a hint of garlic powder gives an aromatic undertone. The marinara sauce adds a rich, tangy component that ties everything together, while mozzarella cheese ensures each bite is cheesy and satisfying. Finally, fresh basil leaves are the fresh, fragrant garnish that makes this dish sing.

Tips & Tricks

  • Use a meat mallet or rolling pin to pound the chicken—cover it with plastic wrap to avoid mess.
  • For extra flavor, toast your breadcrumbs lightly in a dry skillet before using.
  • Make sure your oil is hot enough to avoid soggy chicken—test it with a breadcrumb first.
  • Feel free to use pre-shredded mozzarella if you prefer a faster prep.

Serving Suggestions

This dish pairs beautifully with a simple side of spaghetti tossed in olive oil and garlic. A fresh, crisp green salad with a lemon vinaigrette also complements the rich flavors of the chicken parmesan. Don't forget a side of crusty bread to soak up any extra sauce!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Absolutely! Just make sure to adjust the cooking time as thighs may take a bit longer to cook through.
Is it possible to make this dish ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare and fry the chicken, then assemble and bake just before serving to keep it fresh.
What if I don’t have fresh basil on hand?
Dried basil works in a pinch, although fresh basil adds a more vibrant flavor.

Heritage Chicken Parmesan Recipe Walkthrough

First things first, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). This will ensure it’s hot and ready when you need it. Take your chicken breasts and pound them to an even thickness. This step really helps everything cook at the same rate, so don’t skip it!

Next, grab a couple of shallow bowls. In one, mix together the flour, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. In another bowl, beat the eggs until they're nice and smooth. And finally, in a third dish, combine the breadcrumbs and Parmesan.

Now for the fun part—dredging! First, coat each chicken breast in the flour mixture, ensuring it's completely covered. Shake off any excess, then dip it into the beaten eggs. Let any extra egg drip off before you press the chicken into the breadcrumb mixture. Make sure each piece is thoroughly coated for that perfect crunch.

Heat up about 1/2 cup of vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once it's hot (but not smoking), it's time to fry. Cook each chicken breast for about 3-4 minutes per side, until they're golden brown. Transfer them to a baking dish as you go, and try not to nibble on them just yet!

Spoon a generous amount of marinara sauce over each piece of chicken, then top with slices of mozzarella cheese. Pop the dish in your preheated oven and bake for about 15-20 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Once out of the oven, finish with a sprinkle of fresh basil. Serve hot and enjoy the deliciousness!

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • Perfect balance of crispy coating and juicy chicken.
  • Easy to prepare with pantry staples.
  • Rich flavors without complicated steps.
  • Melty mozzarella and fresh basil give it a gourmet touch.

Ingredients

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 large eggs
1 cup breadcrumbs
1/2 cup grated Parmesan
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
2 cups marinara sauce
8 ounces mozzarella cheese, sliced
1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
1/2 cup vegetable oil

Step-by-step Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness.
3. In a shallow bowl, mix flour, salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
4. Beat the eggs in a separate bowl.
5. Combine breadcrumbs and Parmesan in another dish.
6. Dredge each chicken breast in the flour mixture, dip in eggs, then coat with breadcrumb mixture.
7. Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
8. Fry chicken breasts until golden brown, about 3-4 minutes per side.
9. Transfer fried chicken to a baking dish.
10. Spoon marinara sauce over each piece and top with mozzarella slices.
11. Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
12. Garnish with fresh basil before serving.

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