Traditional Chicken Parmigiana is a classic Italian-American dish that combines crispy breaded chicken with rich marinara sauce and gooey melted cheese. It's a comforting meal that brings restaurant-quality flavors to your home kitchen with surprising ease.
Chicken breasts are the star of this dish, providing a hearty base that’s perfect for breading and frying. Flour helps the egg mixture adhere to the chicken, creating a perfect base for the breadcrumbs. Eggs act as a binder, ensuring that the breadcrumbs stick nicely. The breadcrumbs mixed with Parmesan cheese, salt, and black pepper create a flavorful, crispy coating. Olive oil is used for frying, adding a subtle depth of flavor. Marinara sauce provides a rich, tomatoey base that complements the chicken beautifully. Mozzarella cheese melts into a gooey, irresistible topping. Finally, fresh basil and dried oregano add a fresh, aromatic finish.
This Chicken Parmigiana pairs wonderfully with a side of spaghetti tossed in olive oil and garlic, a fresh green salad, or some crusty garlic bread to soak up the sauce. A glass of light red wine like Chianti or Pinot Noir complements the meal perfectly.
First, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). This ensures that your chicken will bake evenly after frying. While the oven is warming up, take your chicken breasts and pound them to about a 1/2 inch thickness with a meat mallet. This step is crucial as it ensures that the chicken cooks evenly and stays juicy.
Set up a breading station with three shallow bowls: one with flour, one with beaten eggs, and the third with a mixture of breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper. Dredge each chicken breast in the flour, making sure it’s fully coated. Dip it into the eggs, letting any excess drip off, then press it into the breadcrumb mixture, ensuring a good, even coating.
Heat your olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once shimmering, carefully lay the chicken breasts in the pan. Fry them until they are golden brown, about 3-4 minutes on each side. You’ll know they’re ready to turn when they release easily from the pan.
Transfer the browned chicken to a baking dish. Spoon marinara sauce generously over each piece, then sprinkle mozzarella cheese on top. Slide the dish into your preheated oven and bake for about 20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Once out of the oven, garnish with fresh basil and a sprinkle of dried oregano. Serve hot and enjoy the delightful blend of flavors.
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