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, umami flavor to the dish.

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

Mozzarella cheese: Shredded cheese that melts beautifully over the chicken, adding a creamy texture.

Olive oil: Used for cooking the chicken, it adds a subtle flavor and helps achieve a golden brown crust.

Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the dish.

Black pepper: Adds a mild heat and depth of flavor to the chicken.

When preparing chicken breasts for Chicken Parmesan, consider using a meat mallet to pound them to an even thickness. This ensures that the chicken cooks evenly and remains juicy. Additionally, after coating the chicken with breadcrumbs and parmesan cheese, let it rest for a few minutes before cooking. This helps the coating adhere better, resulting in a crispier texture.

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

• italian seasoned breadcrumbs - Substitute with panko breadcrumbs mixed with italian seasoning: Panko breadcrumbs provide a similar crunch, and adding Italian seasoning will mimic the original flavor.

• grated parmesan cheese - Substitute with grated pecorino romano: Pecorino Romano has a similar salty and nutty flavor, making it a good substitute.

• marinara sauce - Substitute with tomato basil sauce: Tomato basil sauce offers a similar tomato base with a hint of basil, providing a comparable flavor.

• shredded mozzarella cheese - Substitute with shredded provolone cheese: Provolone melts well and has a mild flavor that works well in place of mozzarella.

• olive oil - Substitute with canola oil: Canola oil has a neutral flavor and similar cooking properties, making it a suitable alternative.

• salt - Substitute with kosher salt: Kosher salt has a similar taste but a different texture, which can be adjusted for in measurements.

• black pepper - Substitute with white pepper: White pepper provides a similar heat and flavor but with a slightly different appearance.

• Allow the chicken parmesan to cool completely before storing. This prevents condensation, which can make the dish soggy.

• For short-term storage, place the chicken parmesan in an airtight container. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.

• If you plan to freeze the chicken parmesan, wrap each piece individually in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. This helps to prevent freezer burn and keeps the portions manageable.

• Place the wrapped chicken parmesan pieces in a freezer-safe bag or container. Label with the date to keep track of freshness. The dish can be frozen for up to 2-3 months.

• When ready to reheat, thaw the chicken parmesan in the refrigerator overnight. This ensures even reheating and maintains the texture.

• To reheat, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the chicken parmesan in a baking dish and cover with foil to prevent drying out. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until heated through.

• For a quicker option, you can reheat the chicken parmesan in the microwave. Place it on a microwave-safe plate, cover with a microwave-safe lid or another plate, and heat on medium power for 2-3 minutes, checking halfway through.

• If the chicken parmesan seems dry after reheating, add a little extra marinara sauce before serving to restore moisture and flavor.

• Serve the reheated chicken parmesan with freshly cooked pasta or a crisp side salad to complete the meal.

• 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 bubbly.

• Microwave Method:

  1. Place the chicken parmesan on a microwave-safe plate.
  2. Cover with a microwave-safe lid or another plate to keep moisture in.
  3. Heat on medium power for 2-3 minutes, checking halfway through to ensure even heating.
  4. If not fully heated, continue in 30-second intervals until hot.

• Stovetop Method:

  1. Heat a skillet over medium-low heat.
  2. Add a small amount of olive oil to the skillet.
  3. Place the chicken parmesan in the skillet and cover with a lid.
  4. 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 hot and the cheese is bubbly.

• Toaster Oven Method:

  1. Preheat the toaster oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Place the chicken parmesan on a toaster oven tray.
  3. Cover with aluminum foil to keep it moist.
  4. Heat for about 15-20 minutes, or until the chicken is thoroughly heated and the cheese is melted.

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

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

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

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

• Measuring cups: Used to measure out the breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, and marinara sauce.

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

• Grater: Used to grate the parmesan cheese if it is not pre-grated.

• Spatula: Useful for transferring the chicken breasts from the skillet to the baking dish.

• Knife: Used to trim any excess fat or uneven parts from the chicken breasts.

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

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

• Oven mitts: Essential for safely handling the hot baking dish when removing it from the oven.

Use pre-cooked chicken: Save time by using pre-cooked chicken breasts from the store. Just heat them in the skillet for a few minutes.

Buy pre-shredded cheese: Opt for pre-shredded mozzarella and grated parmesan to cut down on prep time.

Ready-made marinara: Use store-bought marinara sauce to avoid making it from scratch.

Skip the skillet: Bake the chicken breasts directly in the oven with a drizzle of olive oil to save time on stovetop cooking.

One-pan method: Combine all ingredients in a single baking dish to minimize cleanup.