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Crispy Chicken Parmesan

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A quick and easy recipe for crispy chicken breasts coated with a Parmesan breadcrumb crust, topped with melty mozzarella and fresh basil, baked to perfection with marinara sauce.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 6 oz / 170g each), pounded to even thickness
  • Salt and black pepper, to season
  • ½ cup (60g) all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour as substitute)
  • 2 large eggs, beaten, room temperature
  • 1 cup (90g) Italian seasoned breadcrumbs
  • ½ cup (50g) grated Parmesan cheese
  • ¼ cup (60ml) olive oil or vegetable oil for frying
  • 1½ cups (360ml) marinara sauce, homemade or store-bought
  • 1 cup (100g) shredded or sliced fresh mozzarella cheese
  • A handful of fresh basil leaves, roughly torn or sliced
  • Optional: red pepper flakes, garlic powder, lemon juice

Instructions

  1. Place each chicken breast between two sheets of plastic wrap or in a large zip-top bag. Pound the chicken evenly to about ½ inch (1.3 cm) thickness using a meat mallet or rolling pin. Season both sides generously with salt and black pepper.
  2. Set up three shallow bowls: place flour in the first, beaten eggs in the second, and mix Italian seasoned breadcrumbs with grated Parmesan in the third.
  3. Dredge each chicken breast in flour, shaking off excess, then dip into beaten eggs, and coat thoroughly with breadcrumb-Parmesan mixture. Press gently to ensure coating sticks well.
  4. Heat ¼ cup (60ml) oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Fry the breaded chicken breasts for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and crispy. Cook in batches if needed to avoid crowding.
  5. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Spread a thin layer of marinara sauce in a 9×13-inch baking dish. Place fried chicken breasts on top, spoon more marinara over each piece, and cover with mozzarella cheese.
  6. Bake uncovered for 15-20 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
  7. Remove from oven and sprinkle torn fresh basil leaves over the hot chicken. Serve hot with preferred sides.

Notes

Pat chicken dry before breading to help coating stick. Fry at medium heat to avoid burning crust. Baking uncovered keeps crust crispy. Fresh basil adds bright finish. For gluten-free, use gluten-free flour and breadcrumbs; for dairy-free, use vegan cheese and dairy-free marinara. Reheat leftovers in oven to maintain crispiness.

Nutrition

Keywords: crispy chicken parmesan, chicken parmesan recipe, easy chicken parmesan, melty cheese chicken, Italian comfort food

Find it online: https://lucydishes.com/crispy-chicken-parmesan-recipe-easy-5-step-melty-cheese-perfection/