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Perfect Chicken Parmesan

ByMelissa Jo Posted on Updated on
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A hand lifts a cheesy, breaded chicken cutlet covered in marinara sauce and melted mozzarella from a cast iron skillet, with gooey cheese stretching between the skillet and the cutlet. The kitchen is visible in the background.

Chicken Parmesan is the meal in my house everybody fights over. It is one of those recipes that is simple to make but, It literally tastes like you stepped your foot into the most expensive Italian restaurant you’ve ever visited and ordered Chicken Parmesan. It all starts with crispy chicken cutlets. In fact, This is almost a two for one recipe. Whenever you make your chicken cutlets day 1 you always have to batch it because you’re going to need themDay 2 for this Chicken Parmesan recipe, as well. It all happens in a skillet It all happens quick but I promise you, you will not have leftovers. But honey you better be ready for the absolute best Perfect Chicken Parmesan recipe ever.

You have to use my Perfect Chicken Cutlets for this recipe because it just makes it absolutely delicious. If you want to go a step further, use my Homemade sauce or my Marinara Sauce for this recipe as well!

A cutting board holds plates of fresh basil leaves, sliced mozzarella, grated cheese, and a small bowl of sliced garlic, with a cheese grater and a wedge of cheese nearby.
Chopped garlic sizzling in oil inside a black cast iron skillet.

How to make a jar of store-bought sauce taste homemade: If you decide to use a jar of marinara sauce instead of a homemade marinara sauce, start with olive oil in the pan and saute up some fresh garlic. Then, add the jar of sauce. Throw in a few basil leaves and the jar of sauce will taste homemade.

A close-up of a pot filled with simmering tomato sauce, with visible pieces of garlic and a few basil leaves floating on top. The sauce appears rich and slightly oily, bubbling as it cooks.
Three breaded and fried chicken cutlets are cooking in a black skillet, partially covering a layer of tomato sauce underneath. The cutlets are golden brown and crispy around the edges.
Three breaded and fried chicken cutlets topped with marinara sauce and fresh basil leaves are shown in a pan, ready to serve.
Breaded and fried chicken cutlets topped with tomato sauce and fresh basil leaves, arranged in a black cast iron skillet.
Breaded chicken cutlets in a cast iron pan topped with tomato sauce, fresh basil leaves, and shredded mozzarella cheese, ready to be baked or finished cooking for chicken parmesan.
A close-up of chicken parmesan in a pan, topped with tomato sauce, melted mozzarella, grated parmesan cheese, and fresh basil leaves.
Breaded chicken cutlets topped with tomato sauce, shredded cheese, herbs, and three slices of fresh mozzarella, all in a pan, beginning to melt together for chicken parmesan.
Breaded chicken cutlets topped with tomato sauce, shredded cheese, mozzarella slices, and dollops of ricotta cheese in a black cast iron pan, ready to be baked for chicken parmesan.
A close-up of chicken parmesan in a skillet, topped with tomato sauce, melted cheese, fresh mozzarella, chopped parsley, and grated parmesan. The dish has a crispy, golden-brown crust and is garnished with herbs.
Close-up of chicken parmesan in a skillet, topped with melted mozzarella cheese, tomato sauce, and sprinkled with fresh parsley. The edges of the cheese and sauce are golden and slightly crispy.
A smiling woman in a black top and oven mitts stands in a bright kitchen, holding a skillet with baked eggs in tomato sauce, garnished with herbs. A bouquet of colorful flowers is on the counter beside her.
A hand lifts a slice of cheesy, baked chicken parmesan from a skillet, showing melted cheese stretching with rich tomato sauce and herbs on top. A white kitchen is visible in the background.
A breaded chicken cutlet topped with melted mozzarella cheese and tomato sauce is being lifted from a plate, revealing a layer of fresh spinach and ricotta cheese underneath.

🤔 Common Questions

Can I make Chicken Parmesan ahead of time?

Yes. Assemble everything up to a day ahead and refrigerate. Bake just before serving.

What sauce works best?

My homemade red sauce and my quicker but equally delish marinara sauce are my favorite, but a good-quality store-bought marinara works great too.

Melissa’s Tips

  • Start with fully cooked crispy chicken cutlets.
  • Freshly grated mozzarella melts much better than pre-shredded cheese.
  • Use fresh mozzarella for those classic cheesy pulls.
  • Don’t overload the cutlets with sauce or they’ll lose some of their crispiness.
  • Watch carefully when broiling.
  • Fresh basil makes all the difference here.
A hand lifts a slice of cheesy, baked chicken parmesan from a skillet, showing melted cheese stretching with rich tomato sauce and herbs on top. A white kitchen is visible in the background.

Perfect Chicken Parmesan

Crispy chicken cutlets are topped with red sauce, fresh mozzarella, Pecorino Romano, basil, and creamy ricotta, then baked until bubbly and golden. This easy Chicken Parmesan is a family favorite that's perfect for weeknights, holidays, and special occasions.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Servings 4 people

Equipment

Ingredients
  

Instructions
 

Step 1: Preheat the Oven

  • Preheat your oven to 375°F.

Step 2: Warm the Sauce

  • In a large oven-safe skillet or baking dish, add your red sauce over medium-high heat until warmed through.
  • if you are using a jar of sauce start by sautéing the minced garlic, salt, and pepper in a few tbsp of extra virgin olive oil until slightly golden and fragrant. Add the jar of sauce and bring to a boil, then lower to a simmer until fully warmed. Add a few basil leaves to really make it taste homemade.

Step 3: Assemble the Chicken Parmesan

  • In a large skillet add about 1/2 cups of the warmed sauce into the bottom of the skillet. Place the prepared chicken cutlets directly on top of the sauce.
  • Ladle a little sauce over each cutlet.
  • Top each cutlet with:
  • 1 basil leaf
  • A little more sauce
  • Freshly grated mozzarella cheese
  • Freshly grated Pecorino Romano cheese
  • One slice fresh mozzarella
  • Salt and pepper
  • A small dollop of ricotta cheese
  • Finish with chopped fresh parsley.

Step 4: Bake

  • Transfer to the oven and bake for 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Step 5: Broil

  • For an extra golden cheesy top, broil for 1 to 2 minutes.
  • Keep a very close eye on it because it can go from perfectly browned to burnt very quickly.

Step 6: Serve

  • Serve immediately with extra Pecorino Romano, fresh basil, crusty bread, pasta, or a simple salad.
Keyword Perfect Chicken Parmesan
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🗒 More Delicious Recipes

👝 How to Store Leftovers

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Reheat in a 350°F oven until warmed through for the best texture.


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