The Ultimate Cheat Sheet for Making Perfect Chicken Parmesan

The Ultimate Cheat Sheet for Making Perfect Chicken Parmesan

 Hey there! Have you ever craved classic chicken parmesan but felt intimidated to make it yourself? Don't worry, we've got you covered. This cheat sheet will give you all the tips and tricks to whip up a perfect batch of chicken parm in no time. You'll be enjoying a piping hot plate of crispy breaded chicken smothered in tomato sauce and gooey melted cheese before you know it. Grab your skillet, fire up the oven, and get ready to make everyone's favorite Italian comfort food right in your own kitchen. With just a few simple ingredients and steps, you'll be an expert chicken parm chef by the end of this recipe.

Chicken Parmesan Ingredients: What You'll Need

To make perfect chicken parm, you'll need a few simple ingredients:

Chicken breast

• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves (about 1 1/2 pounds total)
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

Sauce

• 1 (24 ounce) jar marinara sauce
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil (optional)

Cheese

• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Other

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley (optional garnish)

Spaghetti (optional side)

• 1 (16 ounce) package spaghetti

To get started, pound the chicken to an even thickness, about 1/2 inch. Mix the flour, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper on a plate or shallow dish. Coat the chicken in the flour mixture, shaking off any excess.

Heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the chicken until browned, about 5 to 7 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate and set aside.

Add the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil to the skillet. Pour in the marinara sauce and bring to a simmer. Return the chicken to the skillet. Top with mozzarella cheese and cover with a lid. Simmer until the chicken is cooked through and the cheese is melted, about 5 minutes more.

Uncover, top with Parmesan cheese and basil (if using). Cover and let stand until the Parmesan softens, about 2 minutes. Garnish with parsley (if desired) and serve over spaghetti (if desired). Buon appetito!

Preparing the Chicken for Chicken Parmesan

To get your chicken parm just right, you need to start with the chicken.###

First, grab a pound of boneless, skinless chicken breasts. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels, then pound each breast to an even thickness, usually between 1/4 and 1/2 inch thick. Pound the thickest part of the breast first, then flip and pound the other side. Use a meat mallet or rolling pin to gently pound the chicken.

Next, set up a breading station with three shallow dishes:

1. All-purpose flour or flour, cornmeal, thyme, oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. Mix well.
2. Beaten eggs - 2-3 eggs whisked in a bowl.
3. Bread crumbs - 1 cup Italian-style bread crumbs, 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, and salt. Mix thoroughly.

Dredge each chicken breast in the flour to coat, then dip in the egg, letting excess drip off. Finally, coat both sides of the chicken breast in the bread crumb mixture, pressing to adhere.

Set the breaded chicken breasts on a wire rack over a foil-lined baking sheet. Let sit for 10-15 minutes so the coating can dry out a bit. This helps it get nicely crispy when cooking.

When ready to cook, heat 1/2 inch of vegetable or canola oil in a large skillet (cast iron works great!) over medium-high heat. Fry the chicken breasts until golden brown, about 3-4 minutes per side. Drain on paper towels.

Your perfectly breaded chicken is ready for the final steps - topping with sauce and cheese and baking! Follow the remaining recipe instructions and in no time, you'll be enjoying your very own homemade chicken parmesan. Buon appetito!

Making the Perfect Tomato Sauce

To make the perfect tomato sauce for your chicken parm, follow these steps:

Gather the Ingredients

You’ll need:

• 2 (28 ounce) cans crushed tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 onion, diced
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons sugar (optional)

Heat the Olive Oil

Heat the olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the garlic and onion and sauté until the onion is translucent, about 5 minutes.

Add Herbs and Spices

Add the basil, oregano, crushed red pepper, salt, and pepper. Cook for 30 seconds while stirring frequently.

Add the Tomatoes

Add the crushed tomatoes, bring to a simmer and then reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer for at least 10 minutes to allow the flavors to blend and intensify.

Add Sugar (Optional)

Taste the sauce and add sugar, 1/2 tablespoon at a time, if needed to balance the acidity. For a tangier sauce, omit the sugar. Simmer for a few minutes more.

Use an Immersion Blender (Optional)

If you want an even smoother sauce, use an immersion blender to puree the sauce. This step is optional but will provide a richer, creamier texture.

Your perfect tomato sauce is ready to serve over chicken parmesan, pasta, or your favorite Italian dish! The sauce can be made up to 1 week ahead—simply reheat before serving. Buon appetito!

Bread and Fry the Chicken Cutlets

Now for the fun part—breading and frying your chicken cutlets! This step will transform your cutlets into crispy, golden brown chicken parm perfection.

Gather Your Supplies

You’ll need:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 beaten eggs
• 1 1⁄2 cups Italian style breadcrumbs
• 1⁄2 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1⁄2 cup vegetable or canola oil

Set Up Your Breadcrumb Station

In three separate shallow dishes, place:

The flour

The beaten eggs

The breadcrumbs, parmesan, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Mix well.

Bread the Cutlets

1. Dredge both sides of a chicken cutlet in the flour and shake off any excess.
2. Dip the floured cutlet in the beaten egg, coating both sides evenly. Let any excess egg drip off.
3. Place the cutlet in the breadcrumb mixture and press down firmly so the crumbs adhere to both sides.
4. Flip and coat the other side, pressing down again.
5. Set the breaded cutlet on a platter and repeat with the remaining cutlets.

Fry the Cutlets

1. Heat 1⁄4 inch of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Add half the cutlets to the skillet, spacing them evenly apart. Fry until the bottoms are deep golden brown, about 3 to 4 minutes.
3. Carefully flip the cutlets and fry the other side until the breading is golden brown, another 2 to 3 minutes.
4. Transfer the fried cutlets to a paper towel-lined platter. Repeat with the remaining cutlets.
5. You can keep the fried cutlets warm in a 200 F oven for up to 30 minutes before serving. Enjoy!

Assemble and Bake Your Chicken Parmesan

Once your chicken cutlets are breaded, it’s time to assemble and bake your chicken Parmesan.

Layer the ingredients

Arrange the breaded chicken cutlets in a single layer in a baking dish. Top each cutlet with a spoonful of marinara sauce and a slice of mozzarella cheese. For extra gooey cheese, use provolone or Italian blend in addition to mozzarella.

Add seasoning

Sprinkle the cutlets with your favorite Italian herbs like oregano, basil, rosemary, or parsley. You can also add crushed red pepper flakes for some heat or garlic powder for extra flavor. Grated parmesan or romano cheese also adds a nice savory, salty kick.

Bake until bubbly

Bake the chicken Parmesan in a preheated 400 F oven for about 15-20 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through and the cheese is melted and bubbling. The baking time will depend on the thickness of your chicken cutlets.

Optional toppings

Once baked, you can top your chicken Parmesan with extra marinara sauce, parmesan cheese, fresh basil, parsley, or chili oil. Serve the cheesy, saucy cutlets with a side of spaghetti, zucchini noodles or garlic bread to soak up the flavorful sauce.

Buon appetito! Your perfect chicken Parmesan is ready to enjoy. The crispy breaded chicken combined with melted cheese and tangy marinara sauce is truly a comforting classic of Italian-American cuisine. This dish is always a crowd-pleaser and sure to become a staple recipe in your weekly meal rotation.

Conclusion

So there you have it, everything you need to make the perfect chicken parm in your own kitchen. Follow this recipe and your taste buds will be transported straight to Italy with every delicious bite. The key is using high quality ingredients and not cutting any corners. Treat yourself to an amazing meal and impress your family or friends. Once you master the basics, you can start experimenting by adding your own spin to the recipe. But for now, just enjoy this classic dish in all its simple glory. Buon appetito! Now if you'll excuse me, all this talk of chicken parm has made me hungry. I think I know what I'm making for dinner tonight!