Restaurant-Style Cheesy Chicken Parmesan At Home

Delight in the crispy, cheesy goodness of Cheesy Chicken Parmesan, baked to golden perfection for an Italian dinner favorite.
Cheesy Chicken Parmesan Recipe
The Cheesy Chicken Parmesan recipe transforms a classic Italian dish into an easy-to-follow culinary adventure, ensuring a perfect golden crust and a molten cheese layer every time. Baked to achieve the right balance between a crunchy exterior and a moist, tender interior, this dish seduces with its harmony of flavors, all crowned with a hearty marinara sauce.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 2 large boneless skinless chicken breasts
- Salt/Pepper
- ¼ cup vegetable oil, or as needed
Flour Mixture
- ½ cup flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons seasoned salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
Eggs
- 2 eggs, beaten until frothy
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
Breading
- 1 ½ cups panko breadcrumbs
- 1/3 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
Cheese & Topping
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 1 ½ cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
- Fresh Parsley, to garnish
Step-by-Step Recipe
Preheat Oven
- Preheat oven to 425°F.
Prepare Mixtures
- Combine the flour, egg, and breading mixtures in 3 separate shallow pans.
- Tip: Beat the eggs until very frothy to ensure they are light and airy.
Prepare the Chicken
- Slice the chicken in half lengthwise to create 2-3 thinner slices.
- Cover the chicken slices with plastic wrap and use the textured side of a meat mallet to pound them to ½ inch thick. (Thin is key here.)
- Pat the chicken dry.
- Sprinkle each side lightly with salt and pepper.
Dredging Process
- Dredge the chicken completely in the flour mixture, making sure to work the flour into every nook and cranny. Tap off excess flour.
- Dip the chicken in the egg mixture until just coated, and use your fingers to slide off excess egg. (Too much egg left on the chicken can bleed through the breading.)
- Coat the chicken generously in the breadcrumbs.
Frying the Chicken
- Heat oil over medium-high heat.
- Once the oil is glistening, add the first batch of chicken without overcrowding the skillet.
- Brown the chicken on each side for 3-4 minutes, until golden. Adjust the heat as needed to prevent burning.
- Remove the chicken with a slotted spatula and set it on a wire cooling rack.
- Repeat the frying process with the remaining chicken.
Baking the Chicken
- Transfer the chicken to a large, light-colored baking sheet. (Dark baking sheets attract more heat and can cook the chicken too quickly.)
- Top the chicken with marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese.
- Bake uncovered for 12 minutes.
Final Touch
- If desired, broil at 425°F for 1-2 minutes to brown the top a little more. Watch it closely during this time.
- Garnish with fresh parsley.
- Serve with spaghetti and garlic bread with cheese.
- Ensure the internal temperature of the chicken is 165°F before serving.
Enjoy your delicious Chicken Vegetable Soup!
Serving Suggestions
- Garlic Bread with Cheese
- Pink Sauce Pasta
Tips and Tricks
- Beat the eggs until super frothy for a light and airy coating. Slide the excess egg off gently with your fingers for the perfect breadcrumb adherence.
- Ensure the oil is hot before frying to keep the breading intact and to prevent sogginess.
- Bread 1-2 pieces at a time for maximum crispiness, and adjust the heat as necessary during frying.