Chicken Parmesan Recipe

Chicken breasts: Boneless, skinless pieces of chicken that are the main protein in this dish.

Italian seasoned breadcrumbs: Breadcrumbs mixed with Italian herbs and spices, used for coating the chicken.

Parmesan cheese: A hard, aged cheese that adds a sharp, nutty flavor.

Marinara sauce: A tomato-based sauce with herbs, used to top the chicken.

Mozzarella cheese: A soft, stretchy cheese that melts beautifully over the chicken.

Olive oil: Used for cooking the chicken to a golden brown.

Salt: Enhances the flavor of the chicken.

Black pepper: Adds a bit of heat and depth to the seasoning.

When preparing chicken breasts for Chicken Parmesan, ensure they are of even thickness. If needed, use a meat mallet to pound them to a uniform size. This helps in cooking the chicken evenly and prevents overcooking or undercooking. Additionally, after cooking the chicken in the skillet, let it rest for a few minutes before transferring to the baking dish. This allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in a more flavorful and moist chicken.

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

• italian seasoned breadcrumbs - Substitute with panko breadcrumbs with italian seasoning: Panko breadcrumbs provide a crispier texture, and you can add Italian seasoning to mimic the original flavor.

• grated parmesan cheese - Substitute with grated pecorino romano: Pecorino Romano has a similar salty and nutty flavor, making it a suitable replacement for Parmesan.

• marinara sauce - Substitute with tomato basil sauce: Tomato basil sauce offers a similar tomato base with a slightly different herb profile, which can still complement the dish well.

• shredded mozzarella cheese - Substitute with provolone cheese: Provolone melts well and has a mild flavor that works similarly to mozzarella in this recipe.

• olive oil - Substitute with avocado oil: Avocado oil has a high smoke point and a neutral flavor, making it a good alternative for olive oil in cooking.

• salt - Substitute with kosher salt: Kosher salt has larger grains and a purer flavor, which can be used in the same quantity as regular salt.

• black pepper - Substitute with white pepper: White pepper has a similar heat and flavor profile but is slightly milder, making it a good substitute for black pepper.

• Allow the chicken parmesan to cool completely before storing. This helps prevent condensation, which can make the dish soggy.
• Use an airtight container to store the chicken in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for up to 3-4 days.
• For longer storage, wrap each piece of chicken parmesan tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. This method can keep the dish good for up to 2-3 months.
• When ready to reheat, thaw the chicken in the refrigerator overnight if frozen.
• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the chicken parmesan in an oven-safe dish and cover with foil to prevent drying out. Heat for about 20-25 minutes or until warmed through.
• Alternatively, you can reheat individual portions in the microwave. Place the chicken 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 you notice the cheese isn't as bubbly as you'd like, you can broil the chicken parmesan for an additional 2-3 minutes after reheating to achieve that perfect, melty top.
• Always check the internal temperature of the chicken to ensure it reaches at least 165°F (74°C) before serving.

• 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 keep the chicken moist.
  4. Heat for about 15-20 minutes, or until the chicken is warmed through and the cheese is bubbly.
  5. Remove the foil for the last 5 minutes to let the cheese crisp up.

• Microwave Method

  1. Place the chicken parmesan on a microwave-safe plate.
  2. Cover with a microwave-safe lid or another plate to prevent splatters.
  3. Heat on medium power for 2-3 minutes, checking halfway through.
  4. If not heated through, continue in 30-second intervals until warm.

• 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 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 5-7 minutes, or until the chicken is hot and the cheese is bubbly and slightly crispy.

• Toaster Oven Method

  1. Preheat your toaster oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Place the chicken parmesan on a toaster oven tray.
  3. Cover with aluminum foil to retain moisture.
  4. Heat for 10-15 minutes, removing the foil for the last 5 minutes to crisp up the cheese.

• 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: Used to transfer the cooked chicken breasts and bake them with marinara sauce and cheese.

• Tongs: Useful for flipping the chicken breasts in the skillet.

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

• Spatula: Helpful for spreading the marinara sauce evenly over the chicken breasts.

• Knife: Used to season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper.

• Cutting board: Provides a surface to season the chicken breasts.

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

• Serving platter: Used to serve the hot chicken parmesan once it is ready.

• Basil: Optional garnish to add a fresh touch to the dish.

Prepare ingredients in advance: Measure and set aside breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, and mozzarella cheese before starting.

Use pre-made marinara sauce: Save time by using store-bought marinara sauce instead of making it from scratch.

Flatten chicken breasts: Pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness for quicker and more uniform cooking.

Cook in batches: If your skillet is small, cook the chicken breasts in batches to ensure even browning.

Preheat oven early: Start preheating your oven while you prepare the other ingredients to save time.