Authentic Chicken Parmesan {Family Recipe}

Name: Authentic Chicken Parmesan (Parmigiana)
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 45 min
Ingredients: 3 chicken breasts or cutlets, sliced in half into 6 cuts ((see notes for difference)); 1/2 cup all-purpose flour ((use gf flour blend if needed)); 3 eggs, whisked; 1/3 cup olive oil; 1 1/2 cups bread crumbs ((see notes to make homemade bread crumbs)); 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, shredded; 1/2 tsp (each) salt & pepper; 2 tsp Italian herb blend ((thyme, oregano, basil, rosemary)); 1 tsp garlic powder; 6 slices Mozzarella; 1 1/2 cups marinara sauce; 1/3 cup parmesan cheese, shredded; 2 tbsp fresh basil, chopped

Updated: Jan 19th, 2021

Jump to Recipe

Learn how to make authentic chicken parmesan! Tender breaded chicken topped with hearty tomato sauce, melted cheese, and lots of herbs. This DELICIOUS Italian classic is one my family has been making for years and is to this day the best I’ve ever had!

Chicken parmigiana is an American-Italian dish that consists of tender breaded chicken covered in marinara with melted mozzarella & parmesan cheese! Even though this dish is served in a lot of Italian restaurants, it actually did not originate in Italy, but was created by Italian immigrants here in America! (source)

Growing up, I knew one thing to be true. That my mom made the best chicken parm around! No restaurant or other recipe has ever compared.

This recipe has been served for all of our family birthday dinners and special occasions!

You’ll find every bite filled with fall-apart tender chicken, Italian herbs, and rich homemade tomato sauce. And let’s not forget the browned cheesiness on top!

How to Make Authentic Chicken Parmesan (Parmigiana) – Step by Step

(1) Place chicken cutlets/breasts in a ziplock bag, and firmly pound with a rolling pin or smooth side of a meat hammer – chicken thickness should be 1/2 inch.)

(2) Dip chicken cutlets in flour on both sides.

(3) Then, transfer floured chicken and dip in egg on both sides.

(4) Last, dip both sides of chicken in bread crumbs. Evenly coat and pack breadcrumbs lightly with your hand

Make it Crispy

(5) In a cast-iron skillet or heavy pan, heat olive oil on medium heat. Lay breaded chicken in oiled pan and brown chicken for 2-3 minutes on each side.

(6) Place browned chicken cutlets in a baking pan or dish (9×13), layer with mozzarella then tomato sauce. Bake for 13-15 minutes – then sprinkle with shredded parmesan and mozzarella and broil on HIGH for 1 additional minute – cheese will be bubbling and browned.

Our Favorite Ways to Serve It

Pasta – Spaghetti, rigatoni, penne, or any of your favorite gluten free pasta.
Roasted assorted vegetables
Zucchini noodles or vegetable noodles as a healthier replacement for pasta.

How to Make it Low Carb

To make this recipe a little healthier and without breading use 1 1/2 cups of parmesan cheese mixed with the herbs, garlic powder, and salt & pepper. Dip chicken into egg, then parmesan cheese mixture, and then bake accordingly. The result will be so cheesy and delicious!

Make Italian Breadcrumbs

This isn’t required but recommend to elevate your recipe even more. Homemade Italian breadcrumbs take only a few minutes and make a world of difference for this dish!

How to make Italian breadcrumbs: Toast 5-7 slices of your choice of bread – whole wheat, Ezekiel bread, or gluten free. Blend toast in a food processor or high powered blender with 1 tsp garlic power, 2 tsp Italian herbs, and 1/2 tsp salt. SO easy and absolutely delicious!

Extra Helpful Recipes Tips

Tip

choosing the right baking vessel

Our Favorite Stainless Steel Pans

Growing up, my mom ALWAYS used her stainless steel hotel pans for Italian recipes – especially chicken parmesan. We recommend using them over glass baking dishes because of how well they heat up and help perfectly cook the chicken! They've been a staple in our kitchen for years.

Buy Now

Chicken breast vs chicken cutlets: For chicken parmesan you can use either chicken breast or chicken cutlets. The difference? A chicken breast is the whole thing; a chicken cutlet is a slice of meat cut from a chicken breast. It is generally thinner than the whole breast.
Make our homemade sauce: What makes this Authentic Italian Chicken Parmigiana delicious is using my family’s famous San Marzano Tomato Sauce. This sauce we simmer for several hours to perfection to get a thick, rich, and flavorful tomato sauce. You can also use your favorite sauce for this recipe. (Video below)
The best pot for browning chicken: Use a cast iron skillet for browning chicken. This heavy duty pan gets hot quick and helps brown the breading perfectly for this recipe. You can also use stainless steel if you don’t have cast iron on hand.
What to use instead of breadcrumbs: If you do not have breadcrumbs, you can either make your own (see notes below) or grind up old-fashion oats, crushed regular corn flakes, or cracker crumbs.
Best baking vessel: my mom always recommends using a stainless steal pan for baking chicken – especially chicken parm. It will heat up fast, stay hot, and keep the chicken crispy – not soggy!

Other Delicious Italian Recipes to Try

If you tried this Authentic Chicken Parmesan (Parmigiana) recipe or any other recipe, don’t forget to rate the recipe and let me know what you think. I love hearing from you! You can also follow me on PINTEREST, INSTAGRAM, and FACEBOOK for more crave-worthy content.

Authentic Chicken Parmesan (Parmigiana)

5 from 21 votes

Rate

Crispy baked chicken with hearty tomato sauce, melted cheese, and herbs. A famous family recipe that is the BEST chicken parmesan I've had – A must-try recipe that makes plenty of leftovers!

Servings 6

Prep Time: 30 mins

Cook Time: 15 mins

Total Time: 45 mins

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American, Italian

Tags: authentic chicken parmesan, chicken parmigiana, easy chicken dinner

Freezer Friendly: Yes

Calories: 454 kcal

Author: Bethany Kramer

Ingredients

For the Chicken

3 chicken breasts or cutlets, sliced in half into 6 cuts (see notes for difference)
1/2 cup all-purpose flour (use gf flour blend if needed)
3 eggs, whisked
1/3 cup olive oil

Breadcrumbs

1 1/2 cups bread crumbs (see notes to make homemade bread crumbs)
1/2 cup parmesan cheese, shredded
1/2 tsp (each) salt & pepper
2 tsp Italian herb blend (thyme, oregano, basil, rosemary)
1 tsp garlic powder

For the Topping

6 slices Mozzarella
1 1/2 cups marinara sauce
1/3 cup parmesan cheese, shredded
2 tbsp fresh basil, chopped

Instructions

Preheat oven to 425F
Tenderize chicken: place chicken cutlets/breasts in a ziplock bag, and firmly pound with a rolling pin or smooth side of a meat hammer (chicken thickness should be 1/2 inch).
Breadcrumbs: In a shallow dish, mix all of breadcrumb ingredients together. Set up an assembly line of bowls with flour, whisked eggs, and breadcrumbs.
Assembly line: Set up a line of shallow bowls/dishes with flour, whisked eggs, and breadcrumbs.
Bread the chicken: First, coat chicken in flour on both sides. Then, transfer to whisked eggs, dip both sides. Last, lay both sides of chicken in bread crumbs. Evenly coat and pack breadcrumbs lightly with your hand.
Brown the chicken: Heat 3 tablespoons of oil at a time in a cast iron skillet or pan on LOW to MEDIUM heat. Brown chicken for 2 minutes on both sides.
Layer and bake: arrange browned chicken in a large baking dish or pan. Layer first with mozzarella slices then tomato sauce over top. Bake uncovered in oven for 14 minutes – remove from oven then sprinkle with shredded parmesan cheese. Place pan back in oven and broil on HIGH for 1 minute until cheese is melted and browned. Sprinkle with fresh basil and serve with your favorite pasta!

Did you make this recipe? Share your photos and tag @asimplepalate #asimplepalate.