Authentic Chicken Parmesan {Family 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

• 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!

Tips For Freezing & Storing Leftovers

Keep leftovers fresh: store cooked chicken in an airtight container and refrigerate for 3-4 days. To reheat, place in a baking tray and cover with foil, bake at 350F until warm.

Freezing tips (2 ways):
Freeze chicken parm: as recipe instructs, let cool the room temperature and then store in an airtight container. Freeze for 1-2 months. When ready to serve, let thaw at room temperature, and cover in foil and bake 425F until warm.

Freeze chicken cutlets: another way to freeze is by breading the chicken cutlets and brown them in a pan. Let cool to room temperature before storing in freezer-friendly bags (air removed). Freeze for 1-2 months then thaw at room temperature and assemble in chicken parmesan when ready to bake.

Other Delicious Italian Recipes to Try

• Baked Eggplant Rollatini
• The Best Vegetable Lasagna
• San Marzano Tomato Sauce
• Sweet & Spicy Italian Sausage Lasagna
• Easy Baked Ziti