What is Parmesan Chicken?
Parmesan Chicken or Chicken Parmigiana is a dish that was originated from Italy and brought to the United States by Italian Immigrants where it became a popular staple in restaurants serving Italian-American cuisine.
In some Italian restaurants, they may also have similar versions such as veal parmesan or eggplant parmesan. Parmesan Chicken is usually thin slices of chicken breasts breaded and fried then topped with marinara Sauce, mozzarella cheese, fresh basil, parmesan cheese and served over spaghetti.
Ingredients for Baked Parmesan Chicken
- Chicken Breasts – Cut in 2 to create thinner slices.
- Butter – to brush on breasts before dipping in breadcrumbs.
- Seasoned Breadcrumbs – combined with Panko for dipping.
- Panko Breadcrumbs – combined with seasoned breadcrumbs for dipping.
- Grated Parmesan Cheese – combined with breadcrumbs for dipping.
- Spaghetti – cooked and eaten with the chicken parmesan.
- Salt – For the spaghetti
- Spaghetti Sauce – for the chicken parmesan
- Oregano – For spaghetti sauce
- Sugar – For spaghetti sauce
- Mozzarella Cheese – (not pictured) to top chicken and melt
- Fresh Chopped Basil – (not pictured) for garnishing.
Preparation Steps for Baked ParmeseanChicken
*This post may contain affiliate links. I will receive a commission for any purchases you make through my link but this will not be at any additional charge to you. Read my disclaimer here.
- Cut chicken breasts in halves and dry with a paper towel.
- Preheat oven, spray baking tray with non-stick cooking spray.
- Combine breadcrumbs and Parmesan Cheese on a plate.
- Melt butter. Using a pastry brush, brush breasts with butter on both sides.
- Dip breasts in breadcrumbs on both sides and cover generously.
- Lay breasts on baking tray 2″ apart. spray tops with cooking spray and bake for indicated time.
- Remove from oven, turn each breast, spoon some spaghetti sauce on each breast and sprinkle with mozzarella cheese.
- Place back in oven to bake 5 minutes or until cheese is melted.
- While chicken is cooking, cook spaghetti according to package directions.
- Chop basil and set aside for garnishing when serving.
- May also place some sauce on spaghetti and sprinkle parmesan cheese over meal
If you are an Italian lover like me, this meal is very satisfying. However, I decided to make it a bit healthier by baking the chicken vs. frying, which turns out just as good in my opinion. If frying, a good non-stick skillet will be recommended, and if baking, use a large non-stick sheet pan as well.
Baked Chicken Parmesan
Ingredients
- 4 Chicken Breast (deboned) sliced in 2 to make 8
- 1/4 cup Seasoned Breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup Panko Breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese
- 2 Tbsp. Butter (melted) or olive oil
- 3/4 cup Mozzarella Cheese
- 1 cup Marinara or Spaghetti Sauce
- Cooking Spray
- Fresh Chopped Basil optional
- 1 lb. Spaghetti
Instructions
-
Pre-heat oven to 450 degrees. Spray a large baking sheet lightly with spray.
-
Cut Chicken breasts in 2 and pat dry.
-
Combine breadcrumbs and parmesan cheese in a bowl. Melt the butter in a seperate bowl.
-
Lightly brush the butter onto the chicken pieces on both sides. Then dip and coat well on both sides. Place on baking sheet 1" apart until pan is filled. Lightly spray the tops or sprinkle with olive oil and bake for 20 minutes.
-
Remove from oven, turn chicken and bake another 5 minutes. Remove from oven and use about 1 Tbsp. or more of marinara sauce on the chicken and top with mozzarella cheese.
-
Bake 5 more minutes or until cheese melted.
-
Prepare spaghetti according to package directions *al diente. After draining, I toss my pasta in a little butter or olive oil so it dosen't stick together.
-
Serve Parmesan chicken over spaghetti with more sauce as desired, grated parmesan cheese, and fresh basil.
Recipe Notes
* Serves with Spaghetti or pasta of choice, grated parmesan cheese, and fresh chopped basil.