Description
Crispy breaded chicken breasts topped with savory marinara sauce and melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. This classic Italian-American comfort food is perfect for a satisfying family dinner, featuring a combination of pan-frying for crispiness and baking for melty cheese perfection.
Ingredients
Chicken and Breading
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup Italian-seasoned breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Cooking and Topping
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil leaves, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 200°C (about 400°F) to ensure it reaches the right temperature for baking the chicken afterwards.
- Prepare Chicken: Place each chicken breast between two sheets of plastic wrap and gently pound them using a meat mallet or rolling pin until they are an even thickness. This helps them cook evenly.
- Season: Season both sides of the chicken breasts generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper to enhance flavor.
- Set Up Breading Stations: Arrange three shallow bowls; fill one with all-purpose flour, the second with beaten eggs, and the third with a mixture of Italian-seasoned breadcrumbs, 1/2 cup grated Parmesan, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning.
- Bread the Chicken: Dredge each chicken breast in flour, shaking off excess, then dip into the beaten eggs, and finally coat thoroughly with the breadcrumb mixture to create a crispy crust.
- Pan-Fry the Chicken: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Carefully place the breaded chicken breasts in the hot oil and cook for about 3 to 4 minutes on each side, until golden brown and crispy.
- Transfer to Baking Dish: Remove the browned chicken breasts from the skillet and place them in a baking dish, ready for the sauce and cheese topping.
- Add Sauce and Cheese: Spoon marinara sauce evenly over each piece of chicken. Sprinkle 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella and the remaining 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese on top.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 10 to 15 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden, and the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 74°C (165°F).
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the dish from the oven, garnish with fresh basil leaves, and let the chicken rest for a few minutes before serving to allow juices to redistribute.
Notes
- Do not make the chicken breasts too thick; thinner pieces cook more evenly and ensure crispiness.
- For an extra-crispy crust, substitute Italian-seasoned breadcrumbs with panko breadcrumbs.
- This dish pairs excellently with spaghetti, roasted vegetables, or a fresh green salad for a complete meal.
- Allow the chicken to rest briefly after baking; this helps keep it juicy when served.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Pan-Frying and Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
