Classic Chicken Parmesan

After a long, stressful day, a comforting meal is what I yearn for most. Classic Chicken Parmesan is one of those dishes that I go back to time and time again and never disappoints. Warm pasta topped with crispy, juicy chicken and covered in a soothing tomato sauce, all ready in 30 minutes. You don’t want to miss this one!

This post is part of our Basic Cooking Skills series. Each week we will be doing a deep-dive into one basic cooking skill and a brand new recipe to accompany it to practice that newfound skill. Check back throughout the series for updates and new posts.

Please note this post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase using the links. Please see my disclosure for more details.

Comforting Italian Dishes

I have a soft spot in my heart when it comes to Italian food.

From chicken marsala to italian sausage gnocchi, I can always depend on an Italian meal to provide me with warmth and comfort.

I love mixing up different kinds of protein in various homemade sauces, like a cheesy cream sauce made from a roux to the marinara sauce included below.

Pair any of these dishes with garlic bread and a glass of wine and it’s a perfect meal in my book!

Let’s jump right in and start cooking some classic chicken parmesan.

how to: make homemade marinara sauce

The secret to a tomato sauce packed with flavor is caramelized onions! Check out this post where I tested the best pan to caramelize onions.

You can use any canned marinara sauce but there is NOTHING like the flavor and richness of making a homemade sauce!

For even more flavor, use homemade chicken broth instead of store-bought. So. Much. Flavor.

Begin by cooking the onions low and slow until nice and brown. You can add a dash of sugar to speed the process up a little bit.

Combine crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, chicken broth, oregano, and basil and simmer over medium-low heat until reduced and thickened, about 30-40 minutes.

Serve immediately or store in the refrigerator for 4-5 days or freeze.

how to: prepare the chicken

The chicken gets coated in a savory breadcrumb mixture that is packed with flavor.

Begin by pounding the chicken thin so it will cook through when pan-fried.

Next, dip each chicken breast in flour, then eggs, then the breadcrumb mixture. Coat the entire chicken breast each step of the way!

Plain breadcrumbs can be used to provide that desired, crisp texture when fried. Adding oregano, basil, garlic powder, and red pepper flakes to the breadcrumbs greatly enhances the final flavor of the chicken.

Heat canola oil over medium to medium-high heat and fry the chicken breasts on each side until golden brown.

If thin enough, the chicken will be almost done, nearing 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

Transfer to a plate lined with paper towels to absorb excess grease.

how to: Make classic chicken parmesan

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

Place chicken breasts in a greased baking dish. Cover with tomato sauce and top with mozzarella cheese.

Bake for 15 minutes or until the cheese is melted (or if your chicken is not fully cooked, cook until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees.)

Finish it off under the broiler for 5 minutes or until the cheese starts to brown.

Prepare pasta according to directions on the box. In Cooking Pasta we uncovered how if al dente pasta is desired, the pasta should be cooked a few minutes less than stated on the box. It’s up to you!

Serve the baked chicken parmesan over pasta and enjoy!

Ingredients Needed

Materials Needed