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The Chicken Parmesan Everyone Loves

Crispy breaded chicken topped with broiled cheesy marinara — the secret to keeping everything perfectly crunchy and melty.
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The Chicken Parmesan Everyone Loves
Prep Time:25 minutes
Cook Time:30 minutes
Total Time:55 minutes

Ingredients

Crispy Chicken

  • 1 lb chicken breasts sliced in half horizontally (4 thin pieces)
  • 1½ tsp salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • ½-1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2-3 eggs beaten
  • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 1 cup traditional breadcrumbs
  • Avocado or Vegetable Oil for frying

San Marzano Marinara Sauce

  • 2 tbsp Avocado oil
  • 2 shallots minced
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 28-oz can San Marzano–style crushed tomatoes
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 tsp Italian Seasoning

Cheesy Top Layer

  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

  • Prepare the Chicken: Season the chicken on both sides with salt and pepper.
  • Set Up Breading Station: Place the flour in one shallow bowl, beaten eggs in a second bowl, and combine the panko and traditional breadcrumbs in a third bowl.
  • Bread the Chicken: Dredge each piece of chicken in flour, then egg, then the breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to adhere.
  • Make the Sauce: (Let breaded chicken rest for a moment and get your sauce going). In a saucepan, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the minced shallots and cook until softened, about 2–3 minutes. Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute. Add the crushed tomatoes (I usually add a bit of water to the can and add that as well), brown sugar, seasoning, and salt, then simmer for 10–15 minutes until slightly thickened.
  • Fry the Chicken: Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Fry the chicken in batches until golden brown and cooked through, about 3–4 minutes per side. Transfer to a wire rack and keep in a warm oven.
  • Broil the Cheesy Sauce (Special Step): Spoon a ladel or two of the marinara into a small nonstick skillet. Sprinkle the mozzarella and Parmesan evenly over the top. Place under the broiler until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden.
  • Finish the Chicken: Pour the broiled cheesy marinara generously over the crispy chicken pieces.
  • Serve: Serve immediately while hot and crispy.
Servings: 4