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    Home » All Recipes » Main Dish Recipes » Chicken Parmigiana (parmesan)

    Chicken Parmigiana (parmesan)

    Published on Jul 16, 2021 by Jim · Updated on May 24, 2022 · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. · 12 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe

    Chicken parmigiana, also known affectionately as chicken parm, or chicken parmesan, might be the most well known and widely requested Italian-American dish, at least in the New York metro area.  And for good reason.  Who can resist perfectly fried chicken cutlets dressed in tomato sauce and topped with melted mozzarella and plenty of Parmigiano Reggiano cheese? 

    Chicken parmigiana scooped out of pan.

    Growing up in Long Island, I took for granted how readily accessible chicken parmesan was.

    It could always be found in some way, shape, or form in so many different types of eating establishments:  Italian restaurants, delis, diners, and yes, even some fast-food chains have tried their hand at chicken parm.

    Almost every catered event I have ever attended included a tray of chicken parm. 

     

    Why is chicken parm so popular?  Simply put, it's just that good.  

    And it's versatile.  Chicken parmigiana can be eaten by itself, with a side of pasta, on top of regular New York pizza and Grandma pizza or one of my favorite ways, in a hero/hoagie/sub/grinder/sandwich.   

    My chicken parm recipe is easy to follow, and the numbered instructions below will walk you through the entire process.

    Ingredients shown: chicken cutlets, mozzarella cheese, parmesan cheese, and bowl of sauce.

    Table Of Contents hide
    1 How to make the sauce
    2 How to make the cutlets for chicken parm
    3 How to make chicken parmigiana (parmesan)
    4 Sauce level for the perfect chicken parmigiana
    5 How to serve it
    6 Which came first, the chicken or the egg(plant)?
    7 More parmigiana and other cheesy recipes
    8 Chicken Parmigiana

    How to make the sauce

    Note:  This recipe uses this 15-minute marinara.  Feel free to use your own sauce or store-bought sauce.

    1. Slice or mince 5 cloves of garlic.  If you want more garlic, go for it!

    Sauce recipe collage (for chicken parmigiana) group number one.

    1. You can use whole plum tomatoes or high-quality crushed tomatoes.  If using whole plum tomatoes, hand crush them as shown above or blender pulse for 2 seconds.  Use 1 standard American can of tomatoes (28 ounces).
    2. Heat a large pan to medium-low heat for 2 minutes, then add in a ¼ cup of olive oil.  Toss in the garlic and saute until lightly golden (about 2-3 minutes).

    Sauce recipe collage (for chicken parmigiana) group number two.

    1. Add in the plum tomatoes and bring the sauce to a gentle simmer.  Let the sauce cook for 10 minutes or so and taste test it.  Adjust salt and pepper to taste.  If you like dried oregano or fresh basil add it in now.  Remove the sauce from the heat, set aside, and move on to the chicken prep below.

    How to make the cutlets for chicken parm

    Note: This recipe uses our chicken cutlet recipe.  If you have cutlets already made, or storebought, just skip this part.

    1. Begin by preparing a frying station consisting of thin-sliced (preferably pounded out to a ¼ to ⅜" thick) cutlets, a bowl of salt and pepper seasoned flour, a bowl of beaten eggs and, a bowl of seasoned breadcrumbs.
    2. Dredge the cutlets in flour and shake off the excess.

    Chicken cutlet process (for chicken parmigiana) collage group number one.

    1. Place the floured cut into the eggwash and drip off any excess.
    2. Finally, coat the cutlet in the breadcrumbs on both sides.  Place the prepped cutlets on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet for easy frying in the next step.
    3. Heat at least 1" of olive oil or vegetable oil in a heavy pan.  A cast iron or dutch oven works great.  When the oil reaches 350-370f begin frying the cutlets by gently lowering them into the oil.
    4. Work in batches to not overcrowd the cutlets and to allow easy flipping.

    Chicken cutlet process (for chicken parmigiana) collage group number two.

    1. Cook the cutlets for 3 minutes per side.
    2. You can place the cutlets on paper towels or if you want to keep them crispier, place them on a wire rack.

    How to make chicken parmigiana (parmesan)

    Note: Chicken parm can be prepared with sauce on the bottom like shown below or with the sauce just on top of the chicken cutlets to keep them more crispy as I demonstrated in this chicken parmigiana YouTube video.  The choice is yours!

    1. Preheat the oven to 400f.  If you are opting to prepare your chicken parmesan with sauce, begin by adding marinara sauce to the bottom of a baking dish, or oven-safe pan.  I used a cast iron pan for my pictures below, but a baking or casserole dish would work better.  Note: It's recommended to not use acidic sauces (like tomato sauce) on cast iron because it can remove the seasoning.  Grate the mozzarella and parmesan cheese and set aside.

    Chicken parmigiana recipe process shot collage group number one.

    1. Add the chicken cutlets to the pan and top with more sauce.  
    2. Top the chicken cutlets with the grated mozzarella cheese.

    Chicken parmigiana recipe process shot collage group number two.

    1. Sprinkle about half of the parmesan cheese on top and place in the oven.  Depending on the state of your cutlets, the cook time will vary.  If you previously made the cutlets or bought them from the store, they may be cold if they have been in the refrigerator.  If they are cold, they will need to bake for 12-15 minutes to heat them through.  If you just made the cutlets and they are still warm from being fried, they will only need to bake for ~5 minutes.  Once they are hot, turn on the broiler and broil them for 30-60 seconds to melt and lightly brown the cheese.  Be careful to keep a close watch so they don't burn.  Remove from the oven and sprinkle with the remaining parmesan.  Serve with some extra sauce on the side and enjoy!

    Overhead shot of cooked chicken parm in cast iron pan on blue board.

    Sauce level for the perfect chicken parmigiana

    The perfect sauce level for chicken parm is entirely up to the person making it or eating it.  

    Some people prefer their chicken parm to be crispy and with minimal sauce.  If that is how you like it, opt for using a cookie sheet and saucing only the top of the chicken cutlet, as shown below.

    If you like your chicken parm saucy, definitely throw a layer of sauce down so the chicken cutlets are sauced on both sides.  

    Pro tip:  To make the best chicken parmigiana sandwich, or hero, go heavy on the sauce.  The bread will soak up some of the sauce so it is good to over sauce the cutlets if you know they're going to wind up in a hero.

    Baked chicken parmigiana on sheet pan held in hands.

    Chicken parmesan made crispy style with sauce only on top.

    How to serve it

    Chicken parm is incredibly versatile.  If you order it from a New York Italian restaurant, deli, or pizzeria, it will likely be served with a side of your choice of pasta topped with marinara sauce.  

    If you're looking for a lighter option than pasta, a green veggie, such as garlic broccoli, broccoli rabe, or this best green salad would be perfect with chicken parm.

    One of my favorite ways to serve chicken parm is on a hero.  

    To make a chicken parmigiana sandwich, I recommend buying a loaf of seeded Italian bread and slicing lengthwise.  Add some sauce to the bread, and then layer your chicken parm cutlets, topping with more sauce if needed.

    Chicken parm hero sandwich on wood board.

    Which came first, the chicken or the egg(plant)?

    Many Italian-Americans may be disappointed to learn that chicken parm isn't actually Italian.  

    In fact, if you were to visit Italy, you won't find this dish in any restaurant.

    Chicken parm likely evolved from "parmigiana", or "parmigiana di melanzane", also known as eggplant parmigiana.  

    Many pizzerias in New York sell shrimp parmigiana too.  Cheese and shrimp?  Yes, that's right.  And, it's damn good too.

    Parmigiana is a classic southern Italian dish of fried eggplant topped with tomato sauce and cheese.

    Early Italian-Americans likely used this as their inspiration for chicken parmigiana.  

    So, to answer the age-old question, the eggplant parm came first.

    More parmigiana and other cheesy recipes

    If you're making chicken parm, it's safe to say you probably enjoy cheese just a little.  

    And if you like cheese, there are plenty of melty, cheesy recipes here for you to peruse.

    In addition to the eggplant parm recipe I mentioned above, check out zucchini alla parmigiana, made with roasted zucchini.  It's super easy and so good!

    Another NY classic is a meatball parm hero and sausage and peppers.

    Zucchini rollatini, stuffed shells, and baked ziti are all excellent choices if you're craving baked, creamy, melty-type things.

    We also think you'll love chicken eggplant parm which combines both iconic dishes into one!

    If you’ve enjoyed this chicken parmigiana recipe or any recipe on this site, we want to know so tell us in the comments below.  We would love to hear how you did and it’s nice to show others as well.  Thanks!

    Watch the video below where Jim will show you how to make this recipe with easy-to-follow instructions.  Some people learn by watching.  If you're that type of person, you can find most of our recipes on YouTube and our Facebook Page.

    Chicken parm featured image.

    Chicken Parmigiana

    5 from 5 votes
    Prep Time: 15 mins
    Cook Time: 45 mins
    Total Time: 1 hr
    Servings: 4
    Print Pin Rate
    Author: James

    Ingredients

    For the sauce

    • 1 28 ounce can whole plum tomatoes hand crushed or blender pulsed
    • 5 cloves garlic sliced
    • ¼ cup olive oil
    • salt and pepper to taste
    • ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper optional, see notes below
    • ½ teaspoon dried oregano optional

    For the chicken

    • 1 pound chicken cutlets thin-sliced, about 6 cutlets
    • 1 cup flour for dredging, will not need all flour
    • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
    • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
    • 3 large eggs beaten
    • 1 ½ cups Italian seasoned breadcrumbs
    • 1-2 cups olive oil or vegetable oil for frying
    • 1 ½ cups mozzarella cheese shredded
    • ½ cup Parmigiano Reggiano finely grated

    Instructions

    Making the sauce

    • In a saucepan saute the garlic in a ¼ cup of olive oil over medium-low heat for 2-3 minutes or until lightly golden. Add in the hot red pepper flakes (optional) and cook for 30 seconds more.
    • Add the tomatoes, stir together, and bring the sauce to a simmer for 10 minutes. Season with salt and oregano (optional).
    • Taste test the sauce, and adjust salt and pepper if required. When satisfied set the sauce aside.

    Frying the cutlets

    • Mix 1 teaspoon kosher salt and a ¼ teaspoon pepper into the flour.
    • Dredge the cutlets in the flour and shake off excess, then dip into the egg, and then into the breadcrumbs. Place the breaded cutlets onto parchment paper and set them aside.
    • Pour the olive about ¾” high into a large heavy frying pan and heat oil to 350 to 370f. The burner should be set to about medium heat and take about 5-7 minutes to get to ~350f.
    • When the oil reaches frying temp, add the cutlets into the pan and fry in batches. The cutlets will take approximately 3 minutes per side. Place finished cutlets on a wire rack to cool.

    Assembling the chicken parmigiana

    • Preheat oven to 400f
    • Place a thick layer of sauce (about a ¼") on the bottom of a large baking dish. Space out the chicken cutlets in the dish and cover them with another thick layer of sauce. Note: You do not have to use all of the sauce.
    • Next sprinkle on the mozzarella cheese, dividing evenly between all the chicken cutlets. Sprinkle half of the Parmigiano Reggiano cheese on top.
    • Bake the chicken parmigiana in the oven for 5 minutes (12-15 minutes if starting with cold cutlets) then broil for 30-60 seconds to brown the top.
    • Remove the pan from the oven and sprinkle the remaining parmesan cheese all over. Let the chicken parmigiana settle for 5 minutes before eating. Enjoy!

    Notes

    • If you follow the full recipe for the sauce, cutlets, and assembly, the chicken will only need 5 minutes to bake before broiling, due to the cutlets still being warm.  If using cold cutlets the baking time will need to be increased to 12-15 minutes before final broiling.
    • Any extra sauce can be served on the side.
    • Dried Sicilian oregano screams Italian-American and frequently is used in sauce all over the NY metro area, especially in pizza and chicken parm.  If you don't like it, don't use it.
    • Leftovers can be saved for up to 3 days and can be reheated in the oven at 350f until warm.
    • SAUCE/NO SAUCE:  as mentioned in the body of this post chicken parmigiana can be served wet with the sauce on the bottom and top of the chicken.  It can also be enjoyed with just a bit of sauce on top to retain the cutlet's crispiness factor.  This is 100% a personal choice.    

    Nutrition

    Calories: 904kcal | Carbohydrates: 44.9g | Protein: 58.7g | Fat: 53.9g | Saturated Fat: 15.4g | Cholesterol: 259mg | Sodium: 1272mg | Potassium: 776mg | Fiber: 4.7g | Sugar: 13g | Calcium: 541mg | Iron: 5mg
    Did you make this recipe? Mention @sipandfeast or tag #sipandfeast
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    Comments

    1. Catherine Dilworth

      December 16, 2021 at 1:05 pm

      5 stars
      I made this Chicken Parmigiana this morning and it turned out delicious. I used pecorino romano because that's what I had plenty of in my fridge. Maybe the cutlets were a bit too thin; I'll try getting them a little thicker next time, or even cut chicken breasts into layers and pound to an even thickness, like maybe 3/8" instead of the 1/4" I bought in a package. Following the recipes on Sip and Feast is turning me into a confident cook - everything comes out tasting great!

      Reply
      • Jim

        December 17, 2021 at 12:46 pm

        Hi Catherine. Glad you enjoyed the recipe and thanks for the feedback.

        Reply
    2. Matt

      March 04, 2022 at 6:55 pm

      5 stars
      Made this last night and followed the recipe (almost) exactly and it turned out delicious! Used Sclafani crushed tomatoes and pan fried the chicken in a thinner layer of oil. Delicious and a keeper!

      Reply
      • Jim

        March 05, 2022 at 10:55 am

        Hi Matt. Glad it was a hit and is now a keeper!

        Reply
    3. Betz Dundas

      March 30, 2022 at 6:22 pm

      5 stars
      OMG! So good, I closed my eyes and imagined being at my favorite Italian restaurant - Only so much better <3 My husband said it was over the top! Was proud to make this!

      Reply
      • Jim

        March 31, 2022 at 5:55 pm

        Hi Betz. Really glad that it was a hit. Thanks for the comment!

        Reply
    4. SeafoamJade

      September 04, 2022 at 11:50 pm

      Will you please post recipes for both Veal Parmigiana and Shrimp Parmigiana? I want to make both of those dishes YOUR way.

      Reply
      • Jim

        September 05, 2022 at 8:56 am

        Hi there, at some point I will have recipes up for veal and shrimp parm but just don't have them done yet.

        Reply
    5. Jane Hart

      September 05, 2022 at 8:37 pm

      5 stars
      I made this recipe tonight and my family really loved the dish!! From the sauce to the delicious chicken, every plate was cleared!! I also prepared the Italian Lentil soup recipe you posted for a camping trip and my friends loved the soup! Your recipes are absolutely delicious, thank you so much!

      Reply
      • Jim

        September 06, 2022 at 10:22 am

        Hi Jane, I'm happy you liked this one and the lentil soup! Thanks for the comment!

        Reply
    6. Friedlander Debbie

      February 06, 2023 at 6:52 am

      5 stars
      There isn't one recipe where i don't pick up a trick or two. Love this one. Please, please, please with a cheery on top write a cookbook complete with QR codes for readers to scan for your matching videos. Thank you!

      Reply
      • Jim

        February 06, 2023 at 10:20 am

        Hi Debbie, thanks for the comment and so happy you're enjoying the recipes. We're hoping at some point to have a cookbook out but it's quite an involved process. Maybe by the end of this year.

        Reply

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    Welcome! I'm Jim and I'm here to help you make awesome Italian food that you would normally enjoy at some of your favorite New York style Italian restaurants. While my recipes are typically Italian, you'll find some other great ones as well. Take a look around, and get cooking!

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