Get ready to transform your ordinary dinner into an extraordinary culinary experience with this mouthwatering Chicken Parmesan recipe! Imagine crispy, golden-brown chicken breasts smothered in rich marinara sauce, topped with melted mozzarella, and served over perfectly cooked spaghetti – a dish that promises to transport you straight to the heart of Italy with every single bite. Whether you're a cooking novice or a seasoned chef, this recipe is your ticket to creating a restaurant-quality meal that will have your family and friends begging for seconds.
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 30 mins
Total Time: 45 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 4 chicken breasts
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese
- 1 lb spaghetti
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
Instructions
- Prepare ingredients by patting chicken breasts dry with paper towels and seasoning them with salt and pepper.
- Mix breadcrumbs with Italian seasoning in a shallow dish, creating a coating mixture for the chicken.
- Dredge each chicken breast in the breadcrumb mixture, ensuring complete and even coverage on all sides.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, preparing to pan-fry the chicken breasts.
- Cook chicken breasts for 4-5 minutes on each side until golden brown and crispy, ensuring internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to boil and cook spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente.
- Transfer cooked chicken to a baking dish and top each breast with marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese.
- Place chicken in a preheated 375°F oven and bake for 10-12 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Drain pasta and toss with a small amount of olive oil to prevent sticking.
- Remove chicken from oven and sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese.
- Plate the spaghetti, top with chicken Parmesan, and garnish with fresh basil if desired.
- Serve immediately while hot, allowing guests to enjoy the crispy chicken and melted cheese.
Tips
- Pat the chicken breasts completely dry before breading to ensure maximum crispiness.
- Use a meat thermometer to check that chicken reaches the safe internal temperature of 165°F.
- Don't overcrowd the skillet when pan-frying to maintain the perfect golden-brown crust.
- Let the chicken rest for a few minutes after cooking to help retain its juices.
- For extra flavor, consider adding a pinch of garlic powder to your breadcrumb mixture.
- Choose a high-quality marinara sauce for the best possible taste.
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese will always taste better than pre-packaged options.
- If you want an extra crispy texture, you can briefly broil the chicken for 1-2 minutes at the end of baking.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 778kcal
Carbohydrates: 110g
Protein: g
Fat: g
Saturated Fat: 6g
Cholesterol: mg
