Quick Crispy Chicken Parmesan Recipe Perfect for 30-Minute Dinners
A quick and easy chicken parmesan recipe featuring crispy breaded chicken breasts topped with marinara sauce and melted mozzarella cheese, ready in under 30 minutes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, pounded thin (about 6 ounces / 170 grams each)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- ½ cup (60 grams) all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 1 cup (110 grams) Italian-style breadcrumbs (Panko recommended)
- ½ cup (50 grams) grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ cup (60 ml) olive oil, extra virgin preferred
- 1 cup (240 ml) marinara sauce
- 6 ounces (170 grams) fresh mozzarella, sliced or shredded
- A handful of fresh basil leaves, torn (optional)
Instructions
- Place the chicken breasts between two sheets of plastic wrap or parchment paper. Using a meat mallet or rolling pin, gently pound them to an even thickness about ½ inch (1.3 cm). Season both sides with salt and pepper.
- Set up a dredging station with three shallow bowls: one with flour, one with beaten eggs, and one with a mixture of breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan, garlic powder, and dried oregano.
- Coat each chicken breast first in flour, shaking off excess, then dip into the beaten eggs, and finally press into the breadcrumb mixture until fully coated.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat (about 350°F / 175°C). Add chicken pieces carefully and cook about 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and crispy. Avoid moving the chicken too much to keep the crust intact.
- Preheat your oven broiler to high. Transfer the fried chicken to an oven-safe dish. Spoon marinara sauce generously over each piece, then layer sliced or shredded mozzarella on top.
- Place under the broiler for 2-4 minutes, watching closely until the cheese melts and bubbles but does not burn.
- Sprinkle torn fresh basil leaves over the chicken parmesan for garnish and serve immediately with your favorite pasta, salad, or crusty bread.
Notes
If chicken isn’t cooking through after frying, cover the skillet with a lid for a minute or two before transferring to the oven. Press breadcrumbs firmly to prevent falling off. Keep oil hot but not smoking. Flip chicken only once. Watch cheese closely when broiling to avoid burning. For gluten-free, substitute flour and breadcrumbs accordingly. For low-carb, use crushed pork rinds or almond flour and sugar-free marinara.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast wit
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 600
- Fat: 20
- Saturated Fat: 7
- Carbohydrates: 15
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 35
Keywords: chicken parmesan, quick chicken parmesan, crispy chicken, 30-minute dinner, easy chicken recipe, Italian chicken, weeknight dinner