Olivia Carter
Chicken Parmesan is a classic Italian dish that is loved by many. It consists of breaded chicken cutlets topped with marinara sauce and melted cheese. While it is traditionally baked in the oven, it can also be cooked in a skillet for a quick and delicious meal.
To start, you will need boneless, skinless chicken breasts. It’s important to pound them to an even thickness so that they cook evenly. You can place the chicken breasts between two pieces of plastic wrap and use a meat mallet or the bottom of a heavy skillet to pound them.
Next, you will need to prepare the breading for the chicken. In a shallow dish, combine breadcrumbs with grated Parmesan cheese, dried oregano, salt, and pepper. In a separate dish, beat eggs with a splash of milk. Dip each chicken breast into the egg mixture, then coat it in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to adhere.
Heat some olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add the breaded chicken cutlets and cook until golden brown on both sides, about 3-4 minutes per side. Remove the chicken from the skillet and place it on a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess oil.
After draining, place the chicken back into the skillet and top each cutlet with marinara sauce and shredded mozzarella cheese. Cover the skillet with a lid and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Serve the Chicken Parmesan hot, garnished with fresh basil leaves and a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese. It pairs well with pasta, garlic bread, or a simple green salad. Enjoy!
Preparing the Ingredients
Before you start cooking your chicken Parmesan, it’s important to gather and prepare all of the necessary ingredients. This will ensure that you have everything you need within reach and that you can cook efficiently. Here’s what you’ll need:
1. Chicken breasts: Look for boneless, skinless chicken breasts at your local grocery store. You’ll need enough to serve everyone who will be eating.
2. Flour: You’ll need all-purpose flour to coat the chicken breasts before cooking.
3. Eggs: Beat a few eggs in a shallow dish. This will be used to dip the chicken breasts before coating them with breadcrumbs.
4. Breadcrumbs: Use Italian seasoned breadcrumbs for a traditional chicken Parmesan flavor. You can find these at most grocery stores.
5. Parmesan cheese: Grate a generous amount of Parmesan cheese. This will be mixed with the breadcrumbs to create a flavorful coating for the chicken.
6. Tomato sauce: Choose your favorite tomato sauce or make it from scratch using canned or fresh tomatoes.
7. Mozzarella cheese: Shred some mozzarella cheese to top the chicken Parmesan before baking.
8. Olive oil: Use olive oil to cook the chicken breasts in the skillet. It adds a rich flavor to the dish.
9. Salt and pepper: Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper to taste.
10. Fresh basil: Chop some fresh basil leaves to garnish the finished dish.
Once you have all of your ingredients ready, you can move on to the next steps of the recipe.
Gathering the Necessary Items
Before you begin cooking Chicken Parmesan in a skillet, it’s important to gather all of the necessary ingredients and tools. This will ensure that you have everything you need to successfully cook this delicious dish.
Ingredients
Make sure you have the following ingredients:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup of breadcrumbs
- ½ cup of grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon of dried basil
- 1 teaspoon of dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon of salt
- ¼ teaspoon of black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon of garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon of onion powder
- 1 egg, beaten
- ¼ cup of all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup of olive oil
- 1 cup of marinara sauce
- 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese
- Fresh basil leaves for garnish (optional)
Tools
These are the tools you’ll need:
- A large skillet
- Tongs
- A meat mallet or rolling pin
- A cutting board
- Three shallow dishes for dredging the chicken (you can use pie plates or shallow bowls)
- A whisk or fork for beating the egg
- A spatula
- An oven-safe dish
Gathering all of these items before you start cooking will help make the process smoother and ensure that you have everything you need within arm’s reach.
Seasoning the Chicken
Before you start cooking the chicken, it’s important to season it to enhance the flavor. You can use a variety of seasonings depending on your personal preference, but one classic combination is a mix of herbs and spices.
Gather the Ingredients
To season the chicken, you will need the following ingredients:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
Preparing the Seasoning Mixture
In a small bowl, combine the salt, black pepper, garlic powder, dried oregano, and dried basil. Mix well to ensure the flavors are evenly distributed.
Applying the Seasoning
Place the chicken breasts on a clean cutting board and pat them dry with a paper towel. Sprinkle the seasoning mixture over both sides of the chicken, rubbing it in gently to adhere the spices to the meat.
Make sure to season the chicken evenly to ensure every bite is flavorful. If you prefer a stronger flavor, you can adjust the amount of seasoning accordingly.
Once the chicken is seasoned, it’s ready to be cooked. Keep in mind that seasoning is just one step in the cooking process, so make sure to continue following the recipe for chicken parmesan to achieve delicious results.
Breading the Chicken
To make a delicious chicken parmesan, you’ll need to properly bread the chicken before cooking it in the skillet. This process helps the chicken develop a crispy and flavorful coating, which pairs perfectly with the melted cheese and tomato sauce.
Here’s how to bread the chicken:
1. Start by setting up a breading station. In one shallow dish, combine flour with salt and pepper. In another dish, beat eggs. In a third dish, mix breadcrumbs with grated Parmesan cheese and dried herbs like oregano and basil.
2. Take one chicken breast at a time and dip it into the flour mixture, making sure it is evenly coated. Shake off any excess flour.
3. Next, dip the floured chicken breast into the beaten eggs, making sure it is fully coated. Allow any excess egg to drip off.
4. Finally, press the chicken breast into the breadcrumb mixture, pressing firmly to adhere the breadcrumbs to the chicken. Make sure the entire breast is covered in breadcrumbs.
5. Place the breaded chicken breast on a plate or wire rack, and repeat the breading process with the remaining chicken breasts.
Once all the chicken breasts are breaded, you’re ready to cook them in a skillet. The breading will create a crisp and golden brown crust, while keeping the chicken moist and flavorful. It’s a crucial step to achieve the perfect chicken parmesan!
Shredding the Cheese
To make a delicious chicken parmesan, you need to have perfectly melted and gooey cheese on top. The best cheese to use for chicken parmesan is mozzarella. It has a mild flavor that pairs well with the other ingredients in the dish.
Start by grating your mozzarella cheese. You can use a box grater or a food processor with a grating disc. Shred enough cheese to generously cover the top of each chicken breast.
Once the cheese is shredded, set it aside while you prepare the chicken. This will give it a chance to come to room temperature, which will help it melt more evenly when it’s time to cook.
Tips for Shredding Cheese:
1. Use chilled cheese: Cold cheese is easier to shred and results in neater, more evenly shredded cheese.
2. Grate the cheese on the large holes of a grater: This size will give you the best texture for melting.
3. Avoid using pre-packaged shredded cheese: Pre-packaged shredded cheese contains additives to prevent clumping, which can affect the melting properties.
Once you have shredded the cheese, you are ready to move on to the next step in making your delicious chicken parmesan in a skillet.
Cooking the Chicken Parmesan
Once you have prepared the breaded chicken cutlets, it’s time to cook them to perfection in a skillet. Follow these easy steps to cook delicious chicken Parmesan:
Step 1: Heat the Skillet
Place a large skillet over medium-high heat and add enough cooking oil to coat the bottom of the pan. Allow the oil to heat up for a few minutes until it shimmers.
Step 2: Cook the Chicken
Gently place the breaded chicken cutlets into the hot skillet, being careful not to overcrowd the pan. Cook the chicken for about 3-4 minutes on each side until they are golden brown and crispy.
Step 3: Add the Sauce and Cheese
Once the chicken cutlets are cooked, remove them from the skillet and place them on a plate lined with paper towels to drain any excess oil. Pour your favorite marinara sauce over each cutlet and sprinkle a generous amount of shredded mozzarella cheese on top.
Step 4: Continue Cooking
Place the skillet back on the heat and cover it with a lid to allow the cheese to melt and the sauce to heat through. Let it cook for about 2-3 minutes or until the cheese is fully melted.
Step 5: Serve and Enjoy
Remove the skillet from the heat and let it sit for a minute to cool slightly. Use a spatula to carefully transfer the chicken Parmesan onto individual plates. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley if desired. Serve immediately and enjoy this delicious Italian dish!
| Ingredients | Instructions |
|---|---|
| Chicken breasts | 1. Preheat oven to 375°F. 2. Pound chicken breasts to an even thickness. 3. Season with salt and pepper. |
| Breadcrumbs | 1. In a shallow dish, combine breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, and Italian seasoning. 2. Dip chicken breasts into breadcrumb mixture. |
| Cooking oil | 1. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. 2. Add enough cooking oil to coat the bottom of the pan. 3. Cook chicken for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown. |
| Marinara sauce | 1. Remove cooked chicken from skillet. 2. Pour marinara sauce over each cutlet. 3. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese on top. |
| Shredded mozzarella cheese | 1. Return skillet to heat and cover with a lid. 2. Cook for 2-3 minutes until cheese is melted. 3. Serve chicken Parmesan hot. |
Heating the Skillet
Before cooking chicken parmesan, it’s important to properly heat the skillet. This will ensure that the chicken cooks evenly and develops a crispy, golden crust.
Start by selecting a skillet or frying pan that is large enough to comfortably hold your chicken pieces without overcrowding. A cast iron skillet or a non-stick frying pan are both good options for this recipe.
Preheating the Skillet
Place your skillet on the stovetop over medium-high heat. Allow it to heat up for a few minutes, until it is hot but not smoking.
While the skillet is heating, you can prepare your chicken by patting it dry with paper towels and seasoning it with salt and pepper. This will help to enhance the flavor of the chicken.
Add Oil to the Skillet
Once the skillet is hot, add a thin layer of cooking oil to the pan. You can use olive oil, vegetable oil, or any other type of oil with a high smoke point.
Swirl the oil around the skillet to evenly coat the bottom. This will help to prevent the chicken from sticking to the pan and ensure a nice, crispy crust.
Allow the oil to heat up for a minute or two, until it shimmers and is hot enough to sizzle when you add the chicken.
Your skillet is now properly heated and ready for you to start cooking your chicken parmesan!
FAQ
What is chicken parmesan?
Chicken Parmesan is a delicious Italian-American dish consisting of breaded chicken cutlets that are fried and then topped with marinara sauce and melted cheese. It is often served over spaghetti or with a side of pasta.
Can I make chicken parmesan in a skillet?
Yes, you can make chicken parmesan in a skillet. It is a quick and easy way to cook this dish, and it still results in a crispy and delicious chicken cutlet.
What ingredients do I need to make chicken parmesan?
To make chicken parmesan, you will need chicken breasts, breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, eggs, flour, marinara sauce, mozzarella cheese, and some seasoning like salt, pepper, and Italian herbs.
