Easy chicken parmesan (parmigiana) is the ultimate chicken dinner comfort food. Soft and tender chicken with a crispy, breaded coating covered in a rich tomato sauce, and topped with golden melted mozzarella and parmesan cheese. This crowd favourite is much easier to make than you might think. Serve it on its own or over a bed of spaghetti pasta.
Chicken Parmesan History
Chicken parmesan (also known as chicken parmigiana) is an Italian-American dish that consists of thin breaded chicken cutlets that are typically fried, then baked with marinara, mozzarella, and parmesan cheese!
You might be surprised to know that you’ll never find this dish in Italy. Although the recipe roots return to Italy, it is strictly an Italian-American dish.
Chicken parmigiana is similar to the famous Italian dish eggplant parmesan , also known as “parmigiana di melanzane” in Italy. It’s believed that Italian immigrants here in America drew inspiration from eggplant parmesan to then make it with chicken (and even veal!).
So, it is not common in Italian cuisine, but rather, chicken parmesan is Italian-inspired.
Recipe Highlights
One of the many reasons we love this recipe is because it’s…
COMFORTING & SPECIAL. There is always something special about homemade chicken parmesan. It’s a dish full of love and comforting Italian flavors!
RESTAURANT-QUALITY. It is a tried-and-true family recipe and better than any restaurant chicken parmesan I’ve had! A true restaurant-quality dish made in the comfort of your own home.
PERFECT FOR HOSTING. If you’re hosting a gathering, this dish feeds a crowd perfectly. And once it’s baking in the oven, you’re free to be with your guests and not be tied to the kitchen!
Tips For Freezing & Storing Leftovers
Keep leftovers fresh: store cooked chicken in an airtight container and refrigerate for 3-4 days. To reheat, place in a baking tray and cover with foil. Bake at 350F until warm.
Freezing tips (2 ways):
Freeze chicken parm: as the recipe instructs, let cool to room temperature and store in an airtight container. Freeze for 1-2 months. When ready to serve, let thaw at room temperature, cover in foil, and bake at 425F until warm.
Freeze chicken cutlets: another way to freeze is by breading the chicken cutlets and browning them in a pan. Let cool to room temperature before storing in freezer-friendly bags (air removed). Freeze for 1-2 months, thaw at room temperature, and assemble in chicken parmesan when ready to bake.
ingredients
For the chicken:
- 2 cups tomato sauce
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
- ½ teaspoon salt
For the topping:
- 5 slices of mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, finely chopped
Leave a Comment