There is something truly magical about a classic Italian comfort food that’s been given a homey twist, and this Skillet Chicken Parmesan Recipe is exactly that. Crisp, golden-breaded chicken cutlets are nestled in a rich, garlicky marinara sauce, topped with melty mozzarella and Parmesan cheese, all cooked beautifully in one skillet. It’s a dish that feels special enough for a dinner party yet simple enough for a cozy weeknight meal, offering a perfect balance of crispy texture and gooey, cheesy goodness that will delight your taste buds and warm your heart.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering the right ingredients is the first step towards that perfect Skillet Chicken Parmesan Recipe. Each item plays a vital role—flour and breadcrumbs create the crispy crust, Parmesan and mozzarella bring layers of savory, creamy flavor, and garlic with onions add aromatic depth to your sauce.
- 1 teaspoon salt: Enhances all the flavors in the breading and sauce.
- 1 teaspoon black pepper: Adds subtle heat and depth.
- 1 cup all-purpose flour: Helps the coating stick perfectly to the chicken.
- 1 cup Italian breadcrumbs: Provides that crispy, crunchy texture everyone loves.
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese: Infuses a sharp and nutty flavor in the breading mix.
- 1 large egg: Acts as the glue between the flour and breadcrumbs for a flawless crust.
- 1 cup olive oil: For frying, adding richness and helping build an irresistible golden coating.
- 2 cloves garlic, sliced: Adds fragrant aroma and an unmistakable Italian flair to the sauce.
- 2 cups marinara tomato sauce: The heart of the dish, bursting with tangy, comforting tomato flavor.
- 1 1/2 to 2 pounds chicken cutlets: Tender and juicy, the star ingredient of this recipe.
- 1/2 cup diced onion: Adds sweetness and body to the tomato sauce base.
- 6 ounces mozzarella cheese, sliced: Melts beautifully on top of the chicken for that gooey, cheesy finish.
- Fresh basil, for garnish: Brightens the dish with fresh herbaceous notes.
- Red pepper flakes, for garnish: Adds an optional touch of heat for those who love a little kick.
- Cooked spaghetti or rice, for serving: Perfect for soaking up every bit of sauce and cheese.
How to Make Skillet Chicken Parmesan Recipe
Step 1: Heat the Oil
Begin by warming about a cup of olive oil in a 12-inch oven-safe skillet over medium heat. You want the oil hot enough that a breadcrumb sizzles instantly—around 325°F—but not smoking. This precise temperature ensures your chicken gets that perfect golden crunch without burning.
Step 2: Prepare Breading Stations
Set up three shallow bowls for an assembly line of flavor. In the first, combine the salt, black pepper, and flour—this seasoned flour will lightly coat each cutlet. In the second, whisk the egg to a smooth consistency for dipping. Lastly, mix the Italian breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese in the third bowl to create a savory, crispy crust.
Step 3: Bread the Chicken Cutlets
Now it’s time to transform your chicken. Dredge each cutlet first in the seasoned flour, tapping off any excess. Dip it into the egg, then press firmly into the breadcrumb-Parmesan mix until completely coated. Place the breaded cutlets on a clean plate, ready for frying.
Step 4: Fry the Chicken
Carefully place the breaded cutlets into the hot olive oil, frying each for about 4 minutes per side. Your goal is a golden crust while keeping the inside just undercooked—around 90% done. Don’t crowd the pan; fry in batches if needed. Once fried, transfer cutlets to a plate and pour out most of the oil from the skillet, leaving a tablespoon to sauté your aromatics.
Step 5: Sauté Onions and Garlic
In the reserved oil, gently cook the diced onions and sliced garlic over medium-low heat until the onions turn translucent, roughly 2 minutes. This step unlocks their sweetness and fragrant flavor, building a wonderful base for your sauce.
Step 6: Add Marinara Sauce
Pour in your marinara sauce and stir to combine with the onions and garlic. Bring everything to a low simmer—this melds the flavors into a rich, comforting sauce that complements your golden chicken perfectly.
Step 7: Combine Chicken and Sauce
Nestle the fried chicken cutlets back into the skillet, spooning sauce over and around them. Top each piece with a generous slice of mozzarella cheese, preparing for that irresistible gooey finish.
Step 8: Bake to Finish
Transfer the skillet to a preheated oven and bake for 10 to 12 minutes. During this time, the sauce will bubble and the mozzarella will melt into creamy perfection. Check that the chicken’s internal temperature reaches 165°F for safe and juicy results.
Step 9: Garnish and Serve
Once out of the oven, sprinkle the skillet chicken parmesan with fresh basil leaves and a pinch of red pepper flakes for a touch of brightness and heat. Serve immediately over your favorite pasta, rice, or even with crusty bread to soak up all the delicious sauce.
How to Serve Skillet Chicken Parmesan Recipe
Garnishes
Fresh basil adds a lively pop of color and herbal freshness, balancing the rich cheese and tomato sauce. Red pepper flakes are optional but highly recommended if you enjoy a hint of spiciness that wakes up your palate.
Side Dishes
This dish shines when paired with simple sides. Classic spaghetti or creamy risotto are excellent for catching every drop of sauce. A crisp green salad or sautéed vegetables add a fresh contrast, rounding out the meal beautifully.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, serve individual portions in small cast-iron skillets or ramekins for a rustic presentation perfect for entertaining. Or turn this recipe into sandwiches by placing the chicken on toasted rolls and adding fresh arugula for a handheld delight.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Skillet Chicken Parmesan Recipe keeps well in the refrigerator for 4 to 5 days. Store it in an airtight container to maintain moisture and freshness.
Freezing
You can freeze the cooked chicken Parmesan for up to 2 months. Wrap portions tightly in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil, or use freezer-safe containers to prevent freezer burn and preserve flavor.
Reheating
For best results, reheat leftovers in a 325°F oven until the cheese is bubbling again, and the chicken reaches 165°F internally. This method prevents sogginess and revives that fresh-from-the-oven crisp and melty texture everyone loves.
FAQs
Can I use chicken breasts instead of cutlets?
Absolutely! You can slice chicken breasts horizontally to create cutlets or pound thicker breasts evenly. Just adjust frying time accordingly to ensure they cook through without burning.
Is it necessary to fry the chicken before baking?
Frying creates the signature crispy crust and adds rich flavor, while baking melts the cheese and finishes cooking. Skipping frying will result in a softer texture and less depth of flavor.
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Yes! Substitute the all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour and use gluten-free breadcrumbs to keep the crispy breading suitable for gluten sensitivities.
What marinara sauce works best for this recipe?
Homemade sauces bring the freshest flavor, but high-quality store-bought marinara is a convenient, tasty option. Look for varieties with simple ingredients and no added sugars.
Can I prepare this recipe ahead of time for a party?
Definitely. Fry the chicken cutlets and prepare the sauce in advance, then assemble and bake just before serving to keep everything fresh and delicious without last-minute rush.
Final Thoughts
Sharing this Skillet Chicken Parmesan Recipe feels like passing down a little piece of happiness. It’s approachable, comforting, and bursting with flavor—a true crowd-pleaser that will quickly become a staple in your dinner rotation. So grab your skillet, gather your ingredients, and get ready to fall in love with every bite. You won’t regret it!
Print
Skillet Chicken Parmesan Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Description
This Skillet Chicken Parmesan recipe delivers a classic Italian-American favorite cooked to perfection in a single skillet. The chicken cutlets are breaded with a flavorful mix of Italian breadcrumbs and Parmesan, fried until golden, then simmered in a savory marinara sauce and topped with melted mozzarella. Finished in the oven for a cheesy, bubbly finish, this dish is perfect served over spaghetti or rice and garnished with fresh basil and red pepper flakes.
Ingredients
Chicken and Breading
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup Italian breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg
- 1 1/2 to 2 pounds chicken cutlets
Cooking and Sauce
- 1 cup olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, sliced
- 1/2 cup diced onion
- 2 cups marinara tomato sauce (homemade or store-bought)
- 6 ounces mozzarella cheese, sliced
Garnish and Serving
- Fresh basil, for garnish
- Red pepper flakes, for garnish
- Cooked spaghetti or rice, for serving
Instructions
- Heat the oil: Warm 1 cup of olive oil in a 12-inch oven-safe skillet over medium heat until it reaches approximately 325°F and a breadcrumb sizzles on contact, ready for frying the chicken.
- Prepare breading stations: In one bowl, combine salt, black pepper, and all-purpose flour. In a second bowl, whisk the egg. In a third bowl, mix Italian breadcrumbs and grated Parmesan cheese.
- Bread the chicken cutlets: Dredge each chicken cutlet in the seasoned flour, shaking off excess. Dip into the whisked egg, then thoroughly coat with the breadcrumb-Parmesan mixture. Place the breaded cutlets on a plate ready for frying.
- Fry the chicken: Fry the breaded chicken cutlets in the hot olive oil for 4 minutes on each side until they are about 90% cooked through. Avoid overcrowding by frying in batches if needed. Remove the cutlets from the skillet and set aside. Pour out most of the olive oil into a bowl to cool, leaving about a tablespoon in the skillet.
- Sauté onions and garlic: Add diced onion and sliced garlic to the skillet and cook over medium-low heat for about 2 minutes until the onion becomes translucent and fragrant.
- Add marinara sauce: Pour in the marinara tomato sauce and bring it to a low simmer to meld flavors.
- Combine chicken and sauce: Return the chicken cutlets to the skillet, nestling them into the simmering marinara sauce. Top each piece evenly with a slice of mozzarella cheese.
- Bake to finish: Transfer the skillet to a preheated oven and bake at 350°F for 10 to 12 minutes until the sauce is bubbling, the cheese has melted, and the chicken’s internal temperature reaches 165°F at the thickest part.
- Garnish and serve: Remove from oven, garnish with fresh basil leaves and red pepper flakes, and serve immediately over cooked spaghetti, rice, bread, or a fresh salad for a complete meal.
- Storage: Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for 4 to 5 days. Reheat gently in a 325°F oven with sauce until the cheese remelts for the best texture and flavor.
Notes
- Ensure the oil temperature is around 325°F for perfect frying without burning the breadcrumbs.
- Do not fully cook the chicken during frying; it will finish cooking in the oven to stay juicy.
- Use an oven-safe skillet to seamlessly transfer from stovetop to oven.
- Adjust red pepper flakes to taste for desired spiciness.
- Serve with cooked spaghetti, rice, or crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce.
- Leftover chicken Parmesan reheats best in the oven rather than the microwave to maintain crispy edges and melted cheese.
