Description
Crispy breaded chicken breasts topped with marinara sauce and melted mozzarella cheese, then baked to perfection. This classic Italian-American favorite is comforting, flavorful, and perfect for a family dinner.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup Italian-seasoned breadcrumbs
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Sauce & Cheese
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese (for topping)
Garnish
- Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for baking the chicken.
- Pound chicken: Pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness to ensure they cook uniformly.
- Prepare breadcrumb mixture: In a shallow dish, combine Italian-seasoned breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Coat chicken: Dip each chicken breast first into the beaten eggs, then coat thoroughly with the breadcrumb mixture.
- Pan-fry chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the chicken breasts for 3–4 minutes per side until they are golden brown.
- Assemble for baking: Transfer the browned chicken breasts into a baking dish. Spoon marinara sauce over each piece, then sprinkle with shredded mozzarella and the additional Parmesan cheese.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 15–20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Garnish and serve: Remove from oven, garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired, and serve hot.
Notes
- Serve over pasta, zucchini noodles, or with garlic bread for a complete meal.
- Using panko breadcrumbs will create an extra crispy coating on the chicken.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Pan-Frying, Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
