Chicken Parmesan
About This Course
Chicken Parmesan, or “Chicken Parmigiana,” is an Italian-American classic featuring breaded and fried chicken cutlets topped with marinara sauce and a blend of melted mozzarella and Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese. Crispy on the outside, juicy within, and finished under a broiler to achieve a bubbling, golden crust, this dish delivers comforting flavors and satisfying textures. In this lesson, you’ll learn how to choose the right chicken cuts, create a perfectly seasoned breadcrumb coating, prepare a vibrant tomato sauce, and assemble and bake the components so each bite combines savory, tangy, and cheesy notes.
Learning Objectives
Material Includes
- Ingredient & Equipment Checklist
- Detailed list of ingredients (chicken quantities, breadcrumb types, cheese ratios, sauce components).
- Tools needed: 2–3 shallow bowls for breading, heavy skillet, baking dish, wire rack, tongs, broiler pan.
- Printable Recipe Card
- Step-by-step instructions for preparing chicken, breading, sauce, assembly, and baking.
- Timing benchmarks for each stage (pounding, breading, frying, baking).
- Marinara Sauce Guide
- Ingredient Quantity (for 4–6 servings) Notes
- Canned San Marzano Tomatoes 800 g (2 cans) Crush by hand; choose high-quality brands.
- Olive Oil 2 Tbsp Use extra-virgin for sautéing aromatics.
- Onion 1 small (finely diced) Sauté until translucent without browning.
- Garlic 3 cloves (minced) Add after onions soften to prevent burn.
- Fresh Basil 4–6 leaves (torn) Stir in at end to preserve aroma.
- Dried Oregano 1 tsp Add when tomatoes first enter pan.
- Salt & Pepper To taste Adjust at end after simmering.
- Breaded Cutlet Assembly Diagram
- Visual schematic showing layering: sauce → cutlet → cheese → repeat → final cheese.
- Thickness guidelines for chicken (about ½" after pounding).
- Cheese Comparison Chart
- Cheese Type Flavor Profile Meltability (1–5) Notes
- Low-Moisture Mozzarella Creamy, mild 5 Yields smooth, even melt; less water.
- Fresh Mozzarella Milky, soft 4 Creates stringy texture; may release moisture.
- Parmigiano-Reggiano Nutty, salty 3 Provides depth and golden-brown finish.
- Serving Suggestions Sheet
- Recommended sides: spaghetti aglio e olio, Caesar salad, garlic bread.
- Wine pairings: Chianti, Sangiovese, or an unoaked Chardonnay.
- Garnish ideas: fresh basil sprigs, parsley chiffonade, extra cheese shavings.
Requirements
- Basic Kitchen Tools:
- Three shallow bowls (for flour, beaten eggs, breadcrumbs).
- Heavy skillet or frying pan (cast iron or nonstick) for browning cutlets.
- Wire rack and baking sheet (for draining fried chicken before baking).
- 9×13″ baking dish or equivalent ovenproof casserole.
- Broiler or oven with broil function.
- Tongs, meat mallet or rolling pin (for pounding chicken), and a sharp knife.
- Ingredient Availability:
- Chicken: Four boneless, skinless chicken breasts or 8 tenderloins.
- Breading Supplies: All-purpose flour, large eggs, Italian-style breadcrumbs or panko.
- Cheese: 2 cups shredded low-moisture mozzarella and ½ cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano.
- Marinara Base: Canned whole tomatoes (San Marzano preferred), fresh basil, onion, garlic, olive oil.
- Herbs & Seasonings: Dried oregano, salt, pepper, optional red pepper flakes.
Target Audience
- Home Cooks Seeking Comfort Classics: Anyone who wants to add a hearty, flavorful entrée to their repertoire.
- Beginners in Italian-American Cuisine: Cooks new to breading and baking techniques requiring clear, step-by-step instruction.
- Family Meal Planners: Parents and busy professionals looking for a crowd-pleasing dish that can be prepared ahead and finished quickly.
- Culinary Students & Enthusiasts: Individuals wanting to refine their breading, sauce-making, and cheese-melting skills.
- Entertainers & Hosts: Those aiming to impress dinner guests with a visually appealing, satisfying main course.
- Vegetarian-Adaptation Seekers: Though this course focuses on chicken, techniques translate to eggplant or zucchini “Parmigiana” variations.