Baked Chicken Parmesan

Name: Baked Chicken Parmesan
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 70 min
Ingredients: 6 pieces of boneless chicken; 2 large eggs; 1-2 dashes black or white pepper; 1 cup crushed salted crackers or bread crumbs*; 3 tablespoons olive oil; 1¼ cups tomato puree (passata); 1½ tablespoons olive oil; ½ teaspoon salt; 1 teaspoon oregano; 1 teaspoon basil; 1 clove garlic chopped; ½ cup water; 1 tablespoon butter; ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese; ½ cup grated firm mozzarella

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Baked Chicken Parmesan also known as Chicken Parmigiana is topped with double cheese and a homemade tomato sauce, a true classic and family favorite. You will want to make it again and again!

This has to be one of my favorite dishes. Do you ever make one of your favourite dishes and it is so good that you always say to yourself, “why don’t I make this more often”? Well this is one of those chicken dishes for me. In fact chicken is probably one of my favorite types of meat from this Chicken Boscaiola to this Flavorful Italian Chicken dish.

In Canada and probably the rest of the world, chicken parmesan is usually served with pasta. But in Italy it is served without pasta and is considered a secondo piatto (second plate). All meat and fish dishes including meatballs are served on their own with a side dish of vegetables, no mixing with the pasta!

Even if you make a sauce such as Neopolitan Ragu, which is made with pieces of meat, the sauce is served on the pasta and the meat is served separately as the second dish.

Recipe Ingredients

Chicken – chicken cutlets, on the thicker side, I like to buy chicken breasts and slice it myself
Eggs – two large eggs
Pepper – black pepper
Crumbs – either breadcrumbs or crush saltine crackers
Olive oil

For the Sauce

Tomato passata – also known as tomato puree
Olive oil
Salt
Oregano – ground oregano
Basil – fresh basil or ground
Garlic – clove of garlic or garlic powder
Water
Butter

Toppings

Parmesan cheese – freshly grated parmesan cheese
Mozzarella – firm mozzarella shredded

What is Tomato Passata/Puree?

Tomato puree is a liquid, but dense product. It is obtained by removing the pulp from raw or cooked tomatoes. It is sold worldwide and is available in most supermarkets. Of course it can also be produced at home.

How to substitute garlic cloves

To substitute a clove of garlic with powder, make sure you use pure garlic powder and not a mixture. For one clove of garlic use 1/8 teaspoon of powder.

Should you rinse the chicken before cooking?

Salmonella, Campylobacter and other harmful bacteria live on raw chicken. Washing or rinsing the chicken will not remove any harmful live bacteria such as salmonella or campylobacter from it.

In fact it can worsen it by helping the bacteria to spread throughout your kitchen. Whereas cooking the chicken thoroughly will eliminate any bacteria.

How to make a Chicken Parmesan Recipe

In a medium bowl beat the eggs and the pepper. On a medium plate place the cracker/breadcrumb mixture mixed with salt, if you use salted cracker crumbs then cut back on the salt. I actually don’t any.

The egg beaten in a bowl, cracker crumbs in a bowl and chicken in a bowl.

Roll the chicken pieces once in the egg, then roll and cover well in the crumbs.

In a medium frying pan add the olive oil and brown the chicken.

The chicken pieces browned in the frying pan.

Place the chicken pieces in a lightly greased shallow dish or baking pan in a single layer.

For the sauce

In a medium pot, add the olive oil, garlic, puree, water, salt, oregano and basil, stir to combine. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat to low-medium, continue to cook until thickened, stirring occasionally. Stir in the butter.

Pour the sauce over the chicken, sprinkle with the Parmesan cheese.

Chicken and sauce in the pan and adding the cheese.

Cover with foil and bake for approximately 30 minutes. Remove the foil. Top with the grated mozzarella cheese and continue to bake until melted. Serve immediately.

Chicken in the pan and on a white plate.

FAQs

What is the difference between parmesan cheese and parmigiano?

A cheese labeled as “Parmigiano Reggiano” is authentically made in a certain location in Italy. Ir has been created with a specific cheese-making process. It has more flavor than most other cheeses labeled as “parmesan cheese.” Parmigiano Reggiano is considered the best of the parmesan cheeses, so if you have access to this, it is highly recommended.

Why is my chicken parmigiano tough?

Pounding chicken with a meat tenderizer ahead of time will prevent chicken from being too tough after baking.

Why does the breading fall off of my chicken?

Make sure the chicken is well coated with the breading beforehand and ensure that there is enough oil in the pan before frying. This will make the breading stick better to the chicken for the best outcome.

How long does it take chicken to bake?

The chicken in this recipe is browned first by pan frying for around 3 minutes on each side. Then, the chicken is baked at 350°F for 40 minutes.

What is parmigiana sauce made of?

The sauce ingredients are a typical marinara sauce made with tomato puree, olive oil, salt, herbs, garlic, water, and butter.

Why does chicken parm have mozzarella?

Mozzarella adds a lovely delicious gooey texture to the top of the chicken. Athough, it is best to use a firm mozzarella rather than fresh. The extra moisture from the fresh can water down your dish.

How long can cooked chicken stay at room temperature?

Unless the chicken is kept warm in an oven at a temperature above 140F (60C), then it is best not to let any chicken dish to be kept out longer than two hours, and only one hour at a temperature above 90F (30C).

What is the difference between chicken parmesan and chicken parmigiana?

Absolutely nothing, they both mean the same thing, in Italian it is called Pollo alla Parmigiana or Parmigiana di Pollo.

What goes well with chicken parmigiano (chicken parmesan/chicken parmigiana)?

Some traditional sides that go well with this dish include: mixed vegetables, pasta especially spaghetti, or if you wish to cut back on carbohydrates you could serve it with zucchini noodles, or how about a caesar or house salad, focaccia bread or an Italian crusty bread, or mashed potatoes.

I also learned from my Mom that the best coating for pretty well anything are crushed crackers, instead of a bread crumb mixture. Although bread crumbs work well also. Remember though if you use salted crackers, cut back on the extra salt.

How to store chicken parmigiana

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. It will keep for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator. You can reheat it in the oven or microwave.

How to freeze it

Place the completely cooled chicken parmigiana in a freezer container and freeze. It will keep for up to three months in the freezer. Thaw in the fridge and re-heat in the oven or microwave.

Chicken parm on a white plate with a fork.

Besides who can resist a delicious and easy Chicken Parmesan recipe? I know I can’t. Buon Appetito!