If you don’t know what chicken parm is, it might sound intimidating. However, you’ll be surprised at how easy this dish is to make. Most of its ingredients are easy to find, and some of it may be already sitting there in your pantry.
So, How to Make Chicken Parm?
Before cooking, make sure to have the following ingredients ready. Feel free to add some of your ingredients if you’re in the mood to try new things.
- Four boneless chicken breast (cut in halves and skinned)
- Salt
- Ground black pepper to taste
- Two eggs
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Two tablespoons all-purpose flour, or more if needed
- 1 cup olive oil for frying
- ½ cup prepared tomato sauce
- ¼ cup fresh mozzarella, cut into small cubes
- ¼ cup chopped fresh basil
- ½ cup grated provolone cheese
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Olive oil
Now that you have these ready, the first step is to preheat your oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.
Then, pound the chicken breasts using a meat mallet and cling wrap. Sandwich the chicken breast in a cling wrap and start pounding them firmly until the chicken is now about a half-inch thick. Once done, season them with salt and pepper.
In a bowl, beat the two eggs and set them aside. This will serve as a binder for your chicken and breadcrumbs mix.
In a separate bowl, mix a cup of panko breadcrumbs and half a cup of parmesan cheese. Panko breadcrumbs are a little drier than your regular breadcrumbs; however, it is ideal because it absorbs less oil, preventing your breading from becoming soggy. Once done, set aside.
Next, sift your all-purpose flour using a strainer and sprinkle it over your seasoned chicken breasts. Do this on both sides and ensure even coating. Once done, dip your coated chicken breasts into the bowl of eggs and then dip it in your bowl of mixed breadcrumbs and parmesan cheese. Do this in all your chicken breasts.
When coating your chicken, make it a point to use one hand when you dip it in the dry ingredient bowl (in your bowl of breadcrumbs and parmesan cheese) and the other hand when you dip it into the bowl of your wet ingredients (your beaten eggs).
Why? This is to prevent cross-contamination between the eggs and the meat. The risk of cross-contamination can happen when preparing eggs and egg products.
Your hands should be washed thoroughly when handling one food item at a time. You can also use different hands when coating your meat with eggs and when coating them with breadcrumbs and parmesan cheese.
After coating, the next step is to fry your chicken breasts. In a skillet, heat one cup of olive oil over medium-high heat. Once your oil is ready, cook your chicken until golden brown. It will take about two minutes on each side. Keep them cool and let them rest for about five minutes.
If you’re worried that your chicken will be undercooked when you fry them, don’t worry. You still have time to cook these thoroughly when you bake them in an oven.
Next, in a baking dish, arrange your fried chicken breasts in a single layer. Top each chicken breast with tomato sauce, then mozzarella cheese, fresh basil, provolone cheese, and parmesan cheese. Feel free to use other kinds of cheese that you prefer. Lastly, sprinkle some olive oil on each chicken that you prepared.
Depending on your preference, an alternative for your tomato sauce is either a marinara sauce or pasta sauce.
You’re now all set to bake them!
How Long Do You Bake Chicken Parm
The baking time for chicken parm usually takes fifteen to twenty minutes. Sometimes, it varies depending on the quality of your oven. It’s ideal to use an internal thermometer to determine if your chicken parm is already cooked all the way through.
Bake them in your preheated oven until the cheese turns brown (but not burnt!). By then, you can already observe that the cheese will start to bubble. This will take around fifteen to twenty minutes.
If you have an internal thermometer, you may already take it out of the oven when the temperature reads 165 degrees Fahrenheit, which is the ideal temperature that indicates that your chicken is now fully cooked. Serve while it’s still fresh from the oven.
Best Side Dishes for Chicken Parm
Now that you know how to cook chicken parm, wouldn’t it be great to prepare a side dish that compliments it?
Pasta
Chicken parm and pasta sure is a classic combination. It’s a quick side dish to prepare when you’re already running out of time. All you must do is boil the pasta until al dente. Follow the instructions on the packaging so that you will never go wrong.
Also, you may use your marinara sauce for the pasta. That’s it, and you’re good.
Caeser Salad
Here’s another healthy option if you’re watching your calorie intake. Its tangy dressing will complement your chicken parm.
In a bowl, toss the romaine lettuce and croutons with your store-bought Ceasar salad dressing. Of course, a homemade dressing is best if you have that already.
Top with parmesan cheese and serve.
These are just two of the many sides to pair with your chicken parm. Whatever side dish you choose, this dish will never disappoint.
You may explore other suggested side dishes below:
- Garlic Bread
- Mashed potatoes
- Roasted brussels sprouts
- Quinoa rice
- Roasted broccoli
How Many Calories Are In Chicken Parm?
Each serving of chicken parmesan has 254 calories for a halved chicken breast with sauce and cheese.
Cooking your chicken parm allows you to control the number of calories that go into your meal.
Say, for example, if you’re trying to cut down your sodium intake, you can reduce the amount of salt that you put in your dish. Don’t worry about the taste. Since there are already several layers of cheese, your dish will still be tasty.
Another alternative is using only the egg whites instead of the whole eggs if you’re reducing your cholesterol level. Egg yolks are high in cholesterol. Getting rid of the yolks won’t change the taste of your chicken parm.
How to Reheat Chicken Parm
t is best to consume chicken parm while it is still fresh from the oven. If leftovers are inevitable, the best way to reheat chicken parm is to use the oven. It allows the chicken to remain crispy and retains the flavor inside of the chicken without making it dry.
To do this, place the chicken in an aluminum oven-safe container lined with a small amount of olive oil at 325 degrees Fahrenheit and start reheating for about 10 minutes.
You may also extend the time if your chicken parm has just been taken out from the refrigerator, which may need a little more time reheating. Other options to use are a microwave, frying pan, skillet, or air fryer.
There you have it! Hopefully, the best chicken parmigiana of your life, made in the comfort of your very own kitchen.
