Chicken Parmesan is a delicious dish served in most Italian‑American restaurants (alongside its “cousins” eggplant and beef parmesan). The name sounds Italian, and it’s very similar to dishes made in parts of Italy, but this adaptation (and name) is actually American.
Parmesan‑style dumplings are made from a filling (chicken, beef, or eggplant) that is finely chopped or pounded and then coated in flour, egg, and breadcrumbs before frying. After frying, they are baked with tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese, and Parmesan cheese (one theory for their name!).
Since dining at an Italian restaurant is considered very romantic in the US, I thought this recipe might be perfect for Valentine’s Day.
It’s relatively quick to make (since the holiday falls on a Tuesday this year) and pairs perfectly with any red JUICE. To truly enjoy this chicken parmesan, I recommend using the best ingredients—especially good cheeses and good pasta.
Fun Fact Chicken Parm (as we call it) is a typical sandwich filling in the USA. It’s delicious!
Ingredients: For the sauce
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Chopped garlic | 5 cloves |
| Finely chopped onion | 1 small |
| Garlic powder | 1 tablespoon |
| Olive oil | as needed |
| Canned chopped tomatoes (425 g) | 1 can |
| Fresh basil leaves (or ½ tsp ground dried basil) | 4 |
| Oregano | 1 pinch |
| Sugar | 1 pinch |
| Salt and pepper | to taste |
Ingredients: For the chicken
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Large, thick chicken breasts (about 400 g total), thinly filleted and pounded to 1 cm each | 2‑3 |
| Breadcrumbs | ¾ cup |
| Salt and pepper | to taste |
| Beaten eggs | 2 |
| Wheat flour | as needed |
| Ground cayenne pepper (optional) | ¼ teaspoon |
| Olive oil (or sunflower/vegetable oil) for frying | as needed |
| Fresh mozzarella cheese | 1 ball |
| Grated Parmesan cheese (good quality!) | 1 cup |
| Your favorite pasta (angel hair recommended) | as needed |
Step-by-step Instructions:
- We’ll start with the sauce. In a large skillet, heat a drizzle of oil over medium‑high heat and begin to sauté the chopped onion. After about 8 minutes (stirring occasionally), add the minced garlic. Sauté the garlic for one minute, then add the garlic powder, oregano, basil, and sugar. After another minute, add the chopped tomatoes and season with salt and pepper. Reduce the heat and let it simmer for half an hour while you cook the chicken.
- Preheat the oven to 220°C (425°F).
- The chicken should already be cut into thin fillets and pounded a little so that it is 1 cm thick.
- We mix the breadcrumbs with ½ cup of grated Parmesan cheese, cayenne pepper, and a pinch of salt and pepper.
- We coat the fillets in flour, beaten egg, and breadcrumb mixture.
- We heat oil in a frying pan and fry the fillets.
- Now, in a baking dish, we place a layer of the sauce.
- On top, we put a layer of the fillets which we cover with pieces of mozzarella cheese and then with the rest of the parmesan cheese.
- We leave the tray in the oven (uncovered) for about 10 minutes or until the cheese is completely golden brown.
- Let’s eat!
Nutritional Facts for Easy Healthy Chicken Parmesan
| Nutrient | Amount per Serving | % Daily Value* |
|---|---|---|
| Serving Size | 1 chicken cutlet | — |
| Calories | 380 kcal | 19% |
| Carbohydrates | 14 g | 5% |
| Protein | 36 g | 72% |
| Total Fat | 20 g | 26% |
| Saturated Fat | 6 g | 30% |
| Cholesterol | 105 mg | 35% |
| Sodium | 620 mg | 27% |
| Potassium | 540 mg | 11% |
| Fiber | 2 g | 7% |
| Sugars | 4 g | — |
| Vitamin A | 420 IU | 8% |
| Vitamin C | 8 mg | 9% |
| Calcium | 180 mg | 14% |
| Iron | 2 mg | 11% |
Note: Nutritional values are approximate and may vary depending on the breadcrumbs, cheese, sauce, and cooking method used. Healthy chicken parmesan is a lighter version of the classic Italian‑inspired dish, offering crispy chicken, savory tomato sauce, and melted cheese with balanced nutrition.
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000‑calorie diet.