Chicken Parmesan Crispy Cutlets (Printable Version)

Golden crispy cutlets topped with rich marinara and melted mozzarella, served over pasta

# What You Need:

→ Chicken

01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
02 - Salt and black pepper to taste

→ Breading

03 - 1 cup all-purpose flour
04 - 2 large eggs
05 - 2 tablespoons milk
06 - 1 1/2 cups Italian-style breadcrumbs
07 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

→ Tomato Sauce

08 - 2 cups marinara sauce
09 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
10 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
11 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
12 - 1 teaspoon dried basil

→ Cheese Topping

13 - 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
14 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

→ Pasta

15 - 12 oz spaghetti or linguine

→ Garnish

16 - Fresh basil leaves
17 - Extra grated Parmesan cheese

# How To Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly oil a baking dish.
02 - Place chicken breasts between two sheets of plastic wrap and pound to 1/2-inch thickness. Season both sides with salt and pepper.
03 - Prepare three shallow bowls: one with flour, one with beaten eggs and milk whisked together, and one with breadcrumbs mixed with 1/2 cup grated Parmesan.
04 - Dredge each chicken breast in flour, dip in egg wash, then coat evenly in breadcrumb mixture. Press gently to adhere the breading.
05 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Fry breaded chicken for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown. Work in batches if necessary. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate.
06 - Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Sauté garlic for 1 minute, add marinara sauce, oregano, and basil. Simmer for 5 minutes.
07 - Spread 1/2 cup tomato sauce over the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Arrange chicken cutlets in a single layer. Top each cutlet with remaining sauce, mozzarella, and extra Parmesan.
08 - Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until cheese is bubbly and chicken reaches internal temperature of 165°F.
09 - Cook pasta in salted boiling water according to package instructions. Drain and keep warm.
10 - Serve the Chicken Parmesan over pasta, garnished with fresh basil and extra Parmesan if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The contrast between the crispy breadcrumb crust and the tender, juicy chicken inside is absolutely addictive
  • Everything bakes together in one dish, making cleanup surprisingly manageable
  • This is the kind of comfort food that makes everyone at the table go quiet and just eat
02 -
  • Letting the breaded chicken rest on a wire rack for 5 minutes before frying helps the coating adhere better
  • The initial sear step is what creates that satisfying crunch, even though the chicken finishes in the oven
  • Sauce directly under the chicken prevents the bottom crust from getting soggy during baking
03 -
  • Use panko breadcrumbs mixed half-and-half with Italian crumbs for an extra crunchy exterior
  • Pat the chicken completely dry before breading or the coating will slide right off
Go Back