Description
Chicken Parmesan emerges as a classic Italian-American dish that combines crispy breaded chicken with rich marinara sauce and melted cheese. Diners will savor the perfect balance of crunchy exterior and tender meat in this crowd-pleasing recipe.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 chicken breasts (boneless, skinless)
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded (or Swiss/Gruyere)
- ½ cup cream cheese (softened)
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese (grated)
- 1 cup breadcrumbs (panko or regular)
- 2 large eggs (beaten)
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup spinach, fresh (chopped or cooked and drained)
- 2 tbsps olive oil (for pan-frying)
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp paprika
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 garlic cloves (minced)
Instructions
- Pocket Preparation: Carefully slice a pocket into chicken breasts without completely separating the meat, then generously season the exterior with aromatic spices.
- Filling Creation: Blend mozzarella, cream cheese, spinach, garlic, and red pepper flakes into a creamy mixture. Gently stuff the chicken pocket, securing with toothpicks if needed to prevent spillage.
- Breading Technique: Establish a three-stage coating process – first dust with flour, dip in beaten eggs, then roll in Parmesan-enhanced breadcrumbs mixed with Italian seasoning, ensuring complete and even coverage.
- Cooking Process: Heat olive oil in a heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Sear breaded chicken for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown, then transfer the skillet to a preheated oven. Roast until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165F, guaranteeing thorough cooking and optimal juiciness.
- Finishing Touch: Remove from oven, carefully extract any toothpicks, and let the chicken rest briefly. Plate immediately to maintain the crispy exterior and succulent interior, serving while the texture remains perfectly balanced.
Notes
- Pocket Precision: Slice the chicken breast carefully to create a pocket without cutting through, ensuring the filling stays contained during cooking.
- Filling Finesse: Drain excess moisture from spinach to prevent a soggy interior and maintain the filling’s creamy texture.
- Breading Brilliance: Press breadcrumb mixture firmly onto chicken to create a crisp, even coating that adheres during cooking.
- Temperature Mastery: Use a meat thermometer to accurately check internal temperature, avoiding overcooking while ensuring food safety at 165F.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 430
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 36 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg