Imagine a romantic dinner where you create a mouthwatering Italian classic that looks and tastes like it came straight from a gourmet restaurant - right in your own kitchen! This Chicken Parmesan for Two is not just a meal, it's a culinary experience that transforms simple ingredients into a crispy, cheesy, flavor-packed masterpiece that will have you and your dining companion swooning with every bite.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 30 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 2 servings
Ingredients
- 2 chicken breasts
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Olive oil for frying
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels and season both sides generously with salt and pepper.
- Prepare a breading station: In one shallow dish, mix breadcrumbs and grated Parmesan cheese. In another dish, beat two eggs (if needed) for coating the chicken.
- Dip each chicken breast first into the beaten egg, then coat thoroughly with the breadcrumb-Parmesan mixture, ensuring even coverage.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering but not smoking.
- Carefully place breaded chicken breasts into the hot oil and cook for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown and crispy.
- Transfer the fried chicken to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Spoon marinara sauce over each chicken breast, then generously top with shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Preheat the oven's broiler and place the baking sheet under the broiler for 2-3 minutes, watching carefully until cheese is melted and slightly bubbly.
- Remove from broiler and let rest for 2-3 minutes before serving.
- Plate the chicken and garnish with additional fresh basil or parsley if desired. Serve immediately with pasta or a side salad.
Tips
- Pat chicken breasts completely dry before breading to ensure maximum crispiness
- Use a meat thermometer to check chicken reaches 165°F internal temperature
- Don't overcrowd the skillet when frying to maintain oil temperature and achieve golden-brown crust
- Let chicken rest after broiling to allow cheese to set and flavors to meld
- For extra flavor, add a pinch of dried oregano or basil to your breadcrumb mixture
- Use fresh mozzarella for a more luxurious, creamy texture
- If you prefer less oil, you can bake the breaded chicken instead of frying
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 550kcal
Carbohydrates: 25g
Protein: 45g
Fat: 32g
Saturated Fat: 12g
Cholesterol: 140mg
