Quick Crispy Chicken Parmesan Recipe 20-Minute Easy Homemade Dinner
A quick and easy chicken parmesan recipe ready in just 20 minutes, featuring crispy panko-coated chicken breasts topped with melty mozzarella and savory marinara sauce. Perfect for busy weeknights or last-minute dinners.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 6 oz / 170 g each), pounded to even thickness
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- ½ cup (60 g) all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs, beaten, room temperature
- 1 cup (90 g) panko breadcrumbs
- ⅓ cup (30 g) grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 cup (240 ml) marinara sauce (homemade or store-bought)
- 4 oz (115 g) fresh mozzarella, sliced or torn
- A handful of fresh basil leaves, for garnish
Instructions
- Place the chicken breasts between two sheets of plastic wrap and pound them evenly to about ½ inch (1.3 cm) thickness. Season both sides with salt and pepper.
- Set up three shallow bowls: one with flour, one with beaten eggs, and one with a mixture of panko breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan, and Italian seasoning.
- Coat each chicken breast in flour, shaking off excess. Dip into the beaten eggs, then press firmly into the breadcrumb mixture to coat well.
- Heat olive oil in a heavy-bottomed skillet over medium heat until shimmering but not smoking (about 2 minutes).
- Cook the chicken breasts for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and crispy. Avoid overcrowding; cook in batches if necessary. Chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Reduce heat to low. Spoon marinara sauce evenly over each chicken breast and arrange mozzarella slices on top.
- Transfer the skillet or chicken breasts to an oven-safe baking dish and broil for 2-3 minutes until cheese is bubbly and slightly browned. Watch closely to avoid burning.
- Garnish with fresh basil leaves and serve immediately.
Notes
If skillet is not oven-safe, transfer chicken to a preheated baking dish for broiling. Avoid flipping chicken too early to maintain crispy crust. Use gluten-free flour and panko for gluten-free version. Swap mozzarella for dairy-free cheese for dairy-free option. Reheat leftovers in oven at 375°F (190°C) for 10 minutes to keep crispiness; avoid microwaving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: One chicken breast w
- Calories: 475
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 600
- Fat: 20
- Saturated Fat: 8
- Carbohydrates: 20
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 45
Keywords: chicken parmesan, quick chicken parmesan, crispy chicken, easy dinner, 20-minute recipe, panko chicken, mozzarella, marinara sauce