I love how I can make this chicken parmesan recipe in just 30 minutes. The crispy chicken is topped with savory tomato sauce and fresh mozzarella. And when paired with angel hair pasta, it’s one of my weeknight meals!
Table of Contents
Why I Love This Recipe
I’m all about a quick but nice meal on busy weeknights. Who am I kidding – I like a quick, easy meal any day of the week! Even better is a parmesan recipe that I love that’s made in 30 minutes (or less), like this baked chicken parmesan recipe. Here are other reasons why I love it:
- Crispy Chicken: The chicken bakes in a 450˚F oven, which creates a crispy crust on the chicken that is then topped with the tomato sauce.
- 30-Minute Recipe: I love how quick it is to make, and my husband appreciates the pasta side.
- Versatile: This recipe is versatile, so I can either make my own tomato sauce, like my homemade spaghetti sauce, or use my favorite canned variety for ease.
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Key Ingredients and Substitutions
- Chicken Breast: For this recipe, it’s best to use reasonably sized chicken breasts that are about 7 ounces each. If they’re larger, you can either bake them longer or cut them in half before breading.
- Italian Bread Crumbs: These will give your chicken parmesan a delicious, crispy coating. They’re seasoned with Italian herbs, adding a flavorful twist to the dish.
- Grated Parmesan Cheese: This ingredient adds a rich, savory flavor to both the chicken and the breadcrumb coating. It also helps the coating to brown nicely in the oven.
- Butter: You’ll use butter to cook the bread-coated chicken breasts. It adds a delicious, buttery flavor and helps to crisp up the breadcrumb coating.
- Fresh Mozzarella: This cheese melts beautifully and adds a gooey, creamy texture to the dish. It’s the perfect cheesy companion to the tomato sauce. Alternatively, you can try a sharp cheddar for a more intense flavor.
- Tomato Sauce: This is the base for your chicken parmesan. It’s rich, tangy, and full of flavor, and it’s what gives the dish its classic Italian flair.
- Angel Hair Pasta: This delicate pasta is the perfect accompaniment to your chicken parmesan. It cooks quickly and has a light, silky texture that pairs beautifully with the rich, saucy chicken.
How to Make Chicken Parmesan Recipe
Preparation
Start by preheating your oven and preparing your pan. You’ll also need to cook the pasta and heat up the marinara sauce.
Step 1 – Bread the Chicken
In one bowl, melt the butter. In another bowl, mix the breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese. Dip the chicken first in the melted butter, then in the breadcrumb mixture.
Step 2 – Bake the Chicken
Place the bread-coated chicken in your prepared pan. Spray the chicken with cooking spray and bake it in the oven for 20 – 25 minutes.
Step 3 – Add Sauce and Cheese
After the chicken is cooked, spoon marinara sauce over each piece. Then, top the sauce with a slice of mozzarella cheese and bake it again until the cheese is melted.
Step 4 – Assemble and Serve
Once everything is cooked, it’s time to assemble your chicken parmesan. Start by adding a layer of marinara-coated pasta to a bowl. Then, place a piece of chicken on top and serve immediately.
Lynette’s Tip
To make sure your chicken parmesan has a perfectly crispy coating, press the breadcrumb mixture firmly onto the chicken breasts after dipping them in melted butter. This helps the coating to adhere and results in a satisfying crunch once baked.
What to Serve With
Once the cheese is melted, I love topping the cooked pasta with some more sauce goodness and then the chicken before serving it.
For a classic Italian dinner, serve your chicken parmesan with a side of spaghetti aglio e olio and a fresh kale salad.
We also love serving it with some delicious garlic bread on the side for a tasty family meal.
Recipe FAQs
Absolutely! For this recipe, I used a 24 oz jar of marinara sauce. You can also use your favorite homemade tomato sauce if you have it. Just make sure to heat it up before adding it to the chicken.
No, you can use any type of pasta you like. Spaghetti is a common alternative, but feel free to get creative.
Storing and Reheating
- Storing: After enjoying this delicious chicken parmesan, you can store any leftovers in an airtight container. They can be kept in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freezing: I don’t recommend freezing this chicken parmesan since the chicken won’t be as crispy and fresh anymore.
- Reheating: You can reheat your chicken parmesan in the oven at 350°F for about 20 minutes.
More Dinner Recipes You’ll Enjoy
30 Minute Baked Chicken Parmesan
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 450° F. Spray your oven-ready pan with cooking spray. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Cook angel hair pasta according to directions. Drain and set aside. In a stock pan, heat up the marinara sauce over medium-low heat or according to package directions.
- To one bowl, add melted butter. In a second bowl, combine the breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese.
- Dip the chicken into the melted butter (bowl 1) to fully coat. Then dip into the breadcrumb mixture (bowl 2).
- Place chicken in the oven ready pan. Spray the fully coated chicken with cooking spray or drizzle with additional butter. Bake for 20 – 25 minutes or until the chicken is fully cooked. Internal temperature should be 165˚ F.
- Remove from the oven and spoon 3 tablespoons of tomato sauce over each piece of chicken. Top with a slice of fresh mozzarella. Place bake into the oven to bake 3-5 additional minutes or until the cheese is melted.
- Add angel hair pasta to a bowl and top with additional marinara sauce. Top with the baked chicken Parmesan. Serve immediately.
Notes
My Favorite Variations:
- Cheese: Try a sharp cheddar for a more intense flavor.
- Fresh Basil: If you’d like to add a fresh, herby note to your dish, you can sprinkle some fresh basil over the finished chicken parmesan. It’s a simple touch that can really elevate the flavors.
What a classic dish! Oh I love the ingredients in this recipe! I can’t wait to give this one a try! Looks amazing!
This is one of my favorite pasta sauces, and I haven’t had chicken parm in FOREVER – adding this to my list!
Love your discussion of normal sized chickens! LOL So right, I go to cook “a chicken breast” and get such a wide range of sizes! And having ready made sauce, your own or commercial, really speeds a meal up – but it has to be one you like (and one you like and can just keep in the cabinet is invaluable.)