Description
Savory “One-Pan Chicken Parmesan” delivers classic Italian comfort with minimal cleanup. Crispy chicken nestled in marinara, melted cheese, and herbal notes creates a delightful dinner you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 3–4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Cheese:
- 1 1/2 cups grated mozzarella cheese
Sauce and Seasoning:
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- Salt (to taste)
- Black pepper (to taste)
- Fresh basil leaves (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare oven to 400F (200C), creating an ideal environment for even cooking and crisp texture.
- Coat baking dish with light olive oil or nonstick spray to prevent chicken from sticking and ensure easy cleanup.
- Use paper towels to thoroughly absorb moisture from chicken breasts, enabling better seasoning adherence and browning.
- Season chicken with salt and pepper on both surfaces, enhancing natural meat flavors before cooking.
- Create a uniform base layer of marinara sauce in the baking dish, which will keep chicken moist and infuse additional flavor.
- Carefully position seasoned chicken breasts atop the marinara sauce, ensuring even spacing for consistent heating.
- Generously distribute mozzarella cheese across chicken surfaces, allowing for complete melting and golden-brown coloration.
- Scatter fresh basil leaves over the cheese layer to introduce aromatic herbs and visual appeal.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, monitoring internal chicken temperature until it reaches 165F (75C) for safe consumption.
- Allow chicken to rest briefly after removing from oven, enabling juices to redistribute and ensuring tender, succulent meat.
Notes
- Test chicken thickness for even cooking by gently pounding breasts to uniform size before seasoning.
- Choose low-sodium marinara sauce to control salt intake and balance flavors more effectively.
- Swap mozzarella with dairy-free alternatives like nutritional yeast or vegan cheese for lactose-intolerant or plant-based diets.
- Fresh herbs like oregano or thyme can elevate the dish’s aromatic profile and add complexity to the classic recipe.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3
- Calories: 460 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 850 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 52 g
- Cholesterol: 130 mg