Chicken Parmesan with Tomato Sauce
Italian twist
Do you love chicken cutlets, also known as schnitzels, as much as we do? We certainly do.
Of course, you can buy them ready-made at the grocery store, but honestly, making them yourself is not only more fun, it tastes better too. It takes a little extra effort, about 10 minutes at most, but you end up with a freshly breaded chicken schnitzel that is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. You can taste the difference right away.
Today, we are giving the classic schnitzel an Italian twist. We are making crispy Chicken Parmesan with tomato sauce. It brings together the best of both worlds: a crispy breaded chicken cutlet with the classic Italian flavors of Parmesan cheese, tomato sauce, and slices of mozzarella. It is perfect for a weeknight dinner, but just as delicious for the weekend.
The chicken is first coated in breadcrumbs mixed with grated Parmesan cheese, creating a golden, crispy crust as it cooks. It is then topped with a simple yet flavorful tomato sauce. Serve it with pasta or a fresh salad, and you have a complete meal everyone will enjoy.
The secret to a crispy coating
The secret to great Chicken Parmesan is the crispy coating. Instead of using plain breadcrumbs, we combine them with grated Parmesan cheese, just like we did with these chicken nuggets. This creates an extra crispy texture.
First, coat the chicken in flour, then dip it in beaten egg, and finally coat it with the Parmesan breadcrumb mixture. Fry the chicken cutlets in a little olive oil until golden brown and crispy. The crunchy coating pairs perfectly with the creamy mozzarella and rich tomato sauce.
The perfect tomato sauce
What makes this Chicken Parmesan extra special? The sauce. A good tomato sauce brings the whole dish together and creates the perfect balance between rich and fresh flavors. For the sauce, we first cook the garlic and onion, then add the pasta sauce. Let it simmer gently until it thickens and develops a rich flavor. Place the crispy chicken cutlets in the sauce, top them with mozzarella, and bake for 12 to 15 minutes until the cheese is melted.
Serving suggestions
Chicken Parmesan with Tomato Sauce is a versatile dish that can be served in many different ways. Traditionally, it is served with spaghetti or another type of pasta, but it is also delicious with crispy potatoes, white rice, or a fresh salad. If you prefer a complete baked meal, try our Chicken Parmesan Pasta Bake, where the pasta is already part of the dish. Whatever you serve it with, this Italian classic is always a winner.
Chicken Parmesan with Tomato Sauce
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 2–3 servings 1x
Description
Chicken Parmesan with Tomato Sauce features crispy breaded chicken cutlets, rich tomato sauce, melted mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese. An easy Italian dinner everyone will love.
Ingredients
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 lb)
- 14 oz pasta sauce of your choice
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1 ball fresh mozzarella
- 1 onion
- 1 large egg
- Fresh basil (optional)
- Olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- Slice the 2 chicken breasts in half horizontally to make 4 cutlets, then gently pound them to an even thickness.
- Set out three shallow bowls. Place 1/2 cup all-purpose flour in the first bowl. Beat 1 large egg in the second. In the third, combine ½ cup breadcrumbs with 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese.
- Coat each chicken cutlet in the flour, shaking off any excess. Dip it into the beaten egg, then coat it evenly with the Parmesan breadcrumb mixture.
- Heat a thin layer of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook the chicken until golden brown on both sides, about 6 to 8 minutes, depending on the thickness of the cutlets.
- Meanwhile, mince 2 garlic cloves and finely chop 1 onion.
- Once the chicken is browned, transfer it to a plate. In the same skillet, cook the garlic and onion for about 1 minute. Pour in 14 ounces of your favorite pasta sauce and bring it to a gentle simmer.
- Return the chicken to the skillet and top each cutlet with slices of fresh mozzarella. Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake for 12 to 15 minutes, until the cheese has melted.
- That’s it. Serve with spaghetti and fresh basil, or with roasted potatoes and a fresh salad.

Notes
You can also transfer the chicken and sauce to a baking dish instead of using an oven-safe skillet
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking, Frying, Sautéing
- Cuisine: American, Italian