Make restaurant-quality Skillet Chicken Parmesan at home in just one pan! This easy recipe features crispy breaded chicken breasts, homemade tomato sauce, and melted mozzarella cheese for a delicious weeknight dinner!
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Quick Recipe Overview
WHAT: Crispy breaded chicken breasts cooked in a skillet, topped with homemade tomato sauce and melted mozzarella cheese for an easy one-pan dinner.
WHY: This recipe delivers restaurant-quality chicken parmesan without the mess, using simple ingredients and minimal cleanup for busy weeknight cooking.
HOW: Bread chicken breasts, pan-fry until golden, top with fresh tomato sauce and cheese, then serve over pasta for a complete meal.
Jump to:
- Quick Recipe Overview
- Why I Love Making Skillet Chicken Parmesan
- Ingredient Notes
- Skillet Chicken Parmesan Recipe
- How To Make Skillet Chicken Parmesan
- FAQs for Skillet Chicken Parmesan
- My Best Tips for Making Skillet Chicken Parmesan
- Chicken Parm Sides
- Storage & Reheating Tips
- More Favorites From Longbourn Farm
Why I Love Making Skillet Chicken Parmesan
Nothing beats a homemade chicken parmesan when you want comfort food that doesn't require hours in the kitchen. This skillet version has become a favorite that gives us an at-home restaurant experience.
The combination of crispy bread crumbs, tangy tomato sauce, and gooey mozzarella cheese wins over my family every time. It takes less than an hour from start to finish.
The beauty of this one-pan approach is that everything happens in a single skillet. You make the sauce while the chicken cooks, so by the time you're ready to assemble everything, dinner is practically done.
🩷 Melissa
Getting the oil temperature just right is crucial for achieving that golden, crispy coating I love so much. Preheat the pan and then make sure the oil is hot enough to sizzle when placing the chicken in to cook.
I usually use a meat thermometer to check that my chicken has reached an internal temperature of 165°F.
This simple step ensures the chicken is perfectly cooked through without being dry or undercooked, which gives me confidence that dinner will turn out just right every time.
Ingredient Notes
Fresh Basil: Fresh basil adds a bright, aromatic flavor to the tomato sauce that dried basil can't replicate. Add it at the end of cooking to preserve its delicate flavor.
Seasoned Bread Crumbs: Italian-seasoned bread crumbs add extra flavor to the coating. If using plain bread crumbs, add ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning to the mixture.
Mozzarella Cheese: Shredded mozzarella melts beautifully and creates those lovely cheese pulls we all love. For even better results, use low-moisture mozzarella, which melts without releasing too much water. You can also use fresh mozzarella torn into pieces for a more authentic Italian touch.
For the exact amounts needed, please see the recipe card below.
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Skillet Chicken Parmesan Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon butter
- ⅓ cup chopped onion
- 1 clove garlic (minced)
- 14.5 ounces diced tomatoes (1 can)
- ½ teaspoon sugar
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup fresh basil (chopped)
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves
- ⅓ cup seasoned bread crumbs
- 4 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 egg (lightly beaten)
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 pound cooked spaghetti for serving
Instructions
- For sauce, melt butter over medium heat in a medium saucepan. Add onion and garlic, cook until tender. Add tomatoes, sugar, salt, and pepper and stir. Bring to boiling and reduce heat. Simmer about 10 minutes or until desired consistency, stirring occasionally. Stir in basil.1 tablespoon butter, ⅓ cup chopped onion, 1 clove garlic, 14.5 ounces diced tomatoes, ½ teaspoon sugar, ⅛ teaspoon salt, ¼ cup fresh basil
- Meanwhile, using the flat side of a meat mallet, flatten chicken between two pieces of plastic wrap until about ¼ inch thick.4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves
- In a shallow bowl, stir together bread crumbs, 3 tablespoons of the Parmesan cheese and oregano. In a second bowl, stir together egg and milk. Dip chicken into egg mixture; coat evenly with crumb mixture.⅓ cup seasoned bread crumbs, 4 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese, ½ teaspoon dried oregano, 1 egg, 2 tablespoons milk
- In a 12-inch skillet heat oil over medium heat. Cook chicken for 4 to 6 minutes or until golden, turning once.3 tablespoons olive oil
- Spoon sauce over chicken. Top with mozzarella and the remaining 1 tablespoon of Parmesan. Let stand 2 minutes. If desired, serve with hot cooked pasta.4 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese, ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese, 1 pound cooked spaghetti for serving
Notes
Nutrition
How To Make Skillet Chicken Parmesan
Step 1: For the sauce, melt the butter, add the onion and garlic, and cook until tender. Add the tomatoes, sugar, salt, pepper, basil and simmer.
Step 2: Flatten the chicken between two pieces of plastic wrap.
Step 3: Stir together bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, and oregano. In a second bowl, stir together egg and milk. Dip the chicken into the egg mixture, then the crumb mixture.
Step 4: Cook chicken until golden, and spoon sauce over and top with cheese and pasta.
FAQs for Skillet Chicken Parmesan
Make sure your chicken is dry before dredging, let the breaded chicken rest for 5-10 minutes before cooking, and avoid moving it around too much in the pan. These steps help the coating adhere properly and create that perfect crispy crust.
Yes, boneless, skinless chicken thighs work beautifully in this recipe. They'll be even more tender and juicy, though cooking time may vary slightly depending on thickness.
Pounding the chicken to ¼-inch thickness ensures even cooking and helps the breading adhere better. It also reduces cooking time and makes the chicken more tender.
While homemade sauce adds fresh flavor, you can absolutely use store-bought marinara sauce to save time. Just heat it up while you cook the chicken, and you'll have dinner ready even faster. Look for a good-quality sauce with simple ingredients.
My Best Tips for Making Skillet Chicken Parmesan
☞ Don't Overcrowd the Skillet: If your chicken breasts are large, cook them in batches. Overcrowding lowers the oil temperature and results in soggy breading instead of a crispy crust.
☞ Let the Cheese Melt Off the Heat: Once you add the mozzarella and Parmesan, turn off the burner and cover the skillet. The residual heat will melt the cheese perfectly without overcooking the chicken.
☞ Fresh Basil Makes a Difference: While dried herbs work in a pinch, fresh basil in the sauce brings bright, aromatic flavor that really elevates this dish. Add it at the end of cooking to preserve its vibrant taste.
☞ Don't Skip the Resting Time: After breading your chicken, let it sit for 5-10 minutes before cooking. This allows the coating to set and adhere better, resulting in less breading falling off during cooking.
Chicken Parm Sides
While this recipe is delicious served over spaghetti, there are plenty of other sides that pair beautifully:
- Garlic bread – Perfect for soaking up extra tomato sauce
- Caesar salad – Crisp romaine balances the richness of the chicken
- Roasted vegetables – Try zucchini, bell peppers, or broccoli
- Caprese salad – Fresh tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil echo the Italian flavors
- Risotto – Creamy parmesan risotto makes an elegant pairing
- Green beans almondine – Light and crunchy with a buttery finish
Storage & Reheating Tips
Room Temperature Skillet Chicken Parmesan
Don't leave cooked chicken parmesan at room temperature for more than 2 hours.
Refrigerator Storage for Skillet Chicken Parmesan
Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Keep the chicken and pasta separate if possible to maintain the best texture.
Freezing Skillet Chicken Parmesan
Freeze cooked chicken parmesan (without pasta) for up to 2 months. Wrap individual portions tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag.
Reheating Skillet Chicken Parmesan
For best results, reheat in a 350°F oven for 15-20 minutes until warmed through. Cover with foil to prevent drying. You can also microwave individual portions for 1-2 minutes, though the breading won't be as crispy.
Make-Ahead Tips Skillet Chicken Parmesan
Bread the chicken up to 4 hours ahead and refrigerate. Make the sauce up to 2 days in advance and store separately. When ready to cook, simply pan-fry the chicken and warm the sauce for a quick assembly.
More Favorites From Longbourn Farm
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