This is a super simple recipe that is great for an easy weeknight dinner. Plus, I usually have all of the ingredients on hand so it makes its way into the weekly dinner line-up quite often. I think I combined a few things from different recipes to make it easier but it is still super simple and delicious.
It’s a great budget-friendly recipe as well! There are a few things I do to make it more budget friendly. First, I use two large or three small chicken breasts, but I slice them in half lengthwise first and then cut them in half again depending on how large or small the chicken breasts are. Then I pound them out with a meat tenderizer mallet thingy. This usually means I will have 10-12 smaller pieces of chicken. For us, this makes it last a little longer since instead of getting one huge piece of chicken, we each get two smaller pieces. This also means it cooks faster which is great when you need a quick dinner!
Another thing I like to do is use mozzarella instead of parmesan cheese. I know technically it’s supposed to be Chicken Parmesan but I rarely, if ever, have parmesan cheese on hand because it’s sooooo expensive. I basically always have mozzarella cheese on hand since I use it in many recipes and buy it in bulk from Sam’s. It may not be the fancy and more expensive parmesan but it still tastes amazing! And to be honest, I do add some of that little green container of grated parmesan cheese on top that I can get for cheap at Aldi so technically it still is Chicken Parmesan.
Anyway, here is the recipe if you want to make it and try it for yourself. I kind of just guesstimate measurements. For instance, with the Italian bread crumbs, I just add a little to a plate and coat the chicken and if I run out, I add a little more. For the sauce, I just pour enough over the chicken to cover it completely and then add enough cheese until the sauce is covered and it looks good. Sometimes, I use some of the homemade pasta sauce I make, sometimes I use half homemade and half pasta sauce from a jar, and sometimes I just use a whole jar because I don’t have any homemade sauce on hand and am feeling lazy. You do what you can.
I’m not really good on times either since I just keep an eye on it until it’s crispy and done so make sure you are paying attention, haha.
Simple Chicken Parmesan For Dummies (Jk)
2-3 chicken breasts
Olive Oil
1 cup Italian bread crumbs
2 eggs
1 Tbsp milk
½ cup of flour
Salt
Pepper
1 Jar or 2 cups of pasta sauce
1 ½ cups mozzarella or parmesan cheese
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat with a couple tablespoons of olive oil.
- Prepare the chicken by slicing in half lengthwise and then cut in half again. Tenderize chicken pieces by using a meat tenderizer mallet (what is it really called???). Salt and pepper chicken on both sides.
- Prepare 3 separate dishes with the flour in one; eggs scrambled with milk in another; and Italian bread crumbs in the last one.
- Bread chicken pieces by placing each chicken piece and coating both sides with flour, then eggs, then Italian bread crumbs.
- Put chicken in skillet and cook until golden on each side about 2-3 min per side, then place in a large casserole pan.
- Once all of your chicken is done and in the casserole pan (it’s okay if they overlap), pour pasta sauce over the top.
- Sprinkle mozzarella and/or parmesan cheese on top.
- Bake for 30 minutes or until cheese is golden-brown and crispy on top or until thermometer inserted into chicken reads 165° F.
While chicken is baking, I usually make a box of pasta or some spaghetti, whatever works best for you. I hate using spaghetti since it’s such a mess with children but my husband loves it so sometimes that’s what we have. Then I serve pasta with a couple pieces of chicken parmesan and some of the sauce on top. It is also fantastic served with garlic bread and a side salad.
Let me know if you make it and how it turns out. My kids love it and it is a super affordable meal for us. Plus, since it is served over pasta, it will also last us 2-3 meals which means less cooking for me and more relaxing. Hahaha, now that’s a good one.
Enjoy!
