Cranky's Weekday Chicken Parmesan

Cranky's Weekday Chicken Parmesan is the ultimate quick and comforting dinner, perfect for even the busiest weeknights. This twist on the classic Italian-American dish combines juicy chicken breasts, a crispy Parmesan-panko crust, and a generous topping of marinara sauce and gooey mozzarella cheese, all baked to golden perfection in just 25 minutes. With simple pantry staples like garlic powder, breadcrumbs, and grated Parmesan, this dish is as easy to make as it is delicious. Serve it over tender spaghetti or with a fresh side salad for a complete meal that’s sure to become a family favorite. Quick, cheesy, and packed with flavor, this easy chicken Parmesan recipe is your go-to for weeknight comfort food!

Nutriscore Rating: 67/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 pieces Chicken breasts
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 1 teaspoon Black pepper
• 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
• 0.5 cup All-purpose flour
• 2 large Eggs
• 2 tablespoons Water
• 1 cup Breadcrumbs (preferably panko)
• 0.5 cup Grated Parmesan cheese
• 4 tablespoons Olive oil
• 1.5 cups Marinara sauce
• 1 cup Mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 4 large Fresh basil leaves
• 8 ounces Spaghetti (optional, for serving)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.

Step 2

Place the chicken breasts between two sheets of plastic wrap or parchment paper and pound them with a meat mallet until about 1/2 inch thick.

Step 3

Season both sides of the chicken with salt, black pepper, and garlic powder.

Step 4

Set up a breading station with three shallow bowls: one with flour, one with eggs whisked with water, and one with breadcrumbs mixed with grated Parmesan cheese.

Step 5

Dredge each chicken breast in the flour, then dip it into the egg mixture, and finally coat it in the breadcrumb and Parmesan mixture. Press the breadcrumbs gently onto the chicken to ensure an even coating.

Step 6

Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook each chicken breast for 3-4 minutes per side, until golden brown. Transfer the cooked chicken to the prepared baking sheet.

Step 7

Spoon marinara sauce over each piece of chicken, ensuring they are evenly coated but not drowning.

Step 8

Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese generously over the sauce. Add more Parmesan if desired for extra flavor.

Step 9

Bake the chicken in the oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden. While it bakes, cook the spaghetti (if serving) according to package instructions and set aside.

Step 10

Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for 2 minutes. Garnish with fresh basil leaves before serving.

Step 11

Serve hot over a bed of spaghetti or alongside a simple side salad. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1503.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2860.8

Total Fat 126.9g	0%
Saturated Fat 39.1g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 5.3g
Cholesterol 786mg	0%
Sodium 5475.9mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 221.5g	0%
Dietary Fiber 16.4g	0%
Total Sugars 19.9g
Protein 198.9g	0%

Vitamin D 82IU	0%
Calcium 1582.7mg	0%
Iron 18.5mg	0%
Potassium 735.8mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 40.4%

Protein: 28.2%

Carbs: 31.4%