Name: Skillet Chicken Parmesan Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 1 teaspoon salt; 1 teaspoon black pepper; 1 cup all-purpose flour; 1 large egg; 1 cup Italian breadcrumbs; 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese; 1 1/2 to 2 pounds chicken cutlets; 1 cup olive oil; 1/2 cup diced onion; 2 cloves garlic, sliced; 2 cups marinara tomato sauce, homemade or store-bought; 6 ounces mozzarella cheese, sliced; Fresh basil, for garnish; Red pepper flakes, for garnish; Cooked spaghetti or rice, for serving

If you’re craving a classic comfort dish that’s easy enough for a weeknight but impressive enough for guests, you’re going to adore this Skillet Chicken Parmesan Recipe. It’s one of those meals that come together quickly, with minimal dishes to wash—a total win in my book! I love this recipe because the chicken stays crispy and juicy, and you get that melty cheese and rich marinara flavor all in one pan. Keep reading, and I’ll share everything you need to know to nail it every single time.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

One-Pan Simplicity: You cook everything in one skillet, which means less cleanup and more time to enjoy your meal.
Crispy, Juicy Chicken: The double breading technique locks in moisture while giving the chicken a perfect golden crust.
Melty Cheese & Savory Sauce: Fresh mozzarella and rich marinara come together beautifully for that iconic Chicken Parmesan flavor.
Family Favorite: My family goes crazy for this dish, and I bet yours will too once you try it!

A close-up of a black skillet filled with four pieces of golden brown fried chicken covered with thick white melted cheese on top, resting in a rich red tomato sauce with small pieces of green basil leaves scattered throughout. The crispy texture of the chicken contrasts with the smooth cheese and chunky sauce, and the skillet sits on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Skillet Chicken Parmesan, chicken parmesan recipe, easy chicken parmesan, one-pan chicken parmesan, crispy chicken parmesan

Ingredients You’ll Need

These ingredients come together in a way that’s super approachable but yields authentic, delicious results. I always recommend using good-quality marinara sauce for the best flavor, but store-bought works great if you’re short on time.

Flat lay of a few sprigs of fresh green basil, a small white bowl of coarse Italian breadcrumbs, a small white bowl of grated pale Parmesan cheese, a small white bowl of golden olive oil, a small white bowl of bright red marinara tomato sauce with visible tomato chunks, two whole uncracked brown eggs, several raw chicken cutlets with smooth pale pink skin, a small white bowl of all-purpose white flour, a small white bowl of finely diced translucent onion, two garlic cloves sliced thinly, a small white bowl of coarse black pepper, a small white bowl of fine white salt, a few thin slices of fresh white mozzarella cheese, a small pile of cooked yellowish spaghetti pasta strands, a small white bowl of red pepper flakes placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997 - Skillet Chicken Parmesan, chicken parmesan recipe, easy chicken parmesan, one-pan chicken parmesan, crispy chicken parmesan

Salt: Enhances all the flavors and seasons the chicken and coating perfectly.
Black pepper: Adds a subtle kick without overpowering the dish.
All-purpose flour: Creates the first layer of breading to help the egg and crumbs stick to the chicken.
Large egg: Acts as the glue that holds the breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese coating on the chicken.
Italian breadcrumbs: Provides that classic crispy texture and flavor; use panko for extra crunch.
Grated Parmesan cheese: Brings a cheesy punch right into the breading mix.
Chicken cutlets: Thin and tender, these cook quickly and evenly—perfect for skillet cooking.
Olive oil: For frying the chicken and building the sauce base—go for a good quality, fruity oil if possible.
Diced onion: Adds a mild sweetness to the marinara sauce.
Garlic cloves: Garlic sliced thin releases its aroma beautifully without burning.
Marinara tomato sauce: Homemade or store-bought works; this is the heart of your dish’s flavor.
Mozzarella cheese slices: Use fresh for gooey, melty perfection.
Fresh basil: Garnish for a bright, herbal note that wakes up the dish.
Red pepper flakes: Optional, but I love the little heat contrast it adds.
Cooked spaghetti or rice: Great for serving and soaking up all those yummy juices.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

Once you get comfortable with the basic Skillet Chicken Parmesan Recipe, you can switch things up to suit your tastes or dietary needs — don’t be afraid to get creative!

Gluten-Free Version: I replaced the all-purpose flour and breadcrumbs with gluten-free alternatives and was amazed at how well it held together and stayed crispy.
Spicy Twist: Sometimes, I add red pepper flakes into the breadcrumb mixture for an extra kick that my family loves.
Herby Breadcrumbs: Adding dried oregano and parsley into the breadcrumbs elevates the flavor without any extra effort.
Cheese Swap: If mozzarella isn’t your favorite, provolone or fontina work beautifully as meltier alternatives.

How to Make Skillet Chicken Parmesan Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Breading Station Like a Pro

Set yourself up for success by preparing three shallow bowls: one with a mix of salt, pepper, and flour; one with a whisked egg; and one with Italian breadcrumbs and grated Parmesan cheese. This three-step coating ensures every bit of chicken is perfectly breaded. Pro tip: After dredging the chicken in flour, gently shake off the excess—too much flour can make the crust soggy rather than crispy.

Step 2: Fry the Chicken Until Golden and Almost Cooked

Heat olive oil in a large, oven-safe skillet over medium heat—you’ll know it’s ready when breadcrumbs sizzle right away after you drop a few in. Fry each chicken cutlet for about 4 minutes per side until golden. They don’t need to be fully cooked here since they’ll finish in the oven. I learned the hard way that overcrowding the skillet makes the chicken steam instead of crisp up, so fry in batches if needed!

Step 3: Build Your Sauce and Melt That Cheese

After frying the chicken, carefully pour out the oil but leave a tablespoon behind to sauté the diced onion and sliced garlic—cook until the onion turns translucent, about 2 minutes. Add the marinara sauce and simmer gently. Nestle the chicken back into the sauce, top each piece with mozzarella slices, and bake in the oven until bubbly, cheese-melted, and chicken hits 165°F internally (about 10-12 minutes). This step seals everything together with that classic chicken parm taste.

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Pro Tips for Making Skillet Chicken Parmesan Recipe

Use Thin Chicken Cutlets: Thinner cutlets cook evenly and quickly, so you avoid dry outs or undercooked centers.
Don’t Skip the Resting: Let fried chicken rest on a wire rack briefly before adding back to the skillet; this keeps that crust extra crispy.
Oven-Safe Skillet is Key: Using a skillet that can go straight from cooktop to oven saves time and reduces mess.
Watch the Cheese Melt: Keep an eye on the cheese toward the end of baking—pull it out as soon as it’s bubbly to avoid overcooking.

How to Serve Skillet Chicken Parmesan Recipe

On a white plate, there is a base layer of light yellow spaghetti noodles spread in a circular shape. On top of the noodles is a thick layer of red tomato sauce with visible small chunks of tomato and herbs. Above the sauce lies a piece of browned, crispy chicken with a golden crust. Covering most of the chicken is a smooth, melted white cheese slice with some specks of black seasoning on it. A fork is lifting a piece of the chicken, showing its white inside. The plate is placed on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Skillet Chicken Parmesan, chicken parmesan recipe, easy chicken parmesan, one-pan chicken parmesan, crispy chicken parmesan

Garnishes

I always top mine with fresh basil leaves and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes—it adds a fresh, vibrant touch and a subtle heat that balances the richness wonderfully. Sometimes a light drizzle of extra virgin olive oil over the finished dish really brings it all together.

Side Dishes

This skillet chicken parmesan is delicious served over a bed of spaghetti, but I also love pairing it with garlic butter rice or even a simple arugula salad for a lighter contrast. Roasted veggies like asparagus or broccoli are perfect, too.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I like plating the chicken on individual warm pasta nests in shallow bowls, then adding a basil leaf and a spritz of lemon juice for brightness. It makes the dish feel fancy but doesn’t take extra time to prepare.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

After the chicken parmesan cools to room temperature, I pop leftovers into an airtight container and refrigerate. It keeps beautifully for 4 to 5 days. I once made extra purposely, and it was just as tasty the next day—perfect for meal prepping.

Freezing

If you want to freeze it, wrap portions tightly in plastic wrap and then foil or use freezer-safe containers. From my experience, freezing works well, but the texture of the crispy crust softens a bit after thawing—still delicious, just different.

Reheating

To revive your leftovers, I recommend reheating in a 325°F oven with some sauce spooned over the chicken to keep it moist—about 15 minutes should do it. Microwave can work, but the oven method keeps that crust from turning chewy.

FAQs

Can I use chicken breasts instead of cutlets for this recipe?

Yes, you can use chicken breasts, but be sure to slice them horizontally to create thinner cutlets or pound them to an even thickness. This helps them cook evenly and stay juicy without drying out.
Is it necessary to fry the chicken before baking?

Frying the chicken before baking is key to achieving that crispy crust and locking in moisture. Skipping this step may result in soggy breading and uneven cooking.
Can I make the sauce from scratch?

Absolutely! Homemade marinara sauce adds a fresh, vibrant flavor. Use tomatoes, garlic, onion, herbs, and a bit of olive oil simmered until thickened. But good store-bought marinara also works well if short on time.
How do I prevent the chicken from getting soggy?

Make sure to fry the chicken without overcrowding the pan so it crisps properly. Also, don’t add the cheese and sauce too far ahead of baking—adding them just before popping the skillet in the oven keeps the crust crispier.
What sides go best with skillet chicken parmesan?

Classic spaghetti or linguine tossed in olive oil or light marinara is a great choice. Rice, garlic bread, or roasted vegetables also complement this dish well, balancing the rich, cheesy chicken.

Final Thoughts

When I first tried this skillet chicken parmesan recipe, I was amazed at how it simplified the traditional method without sacrificing any of that amazing comfort-food flavor. It’s become one of my go-to dinners, especially when I want something satisfying but easy. I really hope you give it a try—I promise the crispy chicken, bubbling mozzarella, and tangy sauce will make it a favorite in your house too. Let me know how it turns out!