17 Best Chicken Parmigiana Recipes [Topping Ideas & Sauce Variations] (2024)

Crispy bread-crumbed chicken, herby marinara sauce, and oozing mozzarella cheese. These are the best chicken parmigiana recipes.

Chicken parmigiana (or Parmesan) is the hearty Italian/American classic we all know and love. For me, even the faintest scent of parmigiana is enough to bring back warm childhood memories of having this comfort meal for dinner. I have tried to recreate my mom’s, but it’s just not the same… Thankfully however, some of the more benevolent people of the internet have me spoiled for choice with their fantastic versions of the classic.

From healthy to “maybe I’ll need another half hour at the gym,” we’ve cherry-picked eleven of the best out there because goodness knows, there certainly isn’t a shortage of them. Of course, a classic is a classic, but making subtle changes to your chicken parmigiana recipe can really make things a little more interesting.

If you feel like changing up the tried and tested recipe, or simply want to drool over these recipes for a few minutes, let’s take a look at our roundup of chicken parmigiana heaven.

Crispy Chicken Parmesan

Like I said, a classic is a classic, so why improve on it? Here is the perfect summation of your classic, bread and butter chicken parmigiana, and that is by no means a slight!

Crispy bread-crumbed chicken, herby marinara sauce and oozing mozzarella cheese, sometimes there’s no need to build on an old favorite.

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Baked Breaded Cutlets

If you’re counting those calories then we feel for you, but there’s no reason why you have to miss out on having chicken parm for dinner.

For something a little healthier, this one has the health conscious in mind. As a pose to frying the chicken, why not bake it? We can guarantee the taste without the guilt… well, not too much guilt.

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Authentic Hearty Italian Parmesan

For a little more Italian authenticity look no further.

If you’re tired of panko breadcrumbs, try making your own. Or you could go one step further and make authentic Italian breadcrumbs. Check out the link to the San Marzano tomato sauce at the bottom of the page too for a rich Italian style tomato sauce.

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Cheat’s Chicken Parmigiana

Why run when you can walk? If you don’t have much time on your hands, or you’re new to cooking chicken parm, maybe take a few shortcuts?

Cooking chicken parmigiana entirely from scratch can be time-consuming, so here’s a simple and easy way out for making chicken parmigiana. Buying a pre-made marinara sauce will save you time, just make sure you find a quality sauce so as not to substitute flavor for simplicity.

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Easy Parmigiana with Arrabbiata Sauce

For the non-calorie counters, we salute you with this recipe of chicken parmigiana served over a bed of fettuccine Alfredo. It’s two sublime tastes of Italian/American cuisine in one!

If you want extra tenderness from the chicken try tenderloin too. Please don’t complain if you can’t get up from your chair after eating this recipe — you know it was worth it!

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Marinara Sauce and Fresh Mozzarella Cheese

Maintaining the crispiness of the breadcrumbs in your chicken parm can often prove to be difficult. Nobody likes a soggy bottom! Why not use both panko and regular, Italian seasoned breadcrumbs? It helps in providing that much-needed crisp.

If that’s not enough crispiness, spoon the marinara sauce on the chicken right before serving. You won’t regret it when you’re all aboard the flavor express ending at flavor city… sorry, I’ll stop now.

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Stuffed Chicken Parmesan

Why didn’t anyone think of this sooner? Rather than coating the chicken in cheese, slice open the chicken breast and stuff it!

Watching a knife cut into to a gooey, cheesy center actually makes my mouth water. It’s not just for mouth watering purposes either; stuffing the breast with mozzarella cheese keeps the meat tender as well as tasting great.

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Bocconcini Parmigiana

For the cheese enthusiasts you probably already know how to distinguish between your burrata and bocconcini. For the rest of us — they’re just different types of mozzarella.

Mix it up! Mozzarella isn’t just mozzarella, who knew? Using bocconcini mozzarella instead of regular old mozzarella will add a subtle yet tasty distinction to your chicken parmigiana. Oh, and you can sound like a fully-fledged foodie at dinner parties.

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Breaded Chicken Cutlets Parmigiana with Pasta

Sometimes subtle alterations to run-of-the-mill ingredients and recipes make a world of difference to your taste buds.

Rather than olive oil why not try avocado oil? And for extra juicy chicken, why not brine it overnight in salt water? Double dipping the chicken in the egg and breadcrumbs also makes for an extra layer of crispy goodness.

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Easy Crispy Panko Parmesan

You don’t always have to top your chicken parmigiana with mozzarella cheese; provolone is an equally tasty alternative as this recipe proves.

If you’re in a cheesy kind of mood, you could always add mozzarellaandprovolone cheese; of course that’s not forgetting the Parmesan too. If you want your homemade marinara sauce to be smooth, be sure to blend it to get rid of those chunks.

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Ham and Chicken Parmigiana

Remember earlier when I said, why build on a classic? Well, this recipe is living proof that you most certainly can by simply adding ham!

Granted, it’s a simple change, but nonetheless effective. Just before you top the pan-fried chicken with cheese, add ham and diced tomatoes. Who says you need to be Gordon Ramsay to add flavor to your dishes? Just add ham, that’s my motto!

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Crispy Mozzarella Crusted Parmesan

This recipe uses the deliciousness of two types of cheese to make a twist on chicken Parmigiana that is delightfully savory, crisp, and juicy. Mozzarella and parmesan combine with ranch dressing and bread crumbs to make the cheese topping.

To make this recipe, marinate the chicken breasts in Italian dressing, Worcestershire sauce, and spices. Cook the chicken breasts on each side, top with the cheese mixture, then finish under a broiler to melt the cheese.

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Stuffed Shells

This delicious dinner idea combines the cheesy, savory flavors of chicken Parmigiana in a delicious baked pasta dish. Stuffed shells are a filling, easy way to feed a crowd and this recipe is the perfect comfort food.

To make this recipe, you will need jumbo pasta shells, marinara sauce, chicken breast, mozzarella, ricotta, and Parmesan cheese. Cook the pasta shells according to the package instructions. Then, make the filling by combining sautéed, cubed chicken breasts with a cheese mixture. Stuff the shells with the filling, top with marinara sauce and cheese, and then bake.

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Chicken Parm Grilled Cheese

The only thing better than one comfort food is two comfort foods combined into one delicious, indulgent recipe, such as this chicken Parm grilled cheese, which is perfect for lunch, dinner, or even a hearty midnight snack.

The main ingredients include sliced bread, marinara sauce, shredded mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses, and breaded chicken (either frozen or pre-cooked). Butter one slice of bread and top the other with marinara sauce, cheese, and the chicken cutlet. Once the sandwich is cooked on both sides, top with more sauce and cheese, and then broil.

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One Pan Parm & Roasted Zucchini

One-pan dinners are a lifesaver during busy weeknights. This recipe combines a comfort food favorite in the form of chicken parmesan with a healthy serving of vegetables.

You will need chicken breasts, bread crumbs, Parmesan and mozzarella cheeses, and marinara for the chicken, plus zucchini for the vegetables. Bake the breaded chicken for 15 minutes, then add seasoned, sliced zucchini. During the last few minutes of baking, top the chicken with sauce and cheese and broil.

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Egg & Breadcrumb Pizza

This recipe combines two cheesy Italian-American classics into one meal that is sure to be a hit whether you are feeding a crowd or just your family. The recipe is low-carb thanks to the large chicken cutlet, which acts as the pizza “crust.”

The main ingredients are ground chicken, panko breadcrumbs, eggs, pizza sauce, and cheese (the standard mixture of mozzarella and Parmesan will do). Start by making the patty by combining the ground chicken with seasonings and pressing into a pan shape. Then, bread and fry the chicken patties. Top with marinara sauce and cheese and serve.

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Meatballs

These delicious, cheesy meatballs are packed with juiciness and flavor, so you never have to worry about dry meatballs again! Mix ground chicken with egg, grated Parmesan, Panko breadcrumbs, and plenty of seasonings to form the meatball base.

To cook these meatballs, bread the balls and bake in a pan with marinara sauce.

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