The Barefoot Contessa’s Perfect Chicken Parmesan Recipe

Chicken parmesan brings together crisp breading, savory sauce, and melted cheese in one irresistible dish.

Italian flavors make each bite comforting and bold without needing complicated ingredients.

The golden crust locks in moisture while providing the perfect base for marinara and mozzarella.

Whether served over pasta or on its own, it always satisfies.

Home cooks love how quickly this meal comes together.

Expect applause at the table after the first slice.

What Makes Chicken Parmesan a True Crowd Pleaser

• Create Restaurant-Quality Meal at Home: Transform your kitchen into a gourmet restaurant by mastering this simple yet elegant chicken parmesan recipe that delivers professional-level flavors with minimal cooking skills.
• Perfectly Crispy Texture Guaranteed: The three-step coating process (flour, egg, bread crumbs) ensures a golden-brown, crunchy exterior that locks in moisture and creates an irresistible texture contrast with the tender chicken.
• Quick Weeknight Dinner Solution: Preparing this dish takes just about 30 minutes from start to finish, making it an ideal option for busy families wanting a delicious, satisfying meal without spending hours in the kitchen.
• Versatile Dish with Elegant Finish: The recipe includes a fresh salad topping and Parmesan garnish, elevating a classic comfort food into a light, balanced meal that looks and tastes like something from a sophisticated Italian restaurant.

Stock Up for This Cheesy Chicken Favorite

• Chicken Breasts: Tender meat as the star of the dish, choose fresh and boneless for best results.

• All-Purpose Flour, Salt, Black Pepper: Creates a seasoned base layer for crispy coating.
• Eggs, Water: Helps bread crumbs stick to chicken and provides moisture.
• Bread Crumbs, Parmesan Cheese: Gives a golden, crunchy exterior with rich cheese flavor.

• Butter, Olive Oil: Provides rich flavor and helps achieve perfect golden-brown chicken, use unsalted butter for better control of seasoning.

• Baby Salad Greens: Fresh, light accompaniment to the chicken.
• Lemon Vinaigrette: Adds bright, tangy flavor to balance the rich chicken.

• Parmesan Cheese: Extra cheese for topping, shaved or grated for added texture and taste.

Bake, Fry, and Love Your Chicken Parm Night

Step 1: Tenderize Chicken Breasts

Use a meat mallet or rolling pin to flatten chicken breasts until they reach a uniform thickness of 1/4 inch. This helps ensure even cooking and creates a tender texture.

Step 2: Create Coating Stations

Set up three separate shallow dishes for breading:

• Flour
• Salt
• Black pepper

• Beaten eggs
• Water

• Breadcrumbs
• Grated Parmesan cheese

• Dredging in flour mixture
• Dipping in egg wash
• Rolling in breadcrumb blend

Press coating gently to help it adhere.

Step 3: Sizzle Chicken to Golden Perfection

• Butter
• Olive oil

• 2-3 minutes per side
• Ensure golden brown exterior
• Cook until internal temperature reaches 165°F

Transfer cooked chicken to a warming plate.

Step 4: Craft Fresh Side Salad

Toss baby salad greens with zesty lemon vinaigrette for a bright, refreshing accompaniment.

Step 5: Plate and Garnish

Arrange chicken on serving plates

Top with dressed salad greens

Sprinkle additional Parmesan cheese

Serve immediately while chicken remains crisp and warm

Tips That Turn Chicken Parmesan Into a Masterpiece

• Pound Like a Pro: Ensure chicken breasts are uniformly ¼-inch thick using a meat mallet or rolling pin for consistent, juicy cooking that prevents dry edges.
• Egg Wash Magic: Dip chicken thoroughly in beaten eggs to create a perfect sticky surface that helps breadcrumbs adhere and delivers an extra crispy golden crust.
• Fat Flavor Fusion: Combining butter and olive oil creates a delicious cooking medium that adds rich taste while preventing burning and achieving beautiful browning.
• Oven-Warming Technique: Maintain chicken's ideal temperature and texture by placing cooked pieces on a sheet pan in a low 200°F oven while preparing remaining batches.
• Bright Salad Companion: Pair chicken parmesan with a zesty lemon vinaigrette salad to introduce refreshing acidity that cuts through the dish's richness and balances flavors.

How to Save the Crispy Layers for Later

• Freezing: Protect your Chicken Parmesan by wrapping individual portions tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Seal inside freezer-safe containers to maintain maximum flavor and texture for up to 3 months. Label each package with the date to track freshness.
• Refrigeration: Store leftovers in airtight containers, keeping the crispy coating intact. Consume within 3 days for the best taste and quality. Place in the coldest part of your refrigerator to preserve the dish's delicate flavors.
• Reheating: Restore the crispy exterior by warming in a preheated oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes. Cover with foil during the first half of reheating to prevent moisture loss and maintain juiciness.

Parmesan Upgrades You Didn’t Know You Needed

• Zesty Mediterranean Chicken: Replace bread crumbs with herbed panko, add dried oregano and basil to the coating. Top with crumbled feta cheese and serve with a Greek-style salad.
• Spicy Southwest Chicken: Mix chili powder and cumin into the flour mixture. Use pepper jack cheese instead of Parmesan. Serve with a fresh corn and black bean salsa on top.
• Crispy Herb-Crusted Chicken: Incorporate fresh chopped parsley, thyme, and rosemary into the bread crumb mixture. Add lemon zest for extra brightness. Pair with a light arugula salad dressed in a light champagne vinaigrette.
• Gluten-Free Almond Chicken: Substitute wheat flour with almond flour and use gluten-free bread crumbs. Add ground almonds to the coating for extra crunch. Serve with a simple spinach salad and lemon wedges.

Say Ciao to the Cheesy Legend That Lingers

Barefoot Contessa’s Chicken Parmesan emerges as a culinary masterpiece that dances between rustic comfort and elegant sophistication.

Mediterranean influences shine through each carefully crafted layer of crispy, golden chicken.

Parmesan cheese creates a magical coating that elevates simple ingredients into something extraordinary.

Lemon vinaigrette adds bright complexity, cutting through rich protein with zesty precision.

Delicate salad greens provide a fresh counterpoint, balancing hearty chicken with light, crisp notes.

Passionate cooks seeking authentic flavor will adore this recipe that transforms ordinary dinner into a memorable experience – so grab those ingredients, channel your inner Ina Garten, and let curiosity lead toward delicious exploration.

Savor each bite, share this recipe’s magic, comment with your kitchen adventures, and spread culinary joy!

Barefoot Contessa Chicken Parmesan Recipe

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4.6 from 23 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s Barefoot Contessa Chicken Parmesan delivers classic Italian-American comfort with restaurant-quality elegance. Crispy golden chicken breasts nestle under melted mozzarella, creating a delightful dinner that brings Mediterranean warmth to your table.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Dry Ingredients:

• 125 grams (4.4 ounces) all-purpose flour
• 150 grams (5.3 ounces) seasoned dry bread crumbs
• 50 grams (1.8 ounces) finely grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for serving
• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper

Wet and Liquid Ingredients:

• 2 extra-large eggs
• 30 grams (1 ounce) unsalted butter
• 30 milliliters (1 fluid ounce) good olive oil
• 60 milliliters (2 fluid ounces) freshly squeezed lemon juice (about 2 lemons)
• 120 milliliters (4 fluid ounces) good olive oil
• Baby salad greens for 6, washed and spun dry

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Instructions

1. Gently flatten chicken breasts to an even ¼-inch (0.6 centimeters) thickness using a meat mallet or rolling pin, ensuring uniform cooking and tender texture.
2. Create three separate preparation stations: first, mix all-purpose flour with salt and black pepper on a dinner plate; second, whisk eggs with water in a shallow bowl; third, combine breadcrumbs with finely grated Parmesan cheese on another plate.
3. Meticulously coat each chicken breast by first dredging in seasoned flour, ensuring complete coverage; next, dip thoroughly in egg mixture, allowing excess to drip off; finally, press chicken into breadcrumb and cheese mixture, guaranteeing a crisp, even exterior.
4. Warm a large sauté pan over medium-low heat, adding butter and olive oil to create a golden cooking surface. Cook chicken breasts in batches, allowing 2 to 3 minutes per side until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit (74 degrees Celsius).
5. Transfer cooked chicken to a clean plate, keeping warm in a low-temperature oven if necessary. Replenish butter and oil between batches to maintain consistent cooking conditions.
6. Toss baby salad greens with prepared lemon vinaigrette just before serving, ensuring leaves are lightly and evenly coated.
7. Present each chicken breast on individual plates, elegantly topped with a delicate mound of dressed salad greens and garnish with additional shaved or grated Parmesan cheese.

Notes

• Serve alongside a bright, zesty salad that cuts through the chicken’s richness with fresh lemon vinaigrette, balancing every crispy bite.
• Pop cooked chicken pieces into a warm oven at 200°F to maintain perfect temperature without compromising texture when preparing multiple batches.
• Blend butter and olive oil for cooking to create an unbeatable flavor profile that prevents burning while adding delicious golden-brown crispiness.
• Dunk chicken thoroughly in egg wash before breading to guarantee maximum crumb adherence and a seriously crunchy exterior.
• Flatten chicken breasts uniformly to ¼-inch thickness using a meat mallet, ensuring consistent cooking and preventing dry, tough meat.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 291
• Sugar: 2.65g
• Sodium: 615mg
• Fat: 12.38g
• Saturated Fat: 3.912g
• Carbohydrates: 12.18g
• Fiber: 1.1g
• Protein: 22.83g
• Cholesterol: 108mg