Description
This easy Chicken Parmesan recipe features tender, breaded chicken breasts cooked to golden perfection, topped with rich natural tomato sauce and melted plant-based cheese. Ready in under 30 minutes, it offers a simple, family-friendly Italian comfort meal with fresh herbs and pantry staples, perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Breading
- 2 chicken breasts, thinly sliced into cutlets
- 1 cup bread crumbs (panko or classic)
- 1/2 cup egg substitute or aquafaba
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Sauce and Toppings
- 1 1/2 cups crushed tomatoes or marinara sauce (natural)
- 1 cup plant-based cheese (plant-based), shredded or sliced
- 6–8 fresh basil leaves
- 1 tsp vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural)
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Trim and slice the chicken breasts into even, thin cutlets for quick and even cooking. Season both sides of each cutlet with salt and pepper to enhance the flavor.
- Bread the Chicken: Set up two shallow bowls, one with the egg substitute or aquafaba and the other with bread crumbs. Dip each chicken cutlet into the egg substitute, then thoroughly coat with bread crumbs, pressing gently to ensure the crumbs stick well.
- Fry Until Golden: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Fry each breaded chicken cutlet for about 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and crispy. Remove and place on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
- Assemble and Bake: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Arrange the fried chicken cutlets in a baking dish. Mix minced garlic and vegetarian Worcestershire sauce into the crushed tomatoes or marinara sauce, then spoon the sauce generously over each cutlet. Sprinkle the plant-based cheese evenly on top and add fresh basil leaves. Bake for 10 minutes or until the cheese melts and the sauce bubbles.
- Serve and Enjoy: Remove the cooked Chicken Parmesan from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld and make slicing easier.
Notes
- Use uniformly thin chicken cutlets to ensure even cooking without drying out.
- Press bread crumbs firmly onto the chicken to help the coating stay intact during frying.
- Cook in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan and maintain oil temperature for a crisp crust.
- Use a homemade or high-quality marinara sauce for the best flavor.
- Let the dish rest a few minutes after baking to enhance flavor melding.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: Chicken Parmesan, Plant-based cheese, Italian comfort food, Quick dinner, Family-friendly recipe
