This Ina Garten Chicken Parmesan with Arugula Recipe is a crispy and elegant meal, which includes breaded chicken cutlets and fresh arugula salad. It’s a restaurant-quality dish, ready in just 30 minutes.
Jump to RecipeIna Garten Chicken Parmesan With Arugula Recipe Ingredients
For the chicken:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, butterflied and pounded thin
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs, beaten with 1 tablespoon water
- 1½ cups seasoned breadcrumbs (or plain with Italian seasoning)
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for topping
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- Olive oil, for frying
For the arugula salad:
- 4–5 cups baby arugula
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1/4 cup good olive oil
- Kosher salt and black pepper, to taste
- Shaved Parmesan, for topping

How To Make Ina Garten Chicken Parmesan With Arugula
- Dredge the chicken: Place flour, beaten eggs, and breadcrumbs in separate shallow dishes. Season the flour with salt and pepper. Dip each chicken breast first in flour, then egg, then breadcrumbs, pressing gently to coat.
- Pan-fry the cutlets: Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Fry each chicken cutlet for 2–3 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate and sprinkle with freshly grated Parmesan while hot.
- Make the arugula salad: In a bowl, whisk together lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Add the arugula and toss gently to coat.
- Assemble and serve: Place each chicken breast on a plate. Top with a handful of arugula salad and finish with shaved Parmesan. Serve immediately.

Recipe Tips
-
Can I bake the chicken instead of frying?
Yes, bake at 400°F for about 20 minutes, flipping halfway through. -
How to get crispier breading:
Use panko breadcrumbs and press them firmly onto the chicken. -
Can I prep this in advance?
You can dredge the chicken ahead, but cook fresh for best texture. -
Best oil for frying:
Use olive oil or a neutral oil like avocado or canola. -
Can I add tomato sauce?
This version skips it for a fresher take, but you can drizzle warm marinara on the chicken if desired.
What To Serve With Chicken Parmesan And Arugula
This lightened-up Chicken Parmesan pairs well with simple, flavorful sides:
- Garlic bread or crusty baguette
- Lemon orzo or angel hair pasta
- Roasted vegetables (like asparagus or zucchini)
- A glass of white wine (such as Sauvignon Blanc)

How To Store Chicken Parmesan With Arugula
Refrigerate:
Store leftover chicken in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Store arugula salad separately.
Reheat:
Reheat chicken in the oven at 350°F until warmed through. Do not microwave if you want to keep it crispy.
Chicken Parmesan Nutrition Facts
- Calories: ~525
- Protein: 40g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fat: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 3g
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Yes, boneless skinless thighs work great—just cook until internal temp hits 165°F.
How do I keep the breading from falling off?
Make sure the chicken is dry and press the coating on firmly. Let it rest for 10 minutes before frying.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
Not as written, but you can use gluten-free flour and breadcrumbs.
Can I use bagged arugula?
Yes, baby arugula from a bag works perfectly.
How to make it more filling?
Add a side of pasta or mashed potatoes for a heartier meal.
Try More Recipes:
- Ina Garten Chicken Cutlets Recipe
- Contessa Pasta Fagioli Recipe
- Ina Garten Grilled Lemon Chicken Recipe
Ina Garten Chicken Parmesan With Arugula Recipe
Course: DinnerCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy2
servings15
minutes15
minutes525
kcalA crisp and savory chicken cutlet topped with a fresh lemony arugula salad and Parmesan—an easy and elegant weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
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2 chicken breasts, butterflied and pounded thin
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1 cup flour
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2 eggs + 1 tbsp water
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1½ cups seasoned breadcrumbs
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1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
-
Salt and pepper
-
Olive oil for frying
- Salad:
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4–5 cups arugula
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2 tbsp lemon juice
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1/4 cup olive oil
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Salt and pepper
-
Shaved Parmesan
Directions
- Dredge chicken in flour, egg, then breadcrumbs.
- Fry in olive oil 2–3 minutes per side until golden.
- Whisk lemon juice, oil, salt, and pepper. Toss with arugula.
- Serve chicken topped with salad and shaved Parmesan.
