Ina Garten Chicken Parmesan With Tomato Sauce Recipe

This Ina Garten Chicken Parmesan With Tomato Sauce Recipe is a crispy and cheesy Italian-inspired dish, which uses boneless chicken breasts and homemade tomato sauce. It’s a restaurant-quality dish, ready in about 1 hour and 5 minutes.

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Ina Garten Chicken Parmesan With Tomato Sauce Ingredients

For the Chicken:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tablespoon water
• 1 cup seasoned breadcrumbs
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• ½ teaspoon dried oregano
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ cup olive oil (for frying)
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

For the Tomato Sauce:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 (28-ounce) can crushed San Marzano tomatoes
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
• 1 teaspoon sugar (if needed)
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• ¼ cup fresh basil, chopped

How To Make Ina Garten Chicken Parmesan With Tomato Sauce

1. Make the tomato sauce: Heat olive oil in a saucepan, sauté onion for 5 minutes, then add garlic and cook 1 more minute. Stir in tomatoes, oregano, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 20 minutes, then stir in basil.
2. Pound and season chicken: Flatten chicken breasts to ½-inch thick, then season with salt and pepper.
3. Bread the chicken: Dredge in flour, dip in beaten egg with water, then coat in breadcrumbs mixed with Parmesan, oregano, and garlic powder.
4. Fry the chicken: Heat olive oil in a skillet, fry chicken for 3–4 minutes per side until golden brown. Drain on paper towels.
5. Assemble and bake: Preheat oven to 400°F. Spread sauce in a baking dish, add chicken, top with more sauce and mozzarella. Bake 15 minutes until bubbly.
6. Serve hot: Garnish with Parmesan and fresh basil.

Recipe Tips

• Do I need to pound the chicken?
  Yes, pounding ensures even cooking and more tender results.
• Can I use store-bought sauce?
  You can, but homemade tomato sauce adds rich, fresh flavor.
• How to keep the crust crispy:
  Avoid over-saucing and bake uncovered for crispier results.
• Can I prepare it ahead of time?
  Yes, bread and fry the chicken ahead, then assemble and bake when ready to serve.
• Best cheese for chicken parmesan:
  Use low-moisture mozzarella for optimal melt and less sogginess.

What To Serve With Chicken Parmesan

This classic dish pairs perfectly with:

• Spaghetti or angel hair pasta
• Garlic bread or focaccia
• Caesar salad or arugula salad
• Roasted broccoli or green beans
• A glass of Chianti or Pinot Grigio

How To Store Chicken Parmesan

Refrigerate: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven for best texture.

Freeze: Freeze before baking for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight, then bake until heated through.

Chicken Parmesan Nutrition Facts

• Calories: 675
• Carbohydrates: 30g
• Protein: 48g
• Fat: 40g
• Saturated Fat: 15g
• Cholesterol: 170mg
• Sodium: 840mg
• Fiber: 3g
• Sugar: 6g
• Calcium: 280mg
• Iron: 4mg

Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.

FAQs

Can I bake instead of fry the chicken?
Yes. Bake breaded chicken at 425°F for 20–25 minutes, flipping halfway through.

Why is my breading falling off?
Press the breadcrumbs firmly onto the chicken and avoid flipping too early when frying.

Is it okay to use chicken thighs?
Yes, boneless thighs work well—just adjust cook time as needed.

Can I make it gluten-free?
Yes, use gluten-free flour and breadcrumbs as substitutes.

Try More Recipes:

• Ina Garten Spring Green Risotto Recipe
• Ina Garten Vegetable Lasagna Recipe
• Ina Garten Chicken With Buttered Noodles Recipe