Description
This Cheese-Stuffed Chicken Parmesan is a delicious twist on the classic Italian comfort food. Juicy chicken breasts are stuffed with gooey mozzarella cheese, breaded with seasoned flour and Italian breadcrumbs, then pan-fried to golden perfection before being baked in marinara sauce and topped with melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. The result is a crispy, cheesy, flavorful dish perfect for a hearty family dinner or special occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Stuffing
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 2 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese (divided)
- ½ cup shredded Parmesan cheese (divided)
Breading Mixtures
- ½ cup flour
- 1 ¼ teaspoons seasoned salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- 2 eggs, whisked
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 cup Italian breadcrumbs
Cooking Fats and Sauce
- 2 Tablespoons butter
- 3 Tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cups marinara sauce
Garnish
- Fresh parsley
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels to remove any moisture, which helps the coating stick better. Cut a pocket into the center of each breast by slicing horizontally but not all the way through. For easier cutting, flash freeze the chicken for 10-15 minutes beforehand.
- Stuff the Chicken: Stuff each chicken breast pocket with 2-3 tablespoons of shredded mozzarella cheese. Carefully close the opening to seal in the cheese.
- Set Up Breading Stations: On Plate #1, combine ½ cup flour, 1 ¼ teaspoons seasoned salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper. In Bowl #2, whisk 2 eggs with ½ teaspoon garlic powder. On Plate #3, mix 1 cup Italian breadcrumbs with ¼ cup shredded Parmesan cheese.
- Bread the Chicken: Coat each stuffed chicken breast in the flour mixture, tapping off excess. Dip into the egg wash to lightly coat, letting extra drip off. Finally, coat thoroughly in the breadcrumb and Parmesan mixture.
- Brown the Chicken: Heat olive oil and butter in a large pan over medium heat. Brown the chicken breasts in batches, ensuring space around each piece to crisp the edges. Cook each side for about 4 minutes until golden brown. Use two spatulas for careful flipping. Remove and place on paper towel-lined plate to absorb excess oil.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare for Baking: Preheat your oven to 400°F (204°C). Return the browned chicken to the pan or transfer to a lightly greased casserole dish. Spoon marinara sauce around and over the chicken breasts.
- Add Cheese and Bake: Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese generously over the chicken and sauce. Bake uncovered for 20 minutes. For extra browning on top, increase the oven temperature to 450°F (232°C) and bake just until cheese browns, watching carefully to prevent burning.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from oven, garnish with fresh parsley, and serve hot for a cheesy, crispy, and comforting meal.
Notes
- Flash freezing the chicken for 10-15 minutes before slicing helps create a neat pocket for stuffing.
- Use a large oven-safe pan or transfer the chicken to a greased casserole dish before baking.
- Paper towels help absorb excess oil after frying for crispier chicken.
- Watch closely when increasing oven temperature to brown cheese to avoid burning.
- This dish pairs wonderfully with a side of pasta, steamed vegetables, or a fresh salad.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: Chicken Parmesan, Cheese stuffed chicken, Italian chicken recipe, Baked chicken, Mozzarella stuffed chicken, Easy chicken parmesan
