Getting chicken parmesan just right can be tricky – too little time and you’re serving raw chicken (yuck!), too much time and you’ve got dry, rubbery chicken that nobody wants I’ve been cooking this Italian-American classic for years, and I’m here to share the perfect timing secrets so your chicken parm comes out crispy, juicy, and absolutely delicious every time
Quick Answer: Chicken Parmesan Cooking Times
For most home cooks. you’ll want to bake chicken parmesan at 375°F to 400°F for approximately
- 20-25 minutes for fresh, pre-fried chicken cutlets
- 25-30 minutes when the chicken is previously cooked by frying
- 45-50 minutes if using raw breaded chicken (not pre-fried)
But wait – there’s more to it than just setting a timer! Let’s dive into all the factors that affect your cooking time
Factors That Affect Chicken Parmesan Cooking Time
Several things can change how long your chicken parm needs in the oven:
1. Chicken Thickness
This is HUGE! Thinner chicken cooks faster while thicker pieces need more time.
- Thin cutlets (1/4 inch): About 20 minutes
- Standard thickness: 25-30 minutes
- Thick chicken breasts: Up to 45 minutes
Pro tip: I always pound my chicken to about 1/2 inch thickness for even cooking. It’s totally worth the extra effort!
2. Pre-Cooking Method
Are you pan-frying the chicken before it goes in the oven? This makes a big difference:
- Raw breaded chicken directly into oven: 40-45 minutes
- Pre-fried chicken: 20-25 minutes (plus 5-10 minutes after adding sauce and cheese)
3. Oven Temperature
Higher temps cook faster but risk burning the outside before the inside is done:
- 350°F: 30-35 minutes (gentler cooking, less crispy coating)
- 375°F: 25-30 minutes (the sweet spot for most recipes)
- 400°F: 20-25 minutes (crispier coating, watch carefully!)
Step-by-Step: How to Cook Perfect Chicken Parmesan
Let me walk you through my foolproof method for making amazing chicken parm in the oven:
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Salt and freshly cracked black pepper
- All-purpose flour
- Italian seasoning
- Eggs
- Panko bread crumbs
- Grated Parmesan cheese
- Cooking oil (avocado or vegetable oil work great)
- Marinara sauce
- Mozzarella cheese (fresh or shredded)
- Fresh herbs for garnish (optional)
Preparation Steps:
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Prepare the chicken: Pound chicken breasts to about 1/2 inch thickness. If using a large chicken breast (about 10 oz), cut it horizontally through the center to make two thinner pieces.
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Season well: Don’t skimp on salt and pepper! Season both sides of the chicken generously.
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Set up your dredging station: Create three shallow dishes:
- Dish 1: Flour mixed with Italian seasoning
- Dish 2: Beaten eggs
- Dish 3: Panko breadcrumbs mixed with Parmesan cheese
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Bread the chicken: Dip each piece first in flour, then egg, then breadcrumb mixture, pressing to adhere.
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Pre-cook the chicken: For the crispiest results, pan-fry the breaded chicken in hot oil for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown. (If skipping this step, your oven time will be longer.)
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Prep for baking: Preheat your oven to 375°F. Place the chicken on a parchment-lined baking sheet or in a baking dish.
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Add toppings: Spread marinara sauce over each piece and top with mozzarella cheese.
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Bake: Put the chicken in the oven for 20-25 minutes if pre-fried, or 40-45 minutes if raw.
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Check for doneness: Use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
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Broil (optional): For an extra bubbly, browned cheese top, broil for 1-2 minutes at the end.
How to Tell When Chicken Parmesan is Done
The absolute BEST way to know your chicken is done is to use a meat thermometer. Insert it into the thickest part of the chicken – it should read 165°F.
Other signs include:
- Chicken feels firm when pressed
- No pink remains inside when cut
- Juices run clear
- Cheese is melted and bubbly
But seriously, just get a meat thermometer – they’re cheap and take all the guesswork out!
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Trust me, I’ve made ALL these mistakes before:
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Undercooking the chicken: This is dangerous! Chicken must reach 165°F to kill harmful bacteria.
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Overcooking: Results in dry, tough chicken. Use that thermometer!
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Not salting immediately after frying: Always sprinkle a little salt on the chicken right after frying for the best flavor.
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Skipping the resting period: Let the chicken rest on paper towels for a few minutes after frying to absorb excess oil.
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Using low-quality marinara: The sauce makes a big difference! Rao’s is often recommended, but any high-quality marinara works well.
What About Frozen Chicken Parmesan?
Starting with frozen chicken? Here’s what you need to know:
- Always thaw completely first for even cooking
- Expect to add 5-10 minutes to the cooking time
- Check the internal temperature carefully, as frozen chicken often cooks unevenly
Perfect Side Dishes for Chicken Parmesan
Make it a complete meal with these perfect pairings:
- Pasta tossed with garlic butter or extra marinara
- Roasted garlic bread
- Caesar salad
- Roasted vegetables
- Sautéed spinach or broccoli
FAQs About Cooking Chicken Parmesan
Q: Can I tell if chicken parmesan is done just by looking at it?
A: Nope! Always use a meat thermometer to check that it’s reached 165°F internally.
Q: Can I cook chicken parmesan faster by increasing the oven temperature?
A: Not recommended – you’ll likely burn the outside while the inside stays raw. Stick to 375-400°F.
Q: Can I use pre-cooked chicken for chicken parmesan?
A: Yes! If using pre-cooked chicken, you only need to bake until the cheese melts and everything is heated through, about 10-15 minutes.
Q: Do I need to cover chicken parmesan while baking?
A: Generally no – keeping it uncovered helps maintain the crispy texture. If the top is browning too quickly, you can loosely cover with foil.
My Final Tips for Perfect Chicken Parmesan
After years of making this dish, here are my top tips:
- Double-dip the chicken in the breading for an extra crispy coating
- Use panko breadcrumbs for maximum crispiness
- Fresh mozzarella gives a wonderful texture, but regular shredded works great too
- Always let the chicken rest after frying before adding sauce and cheese
- Fresh basil sprinkled on top after baking adds amazing flavor
Cooking chicken parmesan in the oven is pretty straightforward once you understand the timing. Remember, the key is getting that internal temperature to 165°F while keeping the outside crispy and the cheese perfectly melted. Follow these guidelines, and you’ll have a restaurant-quality meal right at home!
Now go make some amazing chicken parm and wow your family or dinner guests! They’ll think you’ve been taking secret cooking classes.
How to Make Chicken Parmesan for Two
- Preheat the oven to 400 F. Line a quarter-sized baking sheet with a wire baking rack, then lay a layer of paper towels on top of the baking rack. Set aside.
- Cut the large chicken breast in half, keeping your knife parallel to the cutting board to create a thin top half and thin bottom half of chicken. (see photos above for reference.)
- Place one of the chicken breast halves between two sheets of plastic wrap. Pound the chicken with a meat mallet until it is 1/4″ thick. Repeat with remaining chicken breast half. Season both chicken breast halves generously with salt and pepper on both sides and set aside.
- Gather three shallow dishes. In one dish, combine the flour, Italian seasoning, and a pinch each of salt and pepper. Stir to combine. In the second shallow dish, beat the egg. In the third shallow dish, combine the panko bread crumbs and Parmesan cheese.
- Dip one of the chicken breast halves into the flour mixture, coating both sides thoroughly. Shake off any excess, then dip it into the egg, again coating both sides and letting any excess drip off. Press the chicken into the bread crumb mixture, coating both sides thoroughly. Set aside and repeat with second chicken breast half.
- Heat ¼” of oil in a pan over medium-high heat until the oil shimmers. Again working one a time, cook the chicken in the oil for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and crispy. Transfer the crispy chicken to the prepared baking sheet (on top of the paper towel-lined wire rack), and immediately sprinkle with a pinch of salt.
- Repeat with second chicken breast half, letting both rest on the paper towels to absorb any excess oil for a minute or two.
- Remove the paper towels from underneath the chicken. Divide the marinara sauce over the tops of the chicken, followed by the mozzarella. Bake for 8-10 minutes at 400 F until cheese is browned and bubbly.
- Garnish with freshly chopped basil and serve hot!
Quick Recipe Note: Broil the chicken parmesan for a couple of minutes after it’s done baking for that browned, bubbly, cheesy top. Don’t overdo it though: any of the crispy chicken that is not covered with sauce or cheese will start to burn if it broils too long.
See below for step-by-step photos and directions. These directions are a little more specific, and walk you through the entire process of making Crispy Chicken Parmesan.
Step 1: Preheat the oven to 400 F. Line a baking sheet with a wire baking rack, then lay a layer of paper towels on top of the baking rack. Set aside.
Step 2: Cut the large chicken breast in half, keeping your knife parallel to the cutting board to create a thin top half and thin bottom half of chicken. (see photos above for reference.)
Step 3: Place one of the chicken breast between two sheets of plastic wrap. Pound the chicken with a meat mallet until it is 1/4″ thick. Repeat with remaining chicken breast half. Season both chicken breast halves generously with salt and pepper on both sides and set aside.
Step 4: Gather three shallow dishes. In one dish, combine the flour, Italian seasoning, and a pinch each of salt and pepper. Stir to combine. In the second shallow dish, beat the egg. In the third shallow dish, combine the panko bread crumbs and Parmesan cheese.
Step 5: Dip one of the chicken breast halves into the flour mixture, coating both sides thoroughly. Shake off any excess, then dip it into the egg, again coating both sides and letting any excess drip off. Press the chicken into the bread crumb mixture, coating both sides thoroughly. Set aside and repeat with second chicken breast half.
Step 6: Heat ¼” of oil in a pan over medium-high heat until the oil shimmers. Again working one a time, cook the chicken in the oil for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and crispy. Transfer the crispy chicken to the prepared baking sheet (on top of the paper towel-lined wire rack), and immediately sprinkle with a pinch of salt.
Step 7: Repeat with second chicken breast half, letting both rest on the paper towels to absorb any excess oil for a minute or two.
Step 8: Remove the paper towels from underneath the chicken. Divide the marinara sauce over the tops of the chicken, followed by the mozzarella. Bake for 8-10 minutes at 400 F until cheese is browned and bubbly.
Step 9: Garnish with freshly chopped basil and serve hot!
Best Sides for Chicken Parmesan
I totally recommend serving your chicken parmesan with any of the following. (The garlic bread, asparagus caesar salad, miso dressing, and brussels sprouts gratin are all small batch recipes, too!)
I don’t know if this qualifies as an easy dinner recipe because there are quite a few steps, but it sure is worth it in my opinion! Pan frying the chicken ensures it gets nice and crispy, then finishing it in the oven ensures that the chicken is totally cooked and the cheese is melted.
If you’re planning to double or triple this recipe, that’s great! If that results in you having leftovers, you can reheat this pretty easily. The chicken may not be quite as crispy, but it will still be super delicious.
Preheat the oven to 300 F. Place the chicken parm on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Cook the chicken in the preheated oven for about 10-12 minutes until totally warmed through.
Optional: Top the chicken parmesan with more sauce and cheese before reheating for added flavor and moisture!
If you make my chicken parmesan recipe and love it, I would love it if you left a rating and comment below! And if you have questions about any of the ingredients or the process, feel free to shoot me an email so I can get back to you ASAP. Tag me on Instagram if you post it, too!
