Fast & Easy Chicken Parmesan Recipe - A quick, semi-homemade recipe for traditional chicken parmigiana with angel hair pasta, cheese and fresh basil.
why i love this Fast & Easy Chicken Parmesan Recipe
• Because it's much easier to make than classic chicken parmesan. You don't have to mess with egg wash or a breadcrumb mixture. And you don't have to pound chicken or do any frying.
• Using the frozen, fully cooked chicken and store bought pasta sauce saved time on this recipe which is great. The good news is semi-homemade recipes can be so delicious and much better than eating out. You can save money, eat at home and be with your loved ones for a nice home cooked meal.
• The crispy coating on the chicken cutlets is yummy and so simple because we use pre-breaded frozen chicken strips and store-bought sauce for this recipe.
• A generous layer of melted fresh mozzarella cheese or Parmesan cheese on top of the crispy chicken brings a rich, gooey texture that enhances the overall flavor of this classic dish.
• My chicken parm recipe is versatile and pairs well with various sides and pasta choices. We love it with Caesar salad. Perfect as an easy weeknight dinner that the whole family will love!
• This popular Italian-American dish includes a classic combination of flavors and textures. Total comfort food and one of my new favorite recipes!
• Baked chicken parmesan is a crowd-pleaser for anyone that loves Italian food, making it an ideal dish for family gatherings or weeknight dinners. Serve with your favorite pasta.
• Chicken parmesan is my husband Jay's favorite Italian dish. Hands down. He always orders it when we're at an Italian restaurant but I never make it because I thought it would be really hard to make. The other night, Jay had a really bad frozen meal version of chicken parm and he was disappointed. So I created this recipe and guess what, he loved my Easy Chicken Parm and so did the children. Yay!
what you need
ingredient notes
Frozen Chicken Fingers - We used Tyson parmesan encrusted chicken strips. Use your favorite brand.
Marinara Sauce: You can use store-bought marinara sauce for convenience. Alternatively, make your own with fresh tomatoes, garlic, onions, and herbs for a homemade touch.
Mozzarella Cheese: Opt for fresh or high-quality shredded mozzarella cheese. This cheese provides the gooey, melty topping.
Pasta: Choose your favorite pasta variety to serve with the chicken Parmesan. Traditional choices include spaghetti noodles or fettuccine. We used angel hair, which is my favorite.
Fresh Herbs: Garnish with fresh herbs like basil or parsley just before serving for a burst of freshness.
How to Make Easy Chicken Parm
Easy Chicken Parm basically comes together in 3 easy steps. 1) Bake the Tyson® Chicken Strips. 2) Add pasta sauce. 3) Add cheese and bake until melted.
I added chopped, fresh basil for color and added flavor. I love fresh basil. It smells so good!
While the chicken strips are baking, make the pasta. Add angel hair to lightly salted, boiling water. Angel hair cooks up very quickly. Mine was done in about 6 minutes. Drain the pasta and stir in some butter. Pour the hot pasta into a casserole dish. Add prepared chicken strips with sauce and cheese. Sprinkle with fresh basil, if desired. Serve the Easy Chicken Parm with extra sauce on the side.
quick tips
Layering Marinara and Cheese: Layer marinara sauce and cheese generously over the chicken for a saucy and cheesy result.
Added flavor: If desired, you can add extra black pepper, garlic powder and Italian seasoning to your sauce to boost the flavor.
Baking: Bake until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Covering When Baking: If the cheese browns too quickly, cover the baking dish with foil until the cheese is bubbly.
Resting Before Serving: Allow the chicken to rest for a few minutes before serving. This helps the juices redistribute, keeping the chicken moist.
Serving: Serve the chicken parm over cooked pasta or with a side of salad.
Garnish: Adding fresh chopped herbs right before serving gives the dish a beautiful presentation as well as adding more flavor. I used chopped fresh basil.
frequently asked questions
What pasta is best to serve with chicken Parmesan? Classic choices include spaghetti or fettuccine, but you can use any pasta you prefer.
Can I use store-bought marinara sauce? Absolutely! Choose a quality marinara sauce for convenience. You can also add herbs or spices to enhance the flavor.
What's the best way to reheat leftovers? Reheat in the oven to maintain crispiness. Use a lower temperature to prevent overcooking.
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Love this recipe? If you try it, be sure to tag me on @Instagram! You can also find me on Pinterest, YouTube and Facebook.
Fast & Easy Chicken Parmesan Recipe
Ingredients
- 25 ounces Frozen chicken fingers We used Tyson Parmesan Herb Encrusted Chicken Strips
- 8 ounces Angel hair pasta
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 16 ounces Store bought pasta sauce
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- Optional garnish: fresh basil chopped
Instructions
- Bake chicken strips according to package instructions.
- Meanwhile prepare the pasta according to package instructions. Drain and stir in butter. Pour into a 13"x9" casserole dish. Cover to keep warm.
- When the chicken strips are done, spoon a few tablespoons of pasta sauce on top of each chicken strip. Add cheese on top. Return to oven and bake for 5-10 minutes or until cheese is melted. Place chicken on top of prepared pasta. Sprinkle chopped basil on top. Place remaining pasta sauce in a microwave safe bowl and heat for one minute or until heated through. Serve pasta and chicken with sauce on the side.
Notes
Nutrition
Story behind recipe
Long story short, we made a trip to the ER yesterday after calling the doctor with my daughter's symptoms. It was about 12 noon, so there weren't that many people there. We didn't have to wait long to see the doctor. He basically asked her a bunch of questions. No x-rays or cat scans. Her main symptoms were pain, feeling tired and having a hard time focusing at school. The diagnosis was that she has a concussion or a bruise to her brain. No school for a couple of days and no sports for 1-2 weeks.
My husband and I have never had a concussion in our life. She's 13 and she's already had a concussion. After going to a birthday party. What happened is, her friend jumped in the pool and bonked heads with my daughter who was already in the pool. Such a freak accident, but thank goodness it wasn't worse.
So having this delicious and simple meal for dinner last night was just what we needed. Everyone in the family loved my Easy Chicken Parm (and that alone is amazing because they're all very picky).
Sissa says
Hi! About how many would your recipe feed?
Mom Loves Baking says
The recipe makes 7-8 servings.
Lynn Elliott says
Once again Lise your pictures and recipe are wonderful. I will make this one. I love the idea that you put the extra sauce on the side for those of us who cannot have too much tomato sauce
Mom Loves Baking says
Hi Lynn, I'm glad you like the recipe. Thanks for the nice comments! 🙂