Barefoot Contessa’s Heavenly Chicken Parmesan Recipe

Succulent chicken meets Italian-inspired magic in this Barefoot Contessa chicken Parmesan recipe that promises restaurant-quality flavors right in your kitchen.

Juicy chicken breasts get a golden, crispy coating that seals in every ounce of tenderness.

Melted mozzarella cascades over perfectly seasoned meat, creating a symphony of textures and tastes.

The sauce adds a rich, tangy backdrop that complements the crisp chicken perfectly.

Fresh herbs sprinkled on top bring a burst of brightness to this classic comfort dish.

Each bite delivers a harmonious blend of savory and aromatic notes that dance across your palate.

You won’t believe how simple it is to recreate this elegant meal that looks like it came straight from a gourmet Italian restaurant.

Tools & Utensils for Barefoot Contessa Chicken Parmesan

• Meat Mallet or Rolling Pin: Essential for pounding chicken breasts to an even ¼-inch thickness.
• Large Sauté Pan (30cm): Perfect for achieving a golden, crispy coating on the chicken.
• Shallow Bowls (3): One for flour mixture, one for egg wash, and one for bread crumb coating.
• Dinner Plates (2): Help with breading the chicken and holding cooked pieces.
• Grater: For creating fresh Parmesan cheese for coating and garnishing.
• Tongs: Helpful for flipping and moving chicken in the pan without damaging the crispy coating.
• Measuring Spoons and Cups: Ensure precise ingredient quantities for perfect seasoning.

Cooking Method for Barefoot Contessa Chicken Parmesan

• Chicken Preparation

Flatten chicken breasts until they’re super thin using a meat mallet or rolling pin, creating an even surface for perfect cooking.

• Coating Adventure

Create three separate stations: flour mixed with seasoning, beaten eggs, and bread crumbs combined with Parmesan. Lovingly coat each chicken piece by dipping through each station, ensuring a crispy, golden exterior.

• Sizzling Transformation

Heat a large skillet with butter and olive oil. Gently cook chicken pieces until they turn a beautiful golden brown, about 2-3 minutes per side. Work in batches to maintain the perfect temperature and crispiness.

• Elegant Plating

Transfer golden chicken to serving plates. Top each piece with a fresh, zesty salad and sprinkle with additional Parmesan cheese for an extra flavor explosion.

• Serving Magic

Present your masterpiece immediately, letting the crispy chicken and fresh salad create a mouthwatering combination that will impress everyone at the table.

Flavor Hacks for Barefoot Contessa Chicken Parmesan

• Use plastic wrap when pounding chicken to prevent splatter and ensure uniform thickness for consistent cooking.
• Replace traditional breadcrumbs with panko for extra crispiness or crushed crackers for a unique texture and flavor profile.
• Rest cooked chicken on a wire rack in a preheated 200°F oven to maintain crispness and prevent sogginess while preparing remaining pieces.
• Enhance the dish by adding marinara sauce or homemade tomato salsa on top of the chicken for a more robust Italian-inspired flavor.
• Substitute wheat flour with almond flour or cornmeal and use gluten-free breadcrumbs to make the recipe accessible for those with dietary restrictions.

Ways to Serve Barefoot Contessa Chicken Parmesan

• Pair with Pasta Perfection: Serve alongside a bed of spaghetti or linguine tossed with marinara sauce for a classic Italian-inspired meal that elevates the chicken's crispy texture.
• Create a Fresh Contrast: Top the chicken with the bright, zesty baby salad greens to balance the rich, golden-brown breading and add a light, refreshing element to the dish.
• Wine Companion Delight: Complement the meal with a crisp white wine like Pinot Grigio or a light Chardonnay that cuts through the richness and enhances the chicken's savory flavors.
• Rustic Side Kick: Add roasted seasonal vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, or asparagus to complete the plate and provide a colorful, nutritious accompaniment to the chicken parmesan.

Storage & Reheat Tips for Barefoot Contessa Chicken Parmesan

Refrigerate Wisely: Store leftover chicken parmesan in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Keep the chicken separate from salad to maintain crispy texture.

Revive Crispy Coating: Reheat chicken in a preheated oven at 375°F for 10-12 minutes to restore its crunchy exterior. Avoid microwave to prevent soggy breading.

Freeze for Future Meals: Wrap individual chicken pieces in plastic wrap, then place in freezer-safe bags. Frozen chicken parmesan stays delicious for 2-3 months when properly sealed.

Prep Ahead Strategy: Bread the chicken breasts earlier in the day and refrigerate. Cook just before serving to ensure maximum flavor and crispiness.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Calories: 470 kcal

Servings: 6

Ingredient List for Barefoot Contessa Chicken Parmesan

• Chicken Breasts: Select fresh, plump breasts with minimal fat for even cooking and tender texture.
• Meat Mallet or Rolling Pin: Essential for creating uniform thickness and ensuring consistent cooking.

• All-Purpose Flour, Salt, Black Pepper: Creates a delicate base layer for crispy exterior and enhances flavor profile.
• Eggs, Water: Helps breadcrumb mixture adhere perfectly to chicken surface.
• Breadcrumbs, Parmesan Cheese: Delivers golden, crunchy coating with rich, nutty cheese undertones.

• Butter, Olive Oil: Provides rich flavor and prevents chicken from sticking while creating beautiful golden-brown crust.
• Baby Salad Greens: Adds fresh, light contrast to the crispy chicken.
• Lemon Vinaigrette: Brings bright, zesty notes to balance the dish.
• Extra Parmesan Cheese: Offers additional sharp, salty garnish to elevate overall taste experience.

Succulent Barefoot Contessa Chicken Parmesan Recipe

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4.7 from 33 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Classic chicken parmesan embodies Italian-American comfort cooking with crispy breaded chicken topped in marinara and melted mozzarella. Cheese-loving home cooks can confidently create this restaurant-quality dish using simple ingredients and straightforward techniques.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 50 grams (1.8 oz) finely grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for serving
• 150 grams (5.3 oz) seasoned dry bread crumbs
• 125 grams (4.4 oz) all-purpose flour
• 2 extra-large eggs
• 120 milliliters (4 fl oz) good olive oil
• 30 milliliters (1 fl oz) good olive oil
• 60 milliliters (2 fl oz) freshly squeezed lemon juice (about 2 lemons)
• 30 grams (1 oz) unsalted butter
• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• Baby salad greens for 6, washed and spun dry

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Instructions

1. Prepare Chicken: Gently flatten chicken breasts to a uniform ¼-inch thickness using a meat mallet, ensuring even cooking and maximum tenderness.
2. Set Up Coating Stations: Arrange three distinct preparation zones – seasoned flour blend, egg wash mixture, and breadcrumb-Parmesan coating – creating a streamlined breading process for optimal coverage.
3. Bread Chicken: Systematically coat each chicken breast by dredging in seasoned flour, dipping in egg mixture, and pressing firmly into breadcrumb-cheese mixture to create a perfectly crisp exterior.
4. Cook Chicken: Heat sauté pan with butter and olive oil over medium-low temperature. Fry chicken breasts in batches, cooking 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown and reaching 165°F internal temperature, replenishing fat between batches to maintain consistent cooking conditions.
5. Finish and Plate: Toss baby salad greens with lemon vinaigrette, then artfully arrange chicken on individual plates. Crown each breast with dressed greens and sprinkle with additional Parmesan cheese for an elegant presentation.

Notes

• Precision Matters: Flatten chicken breasts evenly to guarantee uniform cooking and prevent dry, tough meat.
• Station Setup: Organize three separate dredging stations for seamless breading process, preventing messy kitchen counters and ensuring crispy coating.
• Temperature Control: Maintain medium-low heat while cooking to achieve golden-brown exterior without burning breadcrumbs or undercooking chicken.
• Serving Tip: Keep cooked chicken warm in low-temperature oven to preserve crispy texture and heat while preparing final plate presentation.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 470
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 850 mg
• Fat: 28 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 36 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 26 g
• Cholesterol: 210 mg