Skillet Chicken Parmesan is a comforting weeknight dinner recipe that's made in one skillet, and ready in 30 minutes.
Got a hankering for something cheesy, saucy, and totally comforting — but not a lot of time on your hands? Skillet Chicken Parmesan is the answer!
As quick as it is mmm-mmm good, Skillet Chicken Parmesan slashes the time, effort, and calories from traditional breaded and fried Chicken Parmesan, and turns it into a comforting, healthful weeknight supper that’s made in 1 skillet, and ready in 30 minutes.
Start the Skillet Chicken Parmesan by cutting 2 large chicken breasts in half, then brushing both sides with extra virgin olive oil and seasoning with salt and pepper. I’ve said it once, and I’ll say it again, brushing chicken with olive oil before sauteing makes for the tastiest chicken on the block!
Saute the chicken in a large, non-stick sprayed skillet over medium-high heat for 2-3 minutes a side, then remove to a plate, turn the heat down to medium, and remove the skillet from the burner.
You don’t need to cook the chicken all the way through, btw, just get ’em nice and golden brown on the outside.
Next, break out the star of the skillet – marinara sauce. Slightly spicy, locally-made Gino’s is my go-to. I recommend springing for a higher quality marinara sauce such as Rao’s if you don’t have access to Gino’s!
Once the skillet has cooled off the heat for 1 minute, carefully pour in 2 cups marinara sauce. Marinara sauce will splatter and spit when poured into a super hot skillet, which is why it’s important to let it cool a bit before adding the sauce.
To the marinara sauce add 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese, and 1/2 teaspoon dried basil.
Stir the sauce together, then place the skillet back on the burner over medium heat.
Nestle the chicken breast halves in the sauce, then place a lid on top and cook for 10 minutes, or until the chicken is no longer pink in the center.
Turn off the heat and remove the skillet from the burner, then place 1oz sliced mozzarella cheese on top of each chicken breast, and broil until golden brown.
Nestle each mozzarella-covered chicken breast over a bed of cooked gluten-free ziti (or whatever you’ve got on hand) then spoon over a scoop of the cheesy, seasoned marinara sauce. Dinner is served!
You will not believe how tender and juicy the chicken stays from cooking in the marinara sauce, which totally eliminates the need for cooking in extra fat, by the way!
Serve the saucy, cheesy chicken over a bed of your favorite cooked pasta. This is a total pantry supper, so just use whatever you’ve got on hand — and enjoy!
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 chicken breasts, ~2lb, sliced in half
- extra virgin olive oil
- salt and pepper
- 16 oz marinara sauce
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 4 oz fresh mozzarella slices
- 8 oz gluten free ziti, or your favorite pasta
Directions
- Brush chicken breasts with oil then season on both sides with salt and pepper. Heat a large, oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat, then spray with nonstick spray. Add chicken and cook for 2-3 minutes a side, or until golden brown (does not need to be cooked all the way through.) Remove to a plate then set aside.
- Turn heat down to medium, then remove skillet from burner and let cool for 1 minute. Add marinara sauce (use caution, as sauce may splatter a bit,) parmesan cheese, and dried basil to skillet then stir to combine. Nestle chicken halves into sauce mixture then return skillet to heat, place a lid on top, and cook for 10 minutes, or until chicken is cooked all the way through.
- Heat a large pot of water then season with salt and add pasta. Cook until al dente then drain and set aside.
- Remove skillet from heat then top chicken with sliced mozzarella and broil until golden brown and bubbly.
Nutrition
Nutritional values are estimates only. Please read our full nutrition information disclaimer.
I made this tonight as a first attempt at anything resembling chicken Parmesan. It was GREAT! Easy, quick, and delicious. I served with chickpea pasta. My family of various preferences enjoyed it, and so did I! Will be making again!
I made this last night & it was so delicious & EASY!!! Loved!
Awesome! So glad to hear it, Julie, thanks for your feedback!
Entire recipe at top of post please. Not everybody has time to wade through a bunch of photos and meandering thoughts when they’re trying to put some food together.
If you click on the green “Jump to Recipe” button at the very top of the post, first thing, you can skip the text and go straight to the recipe.
Thanks for this! I had just gotten back from a trip and wanted homemade food with no fuss. This was perfect. I used a jar of locally made sauce here in KC (Cupinis.) It was so good, I’ll think twice about making my own sauce next time….
This recipe was so simple & delicious.
I am in the process of making this recipe! Looks (and smells) delicious!! I can’t wait to eat it! Thanks for the easy recipe!
This looks amazing! And I love how you lightened it up. The colors will make it a perfect valentines day meal.
This is on the menu for sure this week! Love it, simple and yummy!
This was SO easy. I skipped the mozzarella because I didn’t have any on hand, and it was still good!
Just made this and loooooved it. Haven’t made/had chicken parm in a while and this was a great way to make it! :)
I finally just made this, although its been on my list since you posted it. OMG this is the best chicken parm Ive ever made! I can not believe how delicious it was and I had to come post this comment right away!
So glad you enjoyed!!
I know I can pin, tweet, and print recipes– but is there an email option I’m missing? Would love to have it ready on my phone [I’m lazy] for when I pick up ingredients! Love your recipes!
Hi there! If you click on “Print this recipe!” there’s an email option under the picture. Let me know if you have any problems finding it!