Yields: 4 servings Prep time: 20 minutes Cook time: 25-33 minutes Calories: Approx. 364 kcal per serving
Enjoy a lighter take on a classic favorite! Thin chicken cutlets are coated in a seasoned Panko-Parmesan crust, baked until crisp, then topped with marinara and melted fresh mozzarella.
Ingredients
- 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (approx. 1 pound / 454g total)
- 1 large egg
- Generous 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- Pinch (or 1/8 teaspoon) black pepper
- 2/3 cup (approx. 75-80g) Panko bread crumbs
- 1/3 cup (approx. 33g) grated Parmesan cheese
- Generous 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- Generous 1/2 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning (New Addition)
- 1 1/3 cups (approx. 320g) marinara or your favorite spaghetti sauce
- 4-5 ounces (approx. 113-140g) fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced about 1/8 inch thick
- Non-stick cooking spray or olive oil (for baking sheet)
- Optional Garnish: Fresh basil or oregano leaves
Equipment:
- Baking sheet or jelly roll pan
- Meat tenderizer or rolling pin
- Plastic wrap or zip-top bag
- Two shallow bowls or dishes (for breading)
- Tongs or fork
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly spray or grease a baking sheet and set aside.
- Prepare Chicken Cutlets: Carefully slice each chicken breast in half horizontally to create four thinner cutlets of roughly equal thickness. Place the cutlets between two sheets of plastic wrap or inside a large zip-top bag. Using the flat side of a meat tenderizer or a rolling pin, gently pound the chicken cutlets to an even thickness of about 1/4 inch.
- Set Up Breading Station: Prepare two shallow bowls. In the first bowl, whisk the large egg together with the generous 1/4 tsp salt and pinch of black pepper. In the second bowl, combine the Panko bread crumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, generous 1/2 tsp garlic powder, and generous 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning; stir well to mix.
- Bread the Chicken: Working with one cutlet at a time, dip it into the egg mixture, allowing any excess to drip back into the bowl. Then, press the egg-coated cutlet firmly into the Panko mixture, ensuring both sides are thoroughly coated. Gently shake off any loose crumbs.
- Arrange on Pan: Place the breaded chicken cutlet onto the prepared baking sheet. Repeat the breading process for the remaining three cutlets, arranging them in a single layer on the sheet without overcrowding.
- Initial Bake: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven. Bake for 20-25 minutes, flipping the cutlets carefully about halfway through cooking time. The chicken should be cooked through (no longer pink in the center, internal temperature of 165°F/74°C) and the breading should be golden brown and crispy.
- Top and Final Bake: Carefully remove the baking sheet from the oven. Spoon approximately 1/3 cup of marinara sauce evenly over the top of each cooked chicken cutlet. Arrange the fresh mozzarella slices over the sauce (about 1-1.25 oz per cutlet).
- Melt Cheese: Return the baking sheet to the oven for an additional 3-5 minutes, just until the mozzarella cheese is melted, bubbly, and beginning to lightly brown.
- (Optional) Broil: For extra browning on the cheese, you can switch the oven setting to Broil for the final minute, watching very closely to prevent burning.
- Serve: Remove from the oven. Let the chicken rest for a minute or two. Garnish with fresh basil or oregano leaves, if desired. Serve immediately. This dish pairs well with pasta, zucchini noodles, or a fresh salad.
Estimated Nutritional Information (Per Serving – 1 Cutlet)
- Calories: approx. 364 kcal
- Total Fat: approx. 13.5g
- Saturated Fat: approx. 6g
- Total Carbohydrates: approx. 21g
- Dietary Fiber: approx. 2g
- Total Sugars: approx. 6g (highly dependent on marinara sauce)
- Protein: approx. 33g
- Sodium: approx. 700mg (highly dependent on marinara sauce, salt added, parmesan)
(Note: Nutritional information is an estimate calculated based on the specific ingredients and quantities used in this modified recipe, assuming lean chicken breast, standard Panko, Parmesan, marinara sauce, and fresh mozzarella. Actual values may vary based on specific brands and precise measurements. The original recipe’s calorie count appeared significantly low.)
