Description
This Easy Weeknight Cast Iron Skillet Chicken Parmesan is a simple and delicious Italian-inspired dish perfect for a quick dinner. Tender chicken breasts are coated with a crispy seasoned breadcrumb crust, seared in a cast iron skillet, topped with rich marinara, Parmesan, and fresh mozzarella, then baked until bubbly and golden. Serve it with pasta and a green salad for a satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Chicken and Coating
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 2 pounds)
- ¼ cup Duke’s mayonnaise
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground pepper
- 1 cup dry bread crumbs
- 2 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
Cooking and Toppings
- 3 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 (24-ounce) jar marinara sauce (or your favorite tomato sauce)
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 (8-ounce) ball fresh mozzarella, sliced
- Fresh basil leaves, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Chicken: Preheat the oven to 425°F. Brush both sides of each chicken breast with the mayonnaise, then sprinkle evenly with kosher salt and freshly ground pepper to season.
- Coat the Chicken: In a shallow bowl, mix together the breadcrumbs, all-purpose flour, and Italian seasoning. Dip each chicken breast into this breadcrumb mixture, pressing down gently to ensure an even coating on all sides.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat the vegetable oil in a large cast-iron or other ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, brown the coated chicken breasts for 2 to 3 minutes on each side until golden brown. Remove the skillet from the heat.
- Add Sauce and Cheese: Pour the marinara sauce over the chicken breasts in the skillet. Sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese evenly over the chicken, then arrange the sliced fresh mozzarella on top.
- Bake to Finish: Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked through and the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly browned.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the skillet from the oven and top the chicken Parmesan with fresh basil leaves before serving. Enjoy alongside pasta and a green salad for a complete meal.
Notes
- Using mayonnaise helps keep the chicken moist and helps the coating stick well.
- Make sure to use an ovenproof skillet such as cast iron to go from stovetop to oven safely.
- Fresh mozzarella melts better and gives a creamier texture than pre-shredded cheese.
- Leftover chicken Parmesan can be refrigerated for 2-3 days and reheated in the oven for best results.
- To make the dish gluten-free, substitute the bread crumbs and flour with gluten-free versions.