Cheese-Stuffed Chicken Parmesan

This classic oven-baked Chicken Parmesan tastes JUST like it's from a restaurant. Better yet, it's STUFFED with Mozarella cheese and covered in a crispy Parmesan breading with warm marinara sauce.

📝 Ingredients

• 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 2 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese (separated)
• 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan Cheese (separated)
• ½ cup flour
• 1 ¼ teaspoons seasoned salt
• ¼ teaspoon pepper
• 2 eggs
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 cup Italian breadcrumbs
• 2 Tablespoons butter
• 3 Tablespoons olive oil
• Fresh parsley (to garnish)
• 2 cups marinara sauce
• Fresh Parsley (to garnish)

👨‍🍳 Instructions

1. 1Note: I recommend a 12 or 13 inch oven-safe pan for this recipe. A large dutch oven will also work. Otherwise, transfer the chicken to a lightly greased casserole dish after browning. Add the sauce/cheese, and bake as directed.
2. 2--- Stuff the Chicken ---
3. 3Pat the chicken breasts completely dry.
4. 4Cut a slice in middle of each chicken breast to create a pocket, don’t cut all the way through to the other side. PRO TIP: Flash freeze the chicken for 10-15 minutes to firm it up for easier cutting.
5. 5Stuff each one with 2-3 Tablespoons of mozzarella cheese, close to seal.
6. 6--- Bread the Chicken ---
7. 7Create an assembly line for breading the chicken:
8. 8Plate #1: ½ cup flour + 1 ¼ tsp seasoned salt + 1/4 tsp pepper.
9. 9Bowl #2: 2 whisked eggs + ½ teaspoon garlic powder
10. 10Plate #3: 1 cups breadcrumbs + ¼ cup shredded Parmesan
11. 11Coat the chicken in the flour mixture and tap to rid any excess.
12. 12Dip into the whisked eggs just long enough to lightly coat the chicken, let the excess drip off the edge of the bowl
13. 13Generously coat in the breadcrumb mixture.
14. 14--- Brown the Outside ---
15. 15Heat the oil and butter to a pan over medium heat.
16. 16Brown the chicken in batches of 2, leave room around the outside to allow the edges to crisp.
17. 17Cook for about 4 minutes per side, until light golden brown. Add more oil if needed. (I use 2 spatulas to carefully flip the chicken.)
18. 18Remove from heat and place the chicken on a paper towel lined plate. The paper towels absorb the excess oil, leaving you with crispier chicken. Note: The inside is still very raw.
19. 19--- Bake ---
20. 20Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
21. 21Return the chicken to the pan or transfer to a casserole dish. Spoon marinara sauce around the sides and on the top.
22. 22Sprinkle generously with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
23. 23Bake uncovered for 20 minutes.
24. 24If desired, increase heat to 450 degrees and cook just until it browns more on top, watch closely the whole time.
25. 25Remove from the oven, garnish with parsley, and serve!