Gluten-Free Chicken Parmesan

Easy Chicken Parmesan Recipe

Parmesan-crusted chicken simmering in a marinara sauce and then topped with melted mozzarella cheese…

Does dinnertime get any better than this classic Italian dish?

Growing up my family would frequent the local Olive Garden almost weekly. (It was our “fancy night out” after shopping at the mall!)

Oftentimes I was torn between ordering their rich lasagna or the classic chicken parmesan.

Honestly, I picked these dishes because they initially seemed so intimidating to make at home.

But then a few years ago I went on a strict gluten-free diet and realized I could no longer order those items on the menu. So instead, I decided to create my own healthier version at home!

After quite a bit of tweaking, this easy Gluten-Free Chicken Parmesan recipe was born and it is hands down the BEST! The whole family will love it.

Not only is it simple to make, but by cooking the chicken in a skillet you get a super crispy crust that isn’t possible if you bake it in the oven.

Ingredients

These are the simple ingredients you need to make gluten-free Chicken Parmesan.

• Chicken. Skinless chicken breasts are preferred over thighs or other cuts of chicken meat.
• Parmesan Cheese. Make sure you get grated and not shredded or shaved. Having a finely grated cheese is important so it can easily coat the chicken breasts.
• Breadcrumbs. Regular or Italian-style breadcrumbs can be used. Be sure to get a gluten-free brand if needed.
• Italian Seasoning. A blend of common Italian dried herbs and garlic powder is added to the coating for flavor. You can either make a Homemade Italian Seasoning or purchase some at the grocery store.  A mixture of dried oregano, parsley, and basil may also be substituted.
• Egg. One whole egg is whisked together with a bit of milk to help the cheese and breadcrumbs stick to the chicken.
• Flour. Regular all-purpose flour or a gluten-free 1-to-1 blend can be used.
• Marinara. Any type of spaghetti or marinara sauce can be used. You’ll want to make sure you really enjoy the flavor of the sauce before adding it to the dish.
• Mozzarella. Either shredded or a ball of cheese, cut into thin slices, can be used.

How to Make Gluten-Free Chicken Parmesan

Below you’ll find the step by step instructions to make this gluten-free Chicken Parmesan dish at home.

Tenderize the Chicken

Before you coat the chicken you’ll first want to prepare the meat by pounding it thin and cutting it into equal-sized pieces.

Cover the chicken breasts with wax paper or plastic wrap to keep the juices from splattering. Pound the chicken breasts with a meat mallet until they are ¾- to 1-inch thick. This step tenderizes the meat so it turns out super juicy and tender when cooked.

Cut chicken breasts into equal-sized 4-ounce portions. Doing this ensures the chicken cooks at a similar rate.

Coat the Chicken

The basic process for coating the chicken is much like any other breaded chicken recipe.

To start, you will need 3 relatively shallow medium- to large-sized bowls.

Shallow bowls are a little easier to dip and dredge your chicken in while coating it.

• First Bowl: Add the flour, ¼ tsp. salt, and ¼ tsp. pepper
• Second Bowl: Whisk the egg and milk
• Third Bowl: Toss together the cheese, breadcrumbs, Italian seasoning, and ½ tsp. salt

Lightly coat one chicken breast in the flour, dip it into the egg wash, and then cover it with the Parmesan cheese and breadcrumb mixture.

Repeat with the remaining chicken pieces.

Cook the Chicken

Once your chicken breasts are coated in the Parmesan crust, it’s time to cook them up.

Instead of baking this dish in the oven, we’re going to be preparing it in the skillet to get that super crispy crust.

Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil to a large skillet that can go in the oven over medium heat, or enough to coat the bottom of the pan. Place all 6 pieces of chicken in the skillet once the oil begins to sizzle, being careful not to overlap any of them.

Sear chicken for 2-3 minutes on each side. The outside will be golden brown, but it won’t be fully cooked.

Add the Sauce and Cheese

Pour the spaghetti sauce over the chicken, picking up each breast so the sauce gets underneath. Cover skillet and reduce heat to low.  

Simmer for 8-10 minutes or until chicken is cooked through and the internal temperature is 165°F (here’s more on the Internal Temperature of Chicken).

Sprinkle 1 ounce of mozzarella cheese on each piece of chicken and wait for it to melt before serving. 

How to Serve Chicken Parmesan?

Chicken Parmesan is typically served over a bed of spaghetti or linguine pasta.  If you’re watching your carbs and calories, you can always opt for a healthier bed of Zucchini Noodles or Roasted Spaghetti Squash instead.

Sprinkle on additional Parmesan cheese with some finely chopped fresh basil chiffonade or parsley.

Meal Prep and Storage

• How to prep ahead of time: You can tenderize the chicken up to one day early.
• How to store: This dish will keep well for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• How to freeze: Place in a freezer safe container or freezer bag and store for up to 2-3 months. It is best stored without the cheese on top.
• How to reheat: While you can microwave it to reheat it, you’ll get the best texture if you add it back to the skillet. Cover the skillet with a lid and let cook over Medium to Medium-Low heat for 6-10 minutes, or until heated through.

What is chicken parmesan?

Chicken parmesan, also called chicken parmigiana, is a classic dish of breaded chicken that is coated in a tomato sauce and topped with mozzarella cheese.

Is chicken parmesan healthy?

Traditionally, chicken parmesan is not considered a healthy dish. However, you can make it better for you by pan-frying the chicken and using natural ingredients, and then serving it on vegetable noodles.

How to reheat chicken parmesan?

The best way to reheat chicken parmesan is in the oven or in a skillet. Using a microwave will yield soggy chicken.

Dietary Modifications

The recipe you’ll find below is already gluten-free as written. Here are some adjustments and substitutions you can make to help it fit your other dietary requirements:

• Dairy-free: Opt for a vegan cheese alternative.
• Low-carb: Serve without noodles, or opt for veggie noodles instead.

Expert Tips and Tricks

• Get it thin. Be sure to pound the chicken so it is no more than 1-inch thick.
• Coat it. Take your time breading the chicken to ensure the coating sticks to the breasts.
• Let it simmer. This time finishes cooking the chicken and ensures rich flavor.
• Make it work. You can use gluten-free flour and pasta or not, it’s your choice.
• Enjoy it. This chicken is delicious on pasta or veggie noodles, or even by itself.

What to Serve With Chicken Parmesan?

Chicken Parmesan is a rather heavy meal, especially when served over a bed of pasta. Thankfully, you can add some lightness via the sides you serve it with.

Choose veggies like Lemon Garlic Roasted Asparagus, Air Fryer Broccoli, Sautéed Zucchini and Squash, or Oven Roasted Cauliflower.

If you love pasta, try Zucchini Noodles instead.

A green salad with Homemade Italian Dressing is the perfect pairing.

More Italian Chicken Recipes

Sometimes, you just crave some chicken with all the warmth and flavors of Italy. It’s the ultimate comfort food. Try one of these recipes next.

Chicken Piccata and Olive Garden Chicken Marsala are surprisingly simple and impressive.

Sheet Pan Caprese Chicken is a quick and easy dinner. Don’t miss these Chicken Parmesan Meatballs, either.

Or, warm up with Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup.