Name: One-Pan Chicken Parmesan Skillet : Easy, Crispy, and Mess-Free
Ingredients: 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts; Salt & freshly cracked black pepper, to taste; 2 tbsp olive oil; 2 cups marinara sauce (jarred or homemade); 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese; ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese; ¾ cup panko breadcrumbs; 1 tbsp olive oil; ½ tsp Italian seasoning (or mix of oregano, basil, thyme); Pinch of salt

Description

All the cheesy, tangy, crispy goodness of classic Chicken Parmesan—without the dredging, frying, and mountain of dishes. This one-pan version delivers juicy chicken, herby marinara, melted mozzarella, and a golden, crunchy panko topping in about 30 minutes. Perfect for weeknights or last-minute dinner parties.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken & Sauce:

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Salt & freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
2 tbsp olive oil
2 cups marinara sauce (jarred or homemade)
1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Magic Panko Topping:

¾ cup panko breadcrumbs
1 tbsp olive oil
½ tsp Italian seasoning (or mix of oregano, basil, thyme)
Pinch of salt

Instructions

Prep Chicken & Oven:
Pat chicken dry and season generously with salt and pepper. Preheat your broiler and position a rack 6–8 inches from the heat source.
Sear Chicken:
Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large, oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken 4–5 minutes per side until golden brown. Chicken won’t be fully cooked yet—this step builds flavor.
Simmer in Sauce:
Reduce heat to low and pour marinara sauce around the chicken, spooning some on top. Simmer 5 minutes until chicken finishes cooking and flavors marry.
Prepare Topping:
In a small bowl, mix panko breadcrumbs, 1 tbsp olive oil, Italian seasoning, and a pinch of salt.
Add Cheese & Crunch:
Sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan over chicken, then evenly top with the panko mixture.
Broil:
Place skillet under broiler 2–3 minutes, watching closely. Cheese should be bubbly and panko golden-brown.
Serve:
Let rest 1 minute. Serve chicken hot with sauce from the skillet. Great over pasta, with salad, or alongside garlic bread.

Notes

Thicker Chicken: Simmer slightly longer or use a meat thermometer (165°F internal temp).
Make Ahead: Sear and simmer chicken, cool, and refrigerate up to 1 day. Add cheese/panko and broil when ready.
Panko Burns: Move rack lower or broil in shorter bursts to prevent burning.
No Oven-Safe Skillet: Use any skillet for searing/simmering, then transfer to a baking dish for broiling.
Twists:
- Everything Bagel Topping: swap Italian seasoning for everything bagel seasoning.
- Spicy: use arrabbiata sauce + red pepper flakes.
- Pesto: spread a thin layer of pesto under the sauce.
- Veggies: add spinach or mushrooms before sauce.
- Dairy-Free: use vegan mozzarella & Parmesan alternative.