Are you imagining the aromas flying around this plate? You should be. Not only does this Pepperoni Chicken Parmesan, a classic Italian-American dish, deliver in flavor, color and crunch (thank you panko) but the entire house takes on the aroma of grandma’s kitchen. You know…the kitchen that has sauce bubbling and peppers frying and meatballs baking and…yeah, that kitchen. This dish brings it all back…
Who doesn’t need that in their life? This is as cozy and comfy a dish as they come.
Quick fried panko encrusted boneless chicken breast layered beneath marinara the color of perfectly sun-ripened tomatoes…a shower of freshly grated Parmesan…a snowfall of mozzarella…topped with paper thin slices of pepperoni…
…baked in a 450 degree oven for ten to fifteen minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly and you can’t wait one more minute to dive in and go to town and feel in awe of what cheese and pepperoni can do to a plain piece of chicken that’s just waiting for the chance to dress up and be seen.
Aaaaaaaaaaaand breathe………
Fyoooo – I said that in one breath.
Pepperoni Chicken Pamesan has me doing crazy things…writing run-ons…interrupting Nick’s studies to invite him home for a quick meal.
Yep, I did. I told myself I wouldn’t bother him (cough) but as these little babies came out of the oven I had to text and tell him that Pepperoni Chicken Parmesan was on the menu…
He came home. (hehehehe)
I have a feeling Pepperoni Chicken Parmesan will make it to the menu quite a bit in the upcoming weeks (winkwink)…
Hey! A boy’s gotta eat…………….his mama’s cookin’……
Buon Appetito!
PrintPepperoni Chicken Parmesan
- Category: Dinner
Ingredients
- 4 – skinless, boneless chicken breasts, pounded to about 3/4” thick
- Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
- 1/2 cup flour
- 2 eggs, lightly scrambled with a fork
- 2 cups panko breadcrumbs
- 3/4 cup olive oil, divided
- 2 – 3 cups marinara sauce, divided
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 1/2 cups freshly grated mozzarella cheese
- 4 oz. thinly sliced pepperoni
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 450 F.
- Season the chicken with salt and pepper.
- In three separate pie plates place the flour, eggs and breadcrumbs.
- Dust the chicken in the flour.
- Dip in the eggs.
- Then coat both sides of the chicken in the breadcrumbs, pressing to make sure the crumbs adhere.
- In a large skillet over medium-high, heat the oil until shimmering. I cooked in two batches using 3 Tbsp. of oil for each batch.
- Add the chicken and fry for 3 minutes on each side, until cooked all the way through.
- Place chicken on a paper towel lined plate, then transfer to a rimmed baking sheet.
- Top each breast with about 1/3 cup sauce, 1/8 cup Parmesan, 1/3 cup mozzarella and pepperoni.
- Bake the chicken for 10 – 15 minutes, until cheese is melted and bubbling.
- Transfer the chicken to plates, sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley.
- Top with more sauce and a sprinkling of grated Parmesan.
- Serve.
CIAO!
Happy Friday my lovelies!!
karrie @ Tasty Ever After says
We just did chicken parm Saturday night for dinner and I wish I would have seen your recipe before then! Pepperoni on top sounds over the top delicious and extra good eats!!!! I’m trying yours next time 😉
Annie says
If you like pepperoni pizza – you’ll like this!! Thanks, my friend! 🙂
demeter | beaming baker says
Oh, wow. Just WOW. Annie, you seriously did not take an already droolworthy dish and add actual pepperonis on top. Wow. (I know I said that already, but this situation warrants like only a hundred more wows). It’s like you put chicken parmesan and a pepperoni pizza together. 🙂 And, yes, of course Nick came home for this! I would jump on an airplane for these. Hehe. Thanks for sharing another amazing recipe, Annie. Have a great week! Pinning. 🙂
Annie says
Hahahah! I hear you…I’d eat pepperoni on my sneakers! 😉 You are so sweet! Thanks, my friend! 🙂
Ben Maclain says
A shower of freshly grated Parmesan…a snowfall of mozzarella…how poetic, Annie! Indeed, this dish looks great too, elegant and fancy at the same time. If I were the owner of a food magazine, I would definitely use this photo for its cover!:)
Annie says
Hahaha! I just realized I’ve created quite a storm preparing these babies! wauhwauhhhh! Wow – thank you so much! If only you were the owner of a food magazine!!! I think you need to get on that, Ben! 🙂
Stacey @ The Sugar Coated Cottage says
Oh boy! These are amazing and panko, panko, panko, just doesn’t get any better. I would come running home to, lol, he made a wise choice. His studies had to get better after this meal. Take care!
Annie says
Hahah! Thanks, friend! This is a meal that gets me running every time too! 🙂
mira says
Such a lovely dish ! So glad you added pepperoni, looks even more delicious! Need to make it!
Annie says
Thank you, Mira! Happy Sunday! 🙂
Kathy @ Beyond the Chicken Coop says
This looks so tempting….I can’t even imagine the smells! You’ve got one lucky boy who is well loved and fed!
Annie says
The aroma is just as divine as the flavor! Thanks, friend!! 🙂
Kevin | Keviniscooking says
I’m sure these smell amazing as are these pics. At first, not looking at the title, I thought it was pizza, but chicken And Pepperoni? Hold me back! Lucky boy…
Annie says
Chicken and pepperoni! A super combination!! Thanks, friend! 🙂
Medha @ Whisk & Shout says
This sounds epic! All of the tomatoey, cheesy, goodness 🙂
Annie says
Such a fun Friday night meal!! Thanks, friend!
Amanda says
Amazing! I can almost smell this! It looks fabulous, and that yummy crunch from the Panko sounds so satisfying.
Annie says
I love Panko! When those crumbs first hit the scene I was a very happy lady! Thanks, my dear! Have a great weekend! 🙂
Manali @ CookWithManali says
looks like a very comforting dish Annie!
Annie says
Mm-hmmm! We’ll have this for dinner and your creme brulee for dessert! Deal? 🙂
Kathleen | Hapa Nom Nom says
This has my husband written all over it! His most favorite dish in the world is chicken parmesan and any time we order pizza, it’s gotta be pepperoni. This is a marriage made in heaven! And I love the photos Annie, so colorful and so vibrant! I always love that the best Italian dishes have the colors of the Italian flag – coincidence….. I think not 😉
Annie says
It’s so funny you say that…I’ve always loved the vibrant colors of my favorite Italian dishes! Yep, your hubby would love this! Thanks, my friend! 🙂
Rachel @ Bakerita says
Yuuum yes please! This sounds absolutely incredible and I bet it did smell totally delicious. The pepperoni was such a good addition.
Annie says
A perfect alternative to pepperoni pizza! Thanks, friend!
Kim | Low Carb Maven says
Oh, wow! I am head over heels in love with this dish. Man, I just wanted to reach through the screen and serve myself a piece of that chicken-Parmesan-pepperoni heaven! I can’t wait to make this recipe for my family. Thanks so much!
Annie says
That’s wonderful! I hope you all enjoy! Thanks for stopping by with a kind word! 🙂
Marisa Franca @ All Our Way says
This looks aaaaaaahhhhhhhhmmmmmmaaaaaazzzzzzing! And by golly any mamma worth her salt will cook a meal that her kids can’t resist 🙂 Now the trouble I would have is keeping any pepperoni on hand — hubby would be snacking on it like mad. Can’t keep salami or pepperoni on reserve. Can’t wait to make this Annie! Have a great weekend.
Annie says
Hhahahha! That means you like it?! 😉 Thank you, dear! I hear you – I had to exert self control when it came to the pepperoni – it’s too easy to eat without thinking twice about it! Have a lovely weekend, Marisa!
Jen | Baked by an Introvert says
This chicken parmesan sounds amazing! Love the addition of pepperoni! Can’t wait to give this a try.
Annie says
Thanks, Jen! I hope you try it! 🙂
Rachelle @ Beer Girl Cooks says
There’s nothing better than mama’s cooking to bring the kids running home! I’ve never had pepperoni on chicken parm before, but that looks delicious! This dish is going to be on our menu in the near future too. In fact, I think we’ll have it tonight!
Annie says
I think you’re really going to love it, Rachelle! Enjoy, my friend! 🙂
Mir says
I can’t WAIT to lure my kids home with their favorite meal. Oh, the craftiness of moms everywhere. It’s splendid. And this is like a pizza in a chicken dish. So cool!
Annie says
A mama’s gotta do what a mama’s gotta do! 😉 It doesn’t always work out – but boy when it does – happy day! Thanks, friend! 🙂
Dawn @ Girl Heart Food says
I can smell this right now, Annie, from the lovely way you are describing it! Nothing like a good home cooked meal, especially when it looks this good. How can you beat panko crusted chicken with cheese & marinara sauce anyway, right? Loving this one! Pinning 🙂 Have a great weekend!
Annie says
You just can’t beat it! Thanks, my friend! Have a lovely weekend! 🙂
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says
Nothing beats the aromas of something delicious cooking wafting through the house! I can practically smell this chicken through my computer screen, Annie!! Boy is a pepperoni addict, so I know he’d go absolutely bonkers over this chicken!! And I simply love all things delish, so I’m over here swooning! Who needs pizza when you can have this??! Infinitely more tasty and healthier to boot! Love it! Pinned! Cheers, dear, to a weekend as fabulous as you!
P.s. I love how you sneakily get your son to get home! Nothing beats a meal cooked by mama! Xo
Annie says
That’s what I say! Who needs pizza when you can have this?! That was sneaky, wasn’t it? I just knew he’d love it! hahahah! Thanks, my friend!! Have a great weekend! xo
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
I can practically smells this deliciousness right now, which is making me wish I could reach through my screen and grab a plate! I love how you jazzed up chicken Parmesan! Definitely a creative and delicious way. Sounds just perfect for the weekend!
Annie says
This is a perfect weekend meal! I’d eat almost every night if I could, though! 😉 I love it! Thanks, friend!