You’re probably wondering if chicken parmesan can get any better, right. Well, here’s the thing: most versions stick to marinara sauce, which is delicious, but what if you added a creamy alfredo twist with sun-dried tomatoes instead. That combination of crispy, breaded chicken with rich, velvety sauce changes everything about this dish.
Why You’ll Love this chicken parmesan
Why wouldn’t you love a chicken dish that’s crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and coated in a savory blend of breadcrumbs, parmesan, and herbs? I mean, you get that satisfying crunch when you bite through, followed by juicy chicken that practically melts on your tongue.
The alfredo sauce with sun-dried tomatoes brings this elegant richness that makes you feel like you’re eating at a fancy restaurant, except you’re in your kitchen in your comfortable clothes. Plus, it’s genuinely simple to pull together on a weeknight without sacrificing that restaurant-quality taste.
Also read: Homemade Chicken Pot Pie Recipe: Comfort in Pastry
What Ingredients are in chicken parmesan?
This savory chicken parmesan recipe brings together simple pantry staples and fresh ingredients to create a restaurant-quality dish at home. The combination of seasoning, breadcrumb coating, and creamy alfredo sauce transforms basic chicken breasts into an impressive main course that tastes far more complicated than it actually is.
Each ingredient plays a specific role in building layers of flavor and texture that make this dish so satisfying.
Ingredients:
- 2-4 chicken breasts
- Salt
- Lemon pepper
- Garlic powder
- 1/8 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1/8 cup dried parsley
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 3/4 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 jar Classico Alfredo with sun dried tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon fresh parsley
- Olive oil (approximately 1 tablespoon for cooking)
It bears mentioning that most of these ingredients are likely already in your kitchen, making this an accessible weeknight meal. The quality of your chicken breasts matters—select ones that are relatively uniform in thickness so they cook evenly.
If you can’t find Classico Alfredo with sun-dried tomatoes, a regular alfredo sauce works well, though you may want to add sun-dried tomatoes separately for that distinctive flavor. Fresh parsley as a garnish is optional but highly recommended for adding brightness and visual appeal to the finished dish.
How to Make this chicken parmesan
- Begin by seasoning your 2-4 chicken breasts with very little lemon pepper, salt, and garlic powder on both sides. In a shallow bowl, combine 1/8 cup grated parmesan cheese, 1/8 cup dried parsley, 1 tablespoon paprika, and 3/4 cup breadcrumbs, mixing thoroughly until evenly distributed.
- Roll each seasoned chicken breast in this breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently so the coating adheres well to all sides. Heat approximately 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat until shimmering, then carefully place the coated chicken breasts into the pan.
- Brown the chicken breasts lightly on both sides, which should take about 3-4 minutes per side. Once they achieve a golden color, transfer the skillet to a preheated oven and bake for 10-15 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and no longer pink inside.
- While the chicken finishes cooking in the oven, warm 1 jar of Classico Alfredo with sun-dried tomatoes in a small saucepan over low heat, stirring in 1 teaspoon of fresh parsley and allowing it to warm for 3-5 minutes.
- Remove the chicken from the oven and pour the warm alfredo sauce generously over each breast. For extra richness and visual appeal, sprinkle additional fresh parmesan cheese on top if desired.
- Serve immediately with your choice of pasta, allowing the creamy sauce to coat both the chicken and noodles for a complete, satisfying meal.
Chicken Parm with Alfredo, Mozzarella, and Browned Bits Recipe
Ingredients
Method
- Begin by seasoning your 2-4 chicken breasts with very little lemon pepper, salt, and garlic powder on both sides. In a shallow bowl, combine 1/8 cup grated parmesan cheese, 1/8 cup dried parsley, 1 tablespoon paprika, and 3/4 cup breadcrumbs, mixing thoroughly until evenly distributed.
- Roll each seasoned chicken breast in this breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently so the coating adheres well to all sides. Heat approximately 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat until shimmering, then carefully place the coated chicken breasts into the pan.
- Brown the chicken breasts lightly on both sides, which should take about 3-4 minutes per side. Once they achieve a golden color, transfer the skillet to a preheated oven and bake for 10-15 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and no longer pink inside.
- While the chicken finishes cooking in the oven, warm 1 jar of Classico Alfredo with sun-dried tomatoes in a small saucepan over low heat, stirring in 1 teaspoon of fresh parsley and allowing it to warm for 3-5 minutes.
- Remove the chicken from the oven and pour the warm alfredo sauce generously over each breast. For extra richness and visual appeal, sprinkle additional fresh parmesan cheese on top if desired.
- Serve immediately with your choice of pasta, allowing the creamy sauce to coat both the chicken and noodles for a complete, satisfying meal.
Notes
Chicken Parmesan Substitutions and Variations
Now that you’ve mastered the classic version, here’s where things get fun—you can totally make this dish your own by swapping out ingredients or trying different flavor combinations. I’d suggest replacing the Alfredo sauce with marinara for a traditional twist, or trying pesto for something herbier. You could swap breadcrumbs for crushed panko for extra crunch, or mix in some Italian seasoning with your coating. Want spice? Add cayenne pepper to your breading. Prefer different proteins? Pound out turkey breasts or even thick fish fillets work beautifully. The beauty here is flexibility—make it match what your kitchen’s craving today.chicken parmesan Substitutions and Variations
Now that you’ve mastered the classic version, here’s where things get fun—you can totally make this dish your own by swapping out ingredients or trying different flavor combinations.
I’d suggest replacing the Alfredo sauce with marinara for a traditional twist, or trying pesto for something herbier. You could swap breadcrumbs for crushed panko for extra crunch, or mix in some Italian seasoning with your coating.
Want spice? Add cayenne pepper to your breading. Prefer different proteins? Pound out turkey breasts or even thick fish fillets work beautifully. The beauty here is flexibility—make it match what your kitchen’s craving today.
What to Serve with chicken parmesan
Ever wonder why some chicken parmesan meals feel complete while others leave you staring at your plate thinking something’s missing? I’d serve this creamy alfredo chicken over al dente pasta—it’s basically made for each other.
Add a crisp side salad with lemon vinaigrette to cut through the richness, or roasted vegetables like zucchini and bell peppers. Garlic bread works too if you’re feeling indulgent. The key is balancing that heavy, cheesy sauce with something fresh and bright. Trust me, your taste buds will thank you for the contrast.
Final Thoughts
This chicken parmesan recipe hits different because it strips away the complicated fuss while keeping all the delicious payoff. I’d argue that swapping traditional marinara for creamy Alfredo with sun-dried tomatoes transforms dinner into something restaurant-worthy without the stress. You’re looking at minimal prep, quick cooking, and maximum flavor—basically the holy trinity of weeknight dinners. The breadcrumb coating stays crispy, the sauce clings perfectly to pasta, and honestly, you’ll wonder why you haven’t made this every week. Give it a shot and watch how simple technique meets impressive results.
