Get ready to enjoy the Copycat Olive Garden Chicken Parmesan. It’s a classic Italian-American dish that’s hard to resist. It has crispy breaded chicken, covered in marinara sauce and melted mozzarella. This dish is a hit and tastes just like Olive Garden’s famous chicken parmigiana.
If you’re missing Olive Garden or want a taste of Italy at home, this recipe is perfect. It includes juicy chicken, tasty sauce, and cheesy goodness. It’s like taking a bite of Italy wherever you are.
Key Takeaways
- Crispy breaded chicken cutlets are the foundation of this Copycat Olive Garden Chicken Parmesan recipe.
- The dish is smothered in a rich marinara sauce and melted mozzarella cheese for maximum flavor and texture.
- This recipe captures the iconic flavors of the Olive Garden chicken parmigiana, allowing you to enjoy the restaurant experience at home.
- It’s a crowd-pleasing Italian-American classic that’s perfect for family dinners or casual gatherings.
- The recipe is easy to follow and can be customized to suit your personal preferences.
The Iconic Olive Garden Chicken Parmigiana
Chicken Parmigiana isn’t from Italy, but it’s a big deal in Italian-American cooking. And it’s easy to see why. Olive Garden’s recipe for Chicken Parmigiana hits all the right notes. The crunchy coating keeps the chicken moist, and the sauce and cheese make it taste amazing.
This recipe is a real winner. It mixes tender chicken with a crispy crust. Then, it adds on rich tomato sauce and melted cheese. Olive Garden knows what they’re doing with this dish.
If you’re into Italian-American food or just a fan of tasty chicken, this recipe is for you. It brings the Olive Garden vibe to your home kitchen. With simple steps to follow, it’s a great way to enjoy a classic.
Ingredients and Preparation For This Copycat Recipe
Essential Ingredients
To make Olive Garden Chicken Parmesan at home, start with some key ingredients:
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Salt and ground black pepper for seasoning
- All-purpose flour
- Eggs and water for the egg wash
- Italian breadcrumbs
- Finely grated or powdered parmesan cheese
- Vegetable oil for frying
- Mozzarella cheese for topping
Breading the Chicken
To bread the chicken, create a breading station. Set up three shallow containers:
- Place all-purpose flour in the first.
- Mix the eggs and water in the second for the egg wash.
- Put Italian breadcrumbs and parmesan cheese in the third.
Cut the chicken breasts in half horizontally to make them thinner. Put the chicken pieces between plastic wrap, and gently pound them to 1/2 inch thick with a meat tenderizer. Season the chicken with salt and ground black pepper on both sides.
Steps for Breading:
- Coat the seasoned chicken in all-purpose flour on both sides.
- Dip the chicken in the egg and water mixture. Let the excess drip off.
- Coat the chicken in the Italian breadcrumbs and parmesan cheese mixture. Press the breading on the chicken.
Put the breaded chicken on a wire rack over a baking tray. This keeps the breading crispy as you prepare the meal.
Cooking the Chicken
To make great Olive Garden Chicken Parmesan at home, the cooking is crucial. We’ll show you how to get your chicken crispy outside and juicy inside.
Steps for Cooking:
- Let the breaded chicken sit for five minutes to help the breading stick.
- Heat some vegetable oil in a rondeau or deep skillet over medium-high heat.
- Check the oil’s temperature with a clip-on deep-fry thermometer and adjust until it’s 350°F.
- Fry the chicken in small batches until golden brown, ensuring the chicken’s inside is 165°F with an instant-read thermometer.
- Move the chicken to a paper towel-lined sheet tray to remove extra oil and keep the breading crisp.
Assembling the Olive Garden Chicken Parmesan Recipe
Steps for Assembling:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F.
- Warm the marinara sauce over low to medium heat on the stove.
- Top the breaded and fried chicken with the warm marinara sauce.
- Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese over the sauced chicken.
- Arrange the chicken in a single layer in a baking dish.
Following these steps will help you make a great Olive Garden Chicken Parmesan at home. The smell of the cooking food will make your mouth water. You’ll be excited for the amazing taste to come.
Serving Suggestions To Go With This Chicken Parm and Pasta Dish
Olive Garden’s Chicken Parmesan is a dish that can be enjoyed in many ways. It goes well with side dishes, making a full meal. A favorite choice is to place the crispy chicken on pasta with a simple tomato-based sauce. The flavors of the chicken and the tangy tomato sauce mix perfectly.
Or, try it with an Olive Garden-style salad. This salad gives the meal a fresh twist. It includes greens, vegetables, and the famous Italian dressing. Together, they create a tasty and balanced meal.
Want it just like Olive Garden? Add breadsticks or garlic bread. The bread’s warm outside and soft inside match the chicken’s flavor.
This dish is so versatile. You can enjoy it with pasta, salad, or bread. No matter your preference, Olive Garden’s Chicken Parmesan will be the highlight of your meal. Your taste buds are sure to love it.
Storing and Reheating Chicken Pasta Leftovers
Love Olive Garden’s Chicken Parmesan? You can keep enjoying it at home. By storing and reheating it right, the flavors will last for days. Here’s how to keep your Chicken Parm fresh, whether in the fridge or freezer.
Storing Leftovers
First, let your Olive Garden Chicken Parmesan cool to room temperature. Then, put the chicken and sauce in an airtight container. You can keep it in the fridge for 3-4 days. If you want it to last longer, freeze it.
For freezing, spread the cooked chicken on a baking sheet. Let it freeze until hard, about 2-3 hours. Then, wrap it in wax paper and foil. Put it in an airtight container and it’s good in the freezer for 3 months.
Reheating Refrigerated Leftovers
The best way to reheat refrigerated Olive Garden Chicken Parm is in the air fryer. Preheat it to 350°F. Cook the chicken for 6 to 8 minutes until it’s 165°F inside.
Or you can use the oven at 350°F. Cover the chicken with foil and bake for 10 minutes. Take off the foil and bake for 5 more minutes. You want the cheese to be bubbly.
Reheating Frozen Leftovers
To reheat frozen Chicken Parmesan, first thaw it in the fridge overnight. After it’s thawed, follow either the air fryer or oven method. For the oven, bake it at 350°F. Start covered with foil for 15-20 minutes, then finish without foil for 5-10 minutes.
Always check the chicken’s internal temperature. It should reach at least 165°F to be safe. Letting the chicken rest a little after heating helps the flavors blend and the cheese to settle.
Recreating the Flavors like Olive Garden Italian Recipes
Authentic Marinara Sauce
To copy Olive Garden’s famous Chicken Parmesan, you must focus on the marinara sauce. While a store-bought sauce works, a homemade one makes a big difference. Making it only takes a short time.
Our homemade marinara sauce is perfect for the crispy chicken. It has a bold tomato taste, with herbs and a hint of sweetness. This makes it taste just right. Choosing the right ingredients and how you make it is the key.
Sauté garlic in olive oil first until it smells good. Then, add diced tomatoes, tomato paste, and a bit of red wine or balsamic vinegar. Season with basil, oregano, and a tad of sugar to match Olive Garden’s flavor. Let it simmer for 10-15 minutes, stirring now and then, until it thickens.
For the best sauce, use top-notch canned tomatoes or fresh Roma tomatoes. It’s important to get the mix of flavor right. This will make your pasta sauce go perfectly with the chicken.
Homemade tomato sauce makes your Chicken Parmesan taste almost like Olive Garden’s. It brings a rich taste you can’t get from a jar. It’s worth making your own sauce for this dish.
Variations and Customizations
The great thing about this grilled chicken parmesan recipe is its flexibility. Though the classic from Olive Garden is fantastic, tweaking it to meet your tastes is also great. You might like to try some changes for special preferences or dietary needs.
Thinking of a big sandwich instead? Try a chicken parm sub. Put the crispy parmesan chicken on a toasted roll with marinara sauce and melty cheese. For something smaller, there’s the fun of Olive Garden chicken parmigiana breadstick sandwiches as an appetizer. It’s a mini indulgence.
To make it lighter, think about using your air fryer or crockpot. An air fryer can keep the outside crispy with less oil. Slow cooking in a crockpot makes the chicken flavorful as it absorb marinara during simmering.
If you’re rushing, try chicken tenders instead of whole breasts. And why not pair it with one of the Olive Garden drinks? It could make the meal extra special.
The customize options are vast. This recipe can be your canvas. So, don’t hesitate to mix it up and add your flair!
Variations and Approximate Time:
- Grilled Chicken Parmesan: Substitute a grilled chicken cutlet for the breaded and fried chicken (30 minutes)
- Chicken Parm Sub: Serve the Chicken Parmigiana on a toasted roll with extra marinara sauce and cheese (35 minutes)
- Olive Garden Chicken Parmigiana Breadstick Sandwich: Make the perfect appetizer with mini sandwiches using breadsticks (40 minutes)
- Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan: Use the air fryer to achieve a crispy exterior with less oil (25 minutes)
- Crockpot Chicken Parmesan: Slow cook the chicken in the marinara sauce for maximum flavor (4-6 hours)
- Chicken Tenders Parmesan: Use chicken tenders instead of full breasts for a quicker prep (25 minutes)
Choosing any variation means focusing on the small touches. It’s key to use top ingredients, bread the chicken well, and let the flavors mix for a mouthwatering meal.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Making a copycat Olive Garden Chicken Parmesan at home is simpler than you might guess. Just follow these steps. You’ll bring the famous tastes and feels of this Italian-American favorite to your table.
- Heat the marinara sauce: First, warm the marinara sauce on the stovetop over low heat. Let it simmer gently while you do the rest.
- Flatten the chicken: Put chicken breasts between plastic wrap. Gently pound them with a meat mallet into thin cutlets. They should be about 1/4 inch thick. This way, the chicken will cook evenly and taste better.
- Season the chicken: Add salt and pepper to both sides of the chicken cutlets.
- Dredge the chicken: Make a dredging station with three bowls. Put flour in the first one. Whisk eggs in the second. Mix panko breadcrumbs and Parmesan in the third. Coat the chicken in flour, then egg, then breadcrumb mix. Make sure to cover each cutlet well.
- Fry the chicken: Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high. Fry the breaded chicken cutlets in batches. They should be golden brown, which takes 2-3 minutes per side.
- Bake the chicken: Move the fried cutlets to a baking dish. Add warm marinara sauce and mozzarella on top. Bake at 375°F for 5-10 minutes, until cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Garnish and serve: Sprinkle fresh parsley on top of the baked chicken Parmesan. Serve it hot with pasta or a salad. It’s a delicious meal for you and your loved ones.
With these instructions, you can make the classic Olive Garden Chicken Parmesan. It tastes just like the original, right in your kitchen. Share this restaurant-quality meal with friends and family and enjoy!
Nutrition and Calorie Information
Making Olive Garden’s famous Chicken Parmesan at home means knowing its nutrition. Our version tastes great. But it’s key to watch the calories and nutrients in each serving.
The single serving has 641 calories. Nearly half are from fat, about a third from protein, and 23% are from carbs. You get a big amount of protein – 46.6g. This is almost all the protein you need in a day.
About the fats, the recipe has 34.1g in total. This includes 6.4g of saturated fat. Plus, there’s 121.6mg of cholesterol, close to half of your daily limit.
In carbs, there are 37.3g, with 2.7g being fiber and 8.1g sugar. Still, it’s rich in vitamins and minerals. For example, you’d get 22% of your daily calcium from it.
A portion of our Olive Garden Chicken Parmesan, without pasta, has 641 calories. There are also healthier choices at Olive Garden:
- Spaghetti and marinara: 480 calories, 10.5g fat, 84g carbs, 5g fiber, 15g sugar, 730mg sodium
- Herb-grilled salmon: 460 calories, 28g fat, 8g carbs, 4g fiber, 3g sugar, 570mg sodium
- Tilapia piccata: 450 calories, 24g fat, 12g carbs, 2g fiber, 5g sugar, 1,010mg sodium
But, Olive Garden also has some high-calorie options:
- Chicken alfredo: 1,480 calories, 94g fat, 95g carbs, 4g fiber, 9g sugar, 1,950mg sodium
- Sausage stuffed giant rigatoni: 1,020 calories, 60g fat, 58g carbs, 4g fiber, 14g sugar, 2,740mg sodium
- Classic calamari: 1,165 calories, 81.5g fat, 76g carbs, 6g fiber, 8g sugar, 2,940mg sodium
Knowing the nutrition helps you pick wisely. Enjoy the Olive Garden Chicken Parmesan, but remember to balance your diet.
Taking My Copycat Olive Garden Chicken Parmesan To Go
Making this copycat Olive Garden chicken parmesan recipe was fun. It let us make this popular Italian-American dish at home. The crispy chicken with marinara sauce and melted cheese tastes just like the actual meal at Olive Garden.
If you love Olive Garden or simply want a tasty dish, this recipe is perfect. Detail is key, from the tasty breading to using top San Marzano tomatoes. Following our guide will bring the much-loved Olive Garden chicken parmesan to your table.
Eating this dish, we hope it feels like you’re at Olive Garden. This homemade version celebrates the joy of recreating favorite flavors. It brings the classic taste of Italy to your kitchen, satisfying your cravings on any day.
OG Chicken Parm FAQ
What are the key ingredients in this copycat Olive Garden Chicken Parmesan recipe?
You’ll need boneless, skinless chicken breasts, marinara sauce, mozzarella, and parmesan cheeses. Also, get all-purpose flour, eggs, water, and Italian breadcrumbs.
How do you prepare the chicken for breading?
Start by cutting chicken in half to make thinner pieces. Then, cover them with plastic wrap. Use a tenderizer to flatten them.
Next, season the chicken with salt and pepper.
What is the process for breading the chicken?
Begin by setting up your breading station. Use separate bowls for flour, egg mix, and breadcrumbs mixed with parmesan.
Coat the chicken in this order before frying them.
How do you cook the breaded chicken?
Heat vegetable oil in a pan. Cook the chicken in batches.
They should be golden brown. It takes about 2-3 minutes per side. Keep the oil at 350°F.
How do you assemble the final Chicken Parmesan dish?
Once the chicken is fried, put it in a baking dish. Add marinara and mozzarella on top.
Then bake it. Take it out when the cheese is melted and bubbly.
What are some serving suggestions for this Olive Garden Chicken Parmesan?
Enjoy it with pasta in tomato sauce. Have a salad and breadsticks or garlic bread on the side.
How can you store and reheat leftover Chicken Parmesan?
Freeze leftover chicken for up to 3 months. To reheat, bake in an oven or air fryer. Cover with foil until cheese is hot and bubbly.
How important is the quality of the marinara sauce in this recipe?
The marinara sauce adds a lot of flavor to the dish. Use a good quality sauce in a jar or make your own.
Can I customize or make variations to this Olive Garden Chicken Parmesan recipe?
Yes, the recipe is very adaptable. You can use grilled chicken, make a sub or try the air fryer or slow cooker. Get creative!
The Best Olive Garden Chicken Parmesan Copycat Recipe You Ever Did See!
Equipment
- Meat mallet or rolling pin
- Shallow bowls or pie plates
- Large skillet
- Baking dish
- Paper towels
Ingredients
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 1 pound)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1 ½ cups Italian breadcrumbs
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese divided
- 3 cups marinara sauce
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese shredded
- Olive oil for frying
- Fresh parsley chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
Prepare the Chicken:
- Slice each chicken breast in half horizontally to create 4 cutlets.
- Use a meat mallet to pound the cutlets to an even thickness.
- Season both sides with salt and pepper.
Dredging Station:
- Set up three shallow bowls: one with flour, one with beaten eggs mixed with water, and one with breadcrumbs mixed with ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese.
Coat the Chicken:
- Dredge each cutlet in flour, shaking off excess.
- Dip into the egg mixture, then coat thoroughly with the breadcrumb mixture, pressing to adhere.
Fry the Chicken:
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Fry the cutlets in batches until golden brown and cooked through, about 3-4 minutes per side.
- Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
Assemble and Bake:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Place the fried chicken cutlets in a single layer in a baking dish.
- Spoon marinara sauce over each cutlet, then sprinkle with mozzarella cheese and the remaining Parmesan cheese.
- Bake for 5-10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Garnish and Serve:
- Garnish with chopped fresh parsley.
- Serve immediately with a side of pasta or a simple salad.
Notes
- For a healthier version, you can grill the chicken cutlets instead of frying.
- This dish pairs well with garlic bread or steamed vegetables.
Chicken Parm Inspirations
