Ground Chicken Parmesan Recipe
This Ground Chicken Parmesan recipe offers a flavorful and lighter take on the classic Italian-American dish. Ground chicken is seasoned and browned, simmered in rich marinara sauce, topped with melted mozzarella and parmesan cheese, and finished with crunchy toasted panko breadcrumbs for extra texture. Perfect served over pasta, it’s a comforting and family-friendly meal that combines savory herbs, cheese, and a crispy breadcrumb topping.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients
For the Toasted Breadcrumbs
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon Italian seasoning
For the Ground Chicken Parmesan
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 teaspoon salt, divided in half
- 4 cloves garlic, roughly chopped
- 2 pounds ground chicken
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 770 mL marinara sauce (1 jar Rao’s)
- 1 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 2 sprigs fresh basil
- 1½ to 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Prepare the Toasted Breadcrumbs: In a large non-stick skillet over medium-low heat, melt the butter. Add the panko breadcrumbs along with salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and Italian seasoning. Spread the mixture evenly and let it sit undisturbed for 30 seconds to 1 minute to allow toasting. Stir and repeat 2 to 3 times until the breadcrumbs turn a golden brown color. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Sauté Onion and Garlic: Using the same skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add diced onions and half a teaspoon of salt, sautéing for 2 minutes until softened. Add chopped garlic and sauté for an additional minute until fragrant.
- Brown the Ground Chicken: Push the onion and garlic to the side of the skillet to create space in the center. Add ground chicken along with the remaining half teaspoon salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and dried oregano. Cook for 4 to 5 minutes, breaking up the chicken into small pieces as it browns evenly.
- Simmer with Sauce and Cheese: Pour in the marinara sauce, then stir in grated parmesan cheese and add the basil sprigs. Stir the mixture well and let it simmer for 10 minutes to meld flavors.
- Finish with Mozzarella and Breadcrumbs: Remove and discard the basil sprigs. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese evenly on top of the chicken mixture, cover, and cook for another 2 minutes until the cheese melts. Finally, sprinkle the toasted breadcrumbs on top or add them individually when serving. Serve warm over your favorite pasta such as spaghetti, garnished with extra basil if desired.
Notes
- For a crispy topping, keep the toasted breadcrumbs separate until serving to maintain their crunch.
- You can substitute ground chicken with ground turkey or lean ground beef if preferred.
- Use fresh herbs for added flavor if available, especially fresh basil and oregano.
- This dish pairs well with spaghetti, penne, or any pasta of your choice.
- For a lower-fat version, reduce the cheese quantities or use part-skim mozzarella.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop or microwave.
Find it online: https://flavorspath.com/ground-chicken-parmesan-recipe/
