Mozzarella Stuffed Chicken Parmesan (Printer-Friendly)

Juicy chicken filled with mozzarella, baked in marinara and cheese for a comforting Italian-inspired dinner.

# What You’ll Need to Cook:

→ Main Components

01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
02 - 120 g mozzarella cheese, sliced or shredded
03 - 30 ml olive oil

→ Breading and Coating

04 - 100 g all-purpose flour
05 - 2 g salt
06 - 1 g ground black pepper
07 - 2 large eggs
08 - 100 g seasoned panko breadcrumbs
09 - 40 g grated Parmesan cheese

→ Baking and Serving

10 - 400 ml marinara sauce
11 - 10 g finely chopped fresh parsley
12 - 5 g torn fresh basil leaves
13 - 300 g cooked pasta, for serving (optional)

# Steps to Prepare:

01 - Brush a large oven-safe pan with olive oil to coat the bottom. Preheat oven to 175°C.
02 - Slice each chicken breast horizontally, being careful not to cut all the way through. Open each breast flat so it resembles a butterfly shape.
03 - Place one quarter of the mozzarella in the centre of each butterflied chicken breast. Fold over to seal cheese inside.
04 - Arrange three shallow dishes: one with flour mixed with salt and pepper, one with beaten eggs, and one with breadcrumbs combined with Parmesan cheese.
05 - Dredge stuffed chicken breasts in flour, coating both sides. Dip in egg, then press into the breadcrumb-Parmesan mixture, ensuring an even coating.
06 - Transfer breaded chicken to prepared pan. Bake for 25 minutes until lightly golden.
07 - Remove pan from oven. Spoon marinara around chicken pieces and lay additional mozzarella slices on top of each breast.
08 - Return pan to oven and bake an additional 10–15 minutes, until chicken is cooked through and cheese is melted.
09 - Sprinkle with chopped parsley and fresh basil. Serve over cooked pasta if desired.

# Extra Cooking Tips:

01 - Close butterflied chicken with toothpicks or a wooden skewer to keep cheese from leaking during cooking. Always remove before serving.
02 - Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken reaches 74°C internal temperature.
03 - For extra-crispy cheese topping, briefly broil the chicken at 260°C for 2–3 minutes after baking.