Learn how to make delicious Chicken Parmesan using frozen chicken breasts. Quick and convenient for busy weeknights.
My newest favorite thing is cooking fish fillets and chicken breasts straight from frozen. Why? Well, I don’t have to decide ahead of time what we’re having for dinner. When I’m ready to cook, I just reach into my freezer and grab what I’m in the mood for. It’s great.
I figured out a little while ago how to cook fish fillets from frozen and then how to cook chicken breasts from frozen. Both methods work great. Since then I’ve been riffing on the methods, coming up with more recipes, especially frozen chicken breast recipes. The one I’m sharing today is a true family favorite: Chicken Parmesan. How can you go wrong? Chicken, crunch breadcrumbs, tomato sauce and melted cheese. Yes. So good.
How To Prepare For The Freezer
Before you get to the cooking, it’s important to freeze your breasts correctly in the first place. You need to make sure that your chicken breasts were originally frozen individually.
If you bought them frozen, they should be all separate in the bag. You’re golden. If you bought them fresh, they probably came all squished together in a pack. You need to take them out of there and freeze them individually, in a single layer and not touching on a pan. Then, once frozen, transfer them to a ziptop bag.
Making Chicken Parmesan From Frozen Chicken
Then to make the Chicken Parmesan, here’s what you do. Get out the breasts and put them on a lightly oiled baking sheet (I really like this one. It’s thick and sturdy and holds up to the high temperature that the chicken is cooked at). Spread a bit of tomato sauce on each one. Top that with a panko breadcrumb and oil mixture.
Bake at 425ºF until breadcrumbs are brown and chicken is cooked through. Take the chicken out of the oven and preheat the broiler. Top each breast with some tomato sauce and then some mozzarella cheese. Put it under the broiler just until the cheese is melted. And then eat.
More Chicken Breast Recipes
Get wonderful variety with cooking chicken breasts and save these tasty recipes too.
Chicken Parmesan Using Frozen Chicken Breasts Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Entrée
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
DESCRIPTION
Learn how to make delicious Chicken Parmesan using frozen chicken breasts. Quick and convenient for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup panko breadcrumbs
- cooking oil
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1/8 tsp. black pepper
- 1/4 tsp. garlic powder
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 4 medium frozen boneless skinless chicken breasts (that were frozen individually and are not attached to each other now)
- 1/3 cup tomato sauce, divided
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°F. Lightly oil a baking sheet.
- In a small bowl combine panko, 1 tablespoon cooking oil, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and Parmesan cheese.
- Place chicken breasts on prepared pan and brush the top of each with about 1 teaspoon of tomato sauce. Top each with one quarter of the breadcrumbs.
- Bake until cooked through to 165°F, as read on an instant-read thermometer, 30-40 minutes. (*If using thawed chicken breasts, cook until cooked through to 165°F, or about 20-25 minutes).
- Remove from oven and preheat broiler. Top each breast with 1 heaped tablespoon of tomato sauce and 2 tablespoons mozzarella. Broil until cheese is melted, 2-3 minutes.
Love this recipe? I’d appreciate it if you could scroll down and add a *5 star rating* to help others know they’ll love it as well!
This was so good! And using frozen chicken breasts makes it so easy!! The panko topping was perfect.
Thank you so much, Kelleigh! I’m glad it was easy for you.
Hi, could I freeze once cooked?
Thanks
Yes Rona, you can freeze chicken Parmesan once it is cooked. Freeze portions in a single layer in a ziptop bag for up to 1 month. But you know what I think I’d do? I wouldn’t bread the chicken first, I’d do it without breading. Top it with tomato sauce and cheese, then freeze the portions. Then defrost them and reheat them. While they’re reheating, make some toasted breadcrumbs like described here – https://cookthestory.com/chicken-parmesan/ Sprinkle those over the finished hot chicken parm. Enjoy!
Can’t wait to try this . The picture is awesome made me want to grab a fork
This is great! I’ve also used the same technique for cheddar/ranch chicken: use ranch dressing in place of tom sauce & cheddar cheese in place of the mozzarella. Now, I want to try the taco chicken suggested by another commenter.
Sharon, That sounds delicious. I’m going to give it a try!
I am trying the same thing but using Helmens mayo bread crumbs and Italian seasoning guess we will see how it turned out lol
How was it, Jason? Sounds great!
Sounds great! Just want to clarify, panko mixture only goes on top of chicken (not bottom)? Also, do you bake uncovered? Thanks!
Carrie, Yes, just on the top. When the chicken is frozen like that you can’t really get it to adhere to the bottom properly. And yes, bake it uncovered.
Great technique. The Chicken Parm was really good and so easy. I used the same technique to make ‘Taco Chicken’. I substituted salsa for the tomato sauce, taco seasoning for the spices and shredded Monterey jack for the mozzarella. It was fantastic!
Rick, That sound fantastic. I might just have to put it on my blog some time soon. Have a great day!
I think your recipes are great Christine. I don’t know how I came across your website, some food recipe googling I guess. This Parmesan Chicken was a big hit with me for it being quick and nutrition and with my family for it being tasty. I also made your quinoa and cauliflower yesterday as I decided a meat free Monday was a good idea, although my 16 year old carnivorous son moaned a bit.
Many Thanks, I will be a regular visitor to your site.
Frances
Frances, Thank you so much for your lovely comment. I appreciate the feedback and am delighted that you and your family have enjoyed my recipes. Have a great day!