Chicken Parmigiana with Red Wine Tomato Sauce over Linguine Recipe
Introduction
Chicken Parmigiana is a classic Italian-American dish featuring tender breaded chicken breasts topped with rich tomato sauce and melted Parmesan cheese. This comforting meal pairs perfectly with linguine for a satisfying dinner everyone will enjoy.

Ingredients
- 4 whole (up to 6) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, trimmed and pounded flat
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 3/4 cup wine (white or red is fine)
- 3 cans (14.5 oz each) crushed tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 pound thin linguine
Instructions
- Step 1: Mix the flour, salt, and pepper together on a large plate. Dredge the flattened chicken breasts in the flour mixture and set aside.
- Step 2: Start a pot of water for the pasta and cook the linguine until al dente according to package instructions.
- Step 3: Heat the olive oil and butter together in a large skillet over medium heat. Once hot and butter is melted, fry the chicken breasts until golden brown on each side, about 2 to 3 minutes per side. Remove the chicken from the skillet and keep warm.
- Step 4: Without cleaning the skillet, add the chopped onions and garlic. Gently stir for about 2 minutes until softened.
- Step 5: Pour in the wine and scrape the bottom of the pan to release any browned bits. Allow the wine to reduce by half, about 2 minutes.
- Step 6: Add the crushed tomatoes, sugar, and adjust salt and pepper to taste. Let the sauce cook for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Toward the end, add the chopped parsley and stir well.
- Step 7: Carefully place the chicken breasts on top of the sauce and cover them completely with the grated Parmesan cheese. Cover the skillet with a lid, reduce the heat to low, and simmer until the cheese melts and the chicken is heated through. Add more cheese if desired.
- Step 8: To serve, place cooked linguine on a plate, top with the sauce and chicken breast, and garnish with extra parsley. Serve immediately.
Tips & Variations
- Use fresh Parmesan cheese for the best melting and flavor.
- For a richer sauce, add a splash of heavy cream at the end of cooking.
- Try substituting chicken thighs for a juicier alternative.
- Add a pinch of red pepper flakes in the sauce for a subtle spicy kick.
Storage
Store leftover chicken parmigiana and sauce together in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a covered skillet over low heat or in the microwave until warmed through, adding a splash of water or broth to maintain moisture if needed.
How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use pre-made marinara sauce instead of making the tomato sauce?
Yes, pre-made marinara can speed up preparation. Just warm it with onions, garlic, and wine if desired, then proceed with the recipe as usual.
How do I know when the chicken is fully cooked?
Chicken breasts should reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). When simmering with the sauce and cheese, this ensures the chicken is cooked through and safe to eat.
PrintChicken Parmigiana with Red Wine Tomato Sauce over Linguine Recipe
Classic Chicken Parmigiana featuring tender, pan-fried chicken breasts smothered in a rich homemade tomato and wine sauce, topped with melted Parmesan cheese, and served over al dente linguine pasta. This hearty Italian-American dish combines crispy chicken with a flavorful, slow-simmered sauce for a comforting meal.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 4 to 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients
Chicken and Coating
- 4 whole (up to 6) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, trimmed and pounded flat
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Cooking and Sauce
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 3/4 cup wine (white or red)
- 3 cans (14.5 oz each) crushed tomatoes
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 1/4 cube chopped fresh parsley
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Pasta
- 1 lb thin linguine
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Mix the flour, salt, and pepper together on a large plate. Dredge the flattened chicken breasts in the flour mixture and set aside. This coating helps create a delicious, crisp exterior when fried.
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the linguine until al dente according to package instructions, then drain and set aside, keeping warm.
- Fry the Chicken: Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Once the butter is melted and the mixture is hot, fry the chicken breasts for 2 to 3 minutes on each side, until golden brown and cooked through. Remove chicken from skillet and keep warm.
- Prepare the Sauce Base: Without cleaning the skillet, add chopped onions and minced garlic. Gently stir and cook for 2 minutes until fragrant and softened. Pour in the wine and scrape the bottom of the pan to lift all flavorful bits. Allow the wine to reduce by half, about 2 minutes.
- Simmer the Tomato Sauce: Add crushed tomatoes to the skillet, stirring to combine. Stir in sugar, and add salt and pepper to taste. Allow the sauce to simmer gently for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Toward the end of simmering, add chopped fresh parsley and stir well.
- Combine Chicken and Sauce: Carefully place the fried chicken breasts on top of the simmering sauce. Completely cover each breast with freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Place a lid on the skillet, reduce heat to low, and let simmer until the cheese melts and the chicken is heated through; add more cheese if desired.
- Serve: Plate the cooked linguine, spoon generous portions of sauce over the pasta. Top with a Parmesan-covered chicken breast and sprinkle extra fresh parsley for garnish. Serve immediately for best flavor and texture.
Notes
- For best results, pound chicken breasts evenly to ensure quick, uniform cooking.
- You can use either white or red wine depending on your flavor preference — white wine gives a lighter sauce while red adds depth.
- If you want a lower-fat version, reduce the olive oil and butter amounts or use a non-stick skillet for frying.
- Fresh Parmesan cheese melts best and imparts the richest flavor; pre-grated cheese may not melt as smoothly.
- Reserved pasta water can be added to the sauce if it thickens too much during simmering.
Keywords: Chicken Parmigiana, Chicken Parmesan, Italian chicken recipe, pan-fried chicken, tomato sauce, Parmesan cheese, linguine pasta

