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Home » Recipes » Chicken

Chicken Parmesan with Rao's Marinara Sauce

Published: Jun 30, 2021 · Modified: Sep 4, 2023 by Sarah Baumeister · This post may contain affiliate links · 2 Comments

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There are several things that make this Chicken Parmesan with Rao's Marinara Sauce recipe special. Marinating the chicken in the garlic herb egg wash, using fresh mozzarella instead of shredded, and of course, Rao's jarred sauce.

Chicken parmesan plated with pasta and lots of red sauce with melted mozzarella on top. Garnished with parsley flakes.

Chicken Parmesan is a classic Italian recipe, and everyone has their versions. I first came across this recipe on Courtney Cox's Instagram-- who knew Monica is a cook in real life too!? I know! After trying it (and since making it multiple times over) I will never go to another recipe

I have to admit something-- I am late to the game on the Rao's Sauce. Of course, I saw it all over social media, at the store, basically EVERYWHERE. The love for Rao's sauce is far reaching. But I thought, could it really be THAT GOOD. And especially at that price point? At around 7 bucks a jar, is it really worth it when I can get marinara for less than half the price?

Well, the answer is yes. It really is that good. The first time I took the plunge and bought it-- the two-pack was on sale at Costco, I was literally eating it cold out of the jar with a spoon. So yes, it's that good. It is also keto, clean ingredients, and there is no added sugar.

Chicken parmesan cooked in a cream colored baking dish. Covered in red sauce and melted cheese.

Looking for more pasta dinner ideas? If you want something creamy and spicy, try Gigi Hadid Pasta (Spicy Vodka Sauce Pasta). How about the perfect date night pasta dish? Chicken Spinach Alfredo Pasta with Bacon. Looking for something lighter for summer? Greek Pasta Salad might be just the ticket! And finally, a reader FAVORITE-- Olive Garden Copycat Steak Gorgonzola.

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Where is the best price for Rao's Marinara sauce?

close up of rao's jar of sauce with a spoon holding a portion coming out of it

The standard price you are going to see at almost all grocery stores is 6.55 for a 24 oz. jar. Some stores even sell it closer to the 8 dollar range.

Costco has the best price at 10.59 for 2 28 oz. jars. So not only are you getting a little more sauce, it's also a dollar less a jar. A few times a year, Costco puts Rao's on sale for 2 dollars off the purchase price. That's the time to stock up!

Ingredients

ingredients for chicken parmesan on a wooden back drop.
  • 1 jar Rao's marinara sauce
  • 2 large chicken breasts
  • 8 oz. fresh mozzarella
  • 1 cup italian breadcrumbs
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 tbsp. fresh parsley (or 1 tbsp. dry)
  • salt and pepper, to taste
  • ½ cup olive oil
  • ¼ cup parmesan cheese
  • 2 tbsp. water
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced

Instructions

  • Begin by trimming your 2 large chicken breasts into 6 pieces of relatively equal size. You want to make sure they aren't too thick, so they all cook at an equal pace.
  • In two separate bowls, set up your dredging station to bread the chicken. In the first, add eggs, water, parsley, and garlic. In the second, add breadcrumbs, salt, pepper, and parmesan cheese.
  • Place chicken into the first bowl (egg mixture) and make sure they are covered with the egg-herb wash. Place in the fridge and allow to marinate for at least an hour.
uncooked chicken pieces with herbed-egg wash pouring over the top in a white bowl
  • Once the chicken is done marinating, remove from the fridge and begin breading thoroughly in the prepared breadcrumb mixture.
breadcrumbs with flecks of herbs and parmesan cheese in a white bowl
  • While you are coating the chicken breasts, allow olive oil to heat up on medium-high heat in a large shallow pan. I start with half of the oil and then add the remainder after the first batch of chicken is done frying.
  • Place chicken into hot oil (generally 3 at a time, so that you don't overcrowd the pan). Cook for 3-4 minutes per side to get a nice brown crust. You don't have to worry about cooking through because the chicken will finish in the oven. Repeat with the second batch.
  • Preheat oven to 425.
  • In a baking dish (a 9x13 works well), add fried parmesan chicken. Cover with entire jar of Rao's sauce. Top with mozzarella cheese.
  • Place in oven, and bake for 25-30 minutes, until chicken is cooked through and cheese is melted and bubbly.
chicken parmesan process 1
chicken parmesan process 1
chicken parmesan process 2
chicken parmesan process 2
chicken parmesan process 3
chicken parmesan process 3

Marinating chicken in egg wash

This is another thing that truly makes this recipe special, and I learned it from Cox! She said to allow the chicken to sit in the egg, garlic, parsley mixture for at least an hour (in the fridge), but several hours is even better.

I never would have thought to do this, but it's great! The chicken is more flavorful and stays moist. And there is no extra marinating involved other that what you are already doing to create the breadcrumb crust. I love this tip!

chicken parmesan plated with pasta and a salad in the background.

Extra sauce+extra cheesy

This Chicken Parmesan with Rao's Marinara Sauce recipe is extra saucy and extra cheesy and completely delicious. I used to use shredded mozzarella when making chicken parm, but now I am 100% a fresh mozzarella convert. Nothing beats that ooey, gooey cheese right out of the oven.

When Courtney shared this recipe, she uses 2 jars of sauce! I am a saucy girl at heart, but I find one to be enough. It is still extremely saucy this way.

How to serve Chicken Parmesan

Chicken Parmesan is classically served with pasta, try angel hair (capellini), rotini, or linguine. Go with whatever shape is your favorite! You can even make up a quick homemade pasta recipe, like this homemade spinach pasta.

You can certainly enjoy it as is, and it pairs really well with salad too.

Here are some great ideas of different things to serve with Chicken Parmesan. Looking for a vegetarian alternative? Try this Olive Garden Eggplant Parmesan copycat recipe!

chicken parmesan featured

Chicken Parmesan with Rao's Marinara Sauce

Sarah Baumeister
Chicken Parmesan is a classic recipe, but have you ever made it with Rao's marinara sauce? This recipe has herb marinated chicken breasts, fresh mozzarella, and of course the best jarred red sauce out there!
4.39 from 36 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 30 minutes mins
Cook Time 30 minutes mins
Total Time 1 hour hr
Course chicken, dinner
Cuisine Italian
Servings 6 servings
Calories 441 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 jar Rao's marinara sauce
  • 2 large chicken breasts
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 tbsp. fresh parsley or 1 tbsp. dry
  • 2 garlic cloves minced
  • 2 tbsp. water
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 cup italian breadcrumbs
  • ¼ cup parmesan cheese
  • ½ cup olive oil
  • 8 oz. fresh mozzarella

Instructions
 

  • Begin by trimming your 2 large chicken breasts into 6 pieces of relatively equal size. You want to make sure they aren't too thick, so they all cook at an equal pace.
  • In two separate bowls, set up your dredging station to bread the chicken. In the first add eggs, water, parsley, and garlic. In the second, add breadcrumbs, salt, pepper, and parmesan cheese.
  • Place chicken into the first bowl (egg mixture) and make sure they are covered with the egg-herb wash. Place in the fridge and allow to marinate for at least an hour.
  • Once the chicken is done marinating, remove from the fridge and begin breading thoroughly in the prepared breadcrumb mixture.
  • While you are coating the chicken breasts, allow olive oil to heat up on medium-high heat in a large shallow pan. I start with half of the oil and then add the remainder after the first batch of chicken is done frying.
  • Place chicken into hot oil (generally 3 at a time, so that you don't overcrowd the pan). Cook for 3-4 minutes per side to get a nice brown crust. You don't have to worry about cooking through because the chicken will finish in the oven. Repeat with the second batch.
  • Preheat oven to 425.
  • In a baking dish (a 9x13 works well), add fried parmesan chicken. Cover with entire jar of Rao's sauce. Top with mozzarella cheese.
  • Place in oven, and baEk for 25-30 minutes, until chicken is cooked through and cheese is bubbly.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 441kcalCarbohydrates: 16gProtein: 25gFat: 30gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 20gCholesterol: 124mgSodium: 653mgFiber: 1gSugar: 2g
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Geri

    November 28, 2023 at 12:27 am

    5 stars
    This always comes out great. I don't bake with as much sause and using Fontia cheese makes it even better, mozzarella can get rubbery but Fontia cheese melts nicely. My picky eaters loved it.

    Reply
    • Sarah Baumeister

      November 28, 2023 at 2:33 am

      Love how you make this your own Geri! Thanks for sharing.

      Reply
4.39 from 36 votes (35 ratings without comment)

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Hi, I'm Sarah!

I am a wife, mother, and believer. I have been cooking since I can remember and love sharing recipes with all of you. You will find a variety of recipes here from healthy family dinners, to ways to prepare venison, to soups, to baked goods, anything and everything delicious.

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