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Updated September 12, 2026
Chicken Parmigiana

Olive Garden Chicken Parmigiana (Chicken Parmesan)

Two lightly fried parmesan-breaded chicken breasts with our homemade marinara and melted Italian cheeses. Served with a side of spaghetti.

4.6 · 11 ratings

About This Dish

Olive Garden Chicken Parmigiana is a Classic Entrées staple priced at $20.49 for the dinner portion, with 1,020 calories, 51 grams of fat and 3,300 milligrams of sodium. Two lightly fried, parmesan-breaded chicken breasts are covered in the house marinara and a layer of melted Italian cheeses, and the plate comes with a side of spaghetti in the same marinara. It is one of the three dishes that make up the Tour of Italy, and it is the entrée most often ordered by guests who want something breaded and cheesy rather than cream-based. Dine-in orders include unlimited breadsticks and soup or salad.

The dish is offered in three sizes. The dinner plate has two chicken breasts; the Lighter Portion ($14.49) and the Lunch-Sized Favorite ($12.49, weekdays until 3 PM) each have one breast and 630 calories. Guests avoiding gluten can order the Grilled Chicken Parmigiana from the Gluten Sensitive menu at $20.49, which swaps the breading for a grilled breast. For groups there is a family-size pan of Chicken Parmigiana with spaghetti that serves 4 to 6 for $59.99, and a Family-Style Chicken Parmigiana Bundle that adds the house salad and a dozen breadsticks for $74.49.

Nutrition Facts

Per serving

1020 Calories
51g Total Fat
3300mg Sodium

* Nutritional values are approximate and may vary. Last updated Sep 12, 2026

Chicken Parmigiana Price by Menu

The same dish is offered on more than one Olive Garden menu — portion and price differ.

MenuListed asPriceCalories
Classic Entrées Chicken Parmigiana $20.49 1,020 cal
Lighter Portions Chicken Parmigiana $14.49 630 cal
Lunch-Sized Favorites Chicken Parmigiana $12.49 630 cal

How to Copycat Olive Garden Chicken Parmigiana at Home?

Prep: 20 min Cook: 30 min Total: 50 min Medium

Olive Garden Chicken Parmigiana is one of the best-known Italian-American dishes on the menu, featuring breaded chicken with marinara and mozzarella served over spaghetti. The copycat version focuses on two key techniques: getting the breading extra crispy before baking, and using a properly reduced marinara sauce rather than a thin, watery substitute.

Getting the chicken pounded to an even 1/2-inch thickness before breading ensures even cooking and that restaurant-quality texture. The Parmesan-enriched breadcrumb coating is what gives Olive Garden's version its distinct savory crust. Finishing in the oven after pan-frying locks in the juices while the mozzarella forms a golden, bubbly cap on top.

Ingredients

4 servings

Chicken

Sauce and Topping

Pasta

Instructions

0 / 7
  1. Place chicken breasts between plastic wrap and pound to 1/2-inch thickness using a meat mallet.

    5 min

    Even thickness is critical. Uneven chicken cooks unevenly, leaving one part dry while the other is underdone.

  2. Set up a breading station: flour in one dish, beaten eggs in a second, and combined Italian breadcrumbs and Parmesan in a third. Season each station with salt and pepper.

    3 min
  3. Dredge each chicken breast in flour, then egg, then press firmly into the breadcrumb-Parmesan mixture to coat all sides.

    5 min
  4. Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Pan-fry the breaded chicken for 3 to 4 minutes per side until deep golden brown.

    8 min
  5. Preheat oven to 400F. Spoon marinara sauce over each chicken breast and top generously with shredded mozzarella.

    3 min
  6. Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake for 12 to 15 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbling and the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165F.

    15 min
  7. Cook spaghetti in well-salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and serve topped with the chicken parmigiana and additional marinara.

    10 min

Pro Tips

  • Use a mix of Italian breadcrumbs and panko in a 2:1 ratio for extra crispiness that holds up under the sauce.
  • Do not skip the flour step. Flour helps the egg adhere, which keeps the breadcrumb coating from sliding off during frying.
  • Warm the marinara before spooning it over the chicken. Cold sauce on hot chicken lowers the pan temperature and affects the final texture.

Variations

Eggplant Parmigiana

Slice eggplant into 1/2-inch rounds, salt and drain for 30 minutes, then bread and fry using the same method. Bake with marinara and mozzarella.

Spicy Arrabbiata Version

Replace the standard marinara with a spicy arrabbiata sauce made with crushed red pepper flakes, garlic, and tomatoes for a heat-forward variation.

Serving Ideas

  • Serve over spaghetti tossed with olive oil and fresh basil
  • Pair with garlic bread or Italian breadsticks
  • Side of roasted zucchini or a simple Caesar salad completes the meal
  • A glass of Chianti or Sangiovese pairs well with the tomato-forward sauce

Find Chicken Parmigiana Near You

Visit one of Olive Garden's 900+ locations to enjoy the Chicken Parmigiana at $20.49.

Olive Garden Near Me

Frequently Asked Questions

The dinner portion with two chicken breasts is $20.49. The Lighter Portion is $14.49 and the Lunch-Sized Favorite, served weekdays until 3 PM, is $12.49; both come with one breast. Dine-in orders include unlimited breadsticks and soup or salad. Prices vary slightly in New York, Alaska and California.
The dinner portion has 1,020 calories, 51 grams of fat and 3,300 milligrams of sodium. The lunch and lighter portions have 630 calories each. The sodium is high because of the breading, marinara and cheese, so it is worth noting if you are watching salt.
Two parmesan-breaded chicken breasts topped with marinara and melted Italian cheeses, plus a side of spaghetti with marinara. When you dine in, unlimited breadsticks and your choice of soup or house salad are included.
The breaded version is not gluten free, but the Gluten Sensitive menu offers Grilled Chicken Parmigiana at $20.49: a grilled chicken breast with marinara and melted cheese served over gluten-free rotini instead of spaghetti.
Pound chicken breasts thin, coat them in seasoned breadcrumbs mixed with parmesan, pan-fry until golden, then top with marinara and mozzarella and bake until the cheese melts. Serve over spaghetti tossed with more marinara. The full recipe on this page takes about 45 minutes.

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