Trader Joes Chicken Parmesan Recipe

This Trader Joe’s Chicken Parmesan is a crispy and cheesy hack, which uses frozen breaded chicken tenderloins and jarred marinara. It’s a 20-minute weeknight savior, ready in no time.

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Trader Joes Chicken Parmesan Ingredients

• 1 package (1.5 lbs) Trader Joe’s Breaded Chicken Tenderloin Breasts (frozen)
• 1 jar (24 oz) Trader Joe’s Tomato Basil Marinara (or Roasted Garlic Marinara)
• 1 ½ cups Shredded Mozzarella Cheese (part-skim or whole milk)
• ½ cup Grated Parmesan Cheese
• Fresh basil leaves, chopped (for garnish)
• 8 oz Spaghetti or Angel Hair pasta (for serving)
• Cooking spray (if baking)

How To Make Trader Joes Chicken Parmesan

1. Cook the chicken: There are two ways to prep the base.
   • Air Fryer (Recommended): Preheat air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Arrange the frozen chicken tenderloins in a single layer. Cook for 12–15 minutes, flipping halfway, until they are deep golden brown and very crispy.
   • Oven: Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Place frozen chicken on a baking sheet. Bake for 20–25 minutes until crispy.
2. Boil the pasta: While the chicken cooks, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the spaghetti according to package directions until al dente. Drain and toss with a little olive oil or a ladle of the marinara sauce to prevent sticking.
3. Warm the sauce: Pour the marinara sauce into a saucepan and heat over medium heat until bubbling. (Alternatively, you can just use it room temperature if you are broiling, but warm sauce melts the cheese faster).
4. Assemble the Parm: Once the chicken is crispy, remove it from the oven/air fryer. If you air fried them, transfer the chicken to a baking sheet or oven-safe skillet.
   • Spoon about 1–2 tablespoons of marinara sauce directly onto the center of each chicken tender. (Do not drench the whole piece, or the edges will get soggy).
   • Top the sauce with a generous mound of shredded mozzarella cheese.
   • Sprinkle the grated Parmesan over the mozzarella.
5. Melt the cheese: Place the baking sheet under the broiler (High) for 2–3 minutes. Watch it closely! You want the cheese to bubble and brown slightly without burning the breading on the chicken.
6. Serve: Place a bed of pasta on each plate. Top with extra marinara sauce. Place 2–3 Chicken Parmesan tenders on top of the pasta. Garnish with fresh basil.

Recipe Tips

• The Chicken Choice: The “Trader Joe’s Breaded Chicken Tenderloin Breasts” found in the freezer section are the best for this because they are raw raw meat (not pre-cooked nuggets) that bake up juicy. The “Gluten Free Breaded Chicken Breast Nuggets” are a good alternative for GF diets.
• Sauce placement: The secret to keeping the “crisp” in Chicken Parm is to keep the sauce in the middle. Leave the crispy edges of the chicken exposed so you get a crunch in every bite.
• Cheese blend: Using a mix of Mozzarella (for the stretch) and Parmesan (for the salty bite) gives the most authentic Italian-American flavor.
• One-Pan Method: If you want to skip the pasta, serve these over a bed of sautéed spinach or zucchini noodles for a low-carb version.

What To Serve With Trader Joes Chicken Parmesan

• Garlic Bread: TJ’s frozen Garlic Naan or Garlic Bread sticks.
• Caesar Salad: A kit from the produce section makes this easy.
• Roasted Broccoli: Cook it on the same sheet pan as the chicken.
• Red Wine: A Chianti or Sangiovese.

How To Store Trader Joes Chicken Parmesan

• Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
• Reheat: Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 4–5 minutes to re-crisp the breading. Microwaving will make the breading soggy.
• Freeze: Freezing the assembled dish isn’t recommended, but you can freeze the cooked chicken tenders separately.

Trader Joes Chicken Parmesan Nutrition Facts

• Calories: 520kcal
• Protein: 32g
• Carbohydrates: 45g
• Fat: 22g
• Saturates: 8g
• Sugar: 6g
• Salt: 1.1g

Nutrition information is estimated per serving (chicken + pasta).

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