1. Prepare the Chicken:

• Pound the Chicken: Place the chicken breasts between two sheets of plastic wrap or parchment paper. Gently pound them with a meat mallet or rolling pin to an even thickness of about 1/2 inch. This ensures they cook evenly and stay juicy.
• Season the Chicken: Season both sides of the chicken breasts with salt and pepper.

2. Bread the Chicken:

• Set Up Breading Station: In three separate shallow bowls, set up the breading station:
  1. In the first bowl, place the all-purpose flour.
  2. In the second bowl, whisk the eggs with 2 tablespoons of water.
  3. In the third bowl, combine the breadcrumbs with 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese.
• Coat the Chicken: Dredge each chicken breast in the flour, ensuring it’s fully coated. Dip it into the egg mixture, then coat it with the breadcrumb mixture, pressing lightly to make sure the crumbs stick. Set the breaded chicken aside.

3. Fry the Chicken:

• Heat the Oil: In a large skillet, heat about 1/4 inch of olive oil over medium-high heat. You can test the oil by dropping in a small piece of breadcrumb; if it sizzles, the oil is ready.
• Cook the Chicken: Fry the chicken breasts, one or two at a time (depending on the size of your skillet), for 3-4 minutes per side, or until golden brown and crispy. The internal temperature should reach 165°F. Once cooked, transfer the chicken to a paper-towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.

4. Make the Marinara Sauce (Optional but Recommended):

• Sauté the Garlic: In a medium saucepan, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant (be careful not to burn the garlic).
• Add the Tomatoes: Add the crushed tomatoes, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, pepper, and sugar (if using) to the pan. Stir well and let the sauce simmer on low heat for 15-20 minutes, allowing the flavors to develop.

5. Assemble the Chicken Parmesan:

• Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
• Layer the Chicken: Place the fried chicken breasts on a baking sheet or in an oven-safe baking dish.
• Top with Sauce and Cheese: Spoon marinara sauce generously over each piece of chicken, then sprinkle with shredded mozzarella cheese and the remaining 1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese.
• Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden.

6. Serve:

• Garnish: Garnish with chopped fresh basil or parsley for a pop of color and fresh flavor.
• Serve: Serve the Chicken Parmesan hot, ideally over a bed of spaghetti or with garlic bread on the side.