Chicken Parmesan
Our Chicken Parmesan (or Chicken Parmigiana if you prefer) is a classic dish that never goes out of style. Made with breaded chicken, marinara sauce and melted cheese, our version is no exception. Perfect when served over pasta, this dish is sure to become a favorite amongst friends and family alike.
**Ingredients:**
For the Chicken:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs
- 2 cups breadcrumbs (preferably Italian-style breadcrumbs)
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Vegetable oil, for frying
For the Assembly:
- 2 cups marinara sauce (homemade or store-bought)
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil or parsley, for garnish (optional)
- Cooked spaghetti or your favorite pasta, for serving
**Instructions:**
**Preparing the Chicken:**
1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Place each chicken breast between two sheets of plastic wrap or parchment paper. Use a meat mallet or a rolling pin to pound the chicken to an even thickness of about 1/2 inch. Season the chicken with salt and black pepper.
3. Set up a breading station with three shallow bowls. In one bowl, place the all-purpose flour. In another bowl, beat the eggs. In the third bowl, combine the breadcrumbs and grated Parmesan cheese.
4. Dredge each chicken breast in the flour, shaking off the excess. Dip it in the beaten eggs, allowing any excess to drip off. Coat the chicken in the breadcrumb and Parmesan mixture, pressing the crumbs onto the chicken to adhere.
5. Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Fry the breaded chicken breasts for about 3-4 minutes on each side, or until they are golden brown and cooked through. Place the cooked chicken on a paper towel-lined plate to remove excess oil.
**Assembling the Chicken Parmesan:**
1. In a baking dish, spread a thin layer of marinara sauce.
2. Arrange the fried chicken breasts on top of the sauce.
3. Spoon additional marinara sauce over each chicken breast, and then sprinkle with shredded mozzarella cheese and grated Parmesan cheese.
4. Bake in the preheated oven for about 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the chicken is heated through.
5. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley, if desired.
6. Serve your Chicken Parmesan with cooked spaghetti or your favorite pasta, along with extra marinara sauce on the side.
Chicken Parmesan is a popular and satisfying Italian-American dish that's sure to be a crowd-pleaser. Enjoy!