Speedy Baked Chicken Parmesan
This recipe is perfect for busy weeknights, using simple, budget-friendly ingredients to create a quick and satisfying meal.
This recipe is perfect for busy weeknights, using simple, budget-friendly ingredients to create a quick and satisfying meal.
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic salt
- 4 chicken breasts
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese shredded
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese shredded
- 1 (1oz) packet good seasons italian dressing mix
- 1/2 cup seasoned breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup infant cereal (dry) any flavor
- 1/8 teaspoon pepper more or less to your tastes
- 1 (28oz) jar spaghetti sauce use your favorite or home made
- 1 pound pasta we like rotini
- Carbohydrate 120.326379909376 g
- Cholesterol 290.815557555913 mg
- Fat 33.3730474321009 g
- Fiber 7.07155821601226 g
- Protein 105.530004554367 g
- Saturated Fat 16.1034163432886 g
- Serving Size 1 1 Serving (689g)
- Sodium 3734.34888697459 mg
- Sugar 113.254821693363 g
- Trans Fat 3.00935499329002 g
- Calories 1231 calories
Step-by-step
- Preheat the oven to 400(F) degrees. Mix the first six ingredients together on a plate. Pound the chicken breasts thin between some wax paper or cling wrap. (this helps chicken cook quicker!)
- Pat the breasts in the seasoning mixture on the plate; coating evenly and transfer to a baking dish or cookie sheet. Bake for 20 minutes. Check for doneness and if necessary, flip and bake 10 min. more.
- Meanwhile, warm spaghetti sauce in a pot on the stove and also cook and drain noodles according to package directions just before the breasts are done.
- Place 1/2 the noodles on a plate, top with a scoop of sauce, then a breast, a little more sauce, and finish with a sprinkle of shredded cheese and more parmesan. Enjoy!
Pounding for Even Cooking
Swapping standard breadcrumbs for infant cereal in the coating mixture alters the crispness and moisture retention of the crust. Pounding chicken breasts between wax paper ensures uniform thickness. Uniform meat reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit simultaneously without drying out the thinner edges. Coat each piece firmly so the dry ingredients adhere during the twenty-minute bake.
Pairing and Plate Balance
Heavy tomato sauce and melted mozzarella require a sharp, acidic side dish to cut through the richness. Serve this dish alongside a simple arugula salad dressed with fresh lemon juice and olive oil. The bitterness of the greens balances the heavy carbohydrates from the rotini pasta. Ensure the pasta is cooked just until al dente so it holds up against the warm spaghetti sauce.
Storage and Reheating
Leftovers keep well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Reheat individual portions in a 350-degree oven for fifteen minutes to restore crispness to the breadcrumb coating. Avoid microwave heating, which makes the chicken rubbery and turns the melted cheese into a tough layer.
