Chicken Parmesan - An Easy Company Feast
Try this Chicken Parmesan recipe, an easy company feast.
Try this Chicken Parmesan recipe, an easy company feast.
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1 cup mozzarella shredded
- 1 t salt
- 1 cup parmesan cheese
- 1 28 oz can crushed tomatoes
- 1/2 t pepper
- 1/2 cup ap flour
- 1 medium medium onion chopped
- 4 cloves garlic-crushed or minced
- 1 6 oz can tomato paste plus 6 oz water
- 1/8 crushed red pepper – optional
- 3 large skinless boneless chicken breast trimmed and cut i
- 1 1/2 t garlic powder
- 1 1/2 cup panko bread crumbs
- Carbohydrate 42.7774709755358 g
- Cholesterol 29.492000004672 mg
- Fat 9.42142380562327 g
- Fiber 3.74388235461092 g
- Protein 18.757961768951 g
- Saturated Fat 5.19003870683066 g
- Serving Size 1 1 serving (137g)
- Sodium 542.102756945146 mg
- Sugar 39.0335886209249 g
- Trans Fat 0.753153696231047 g
- Calories 329 calories
Step-by-step
- Chop one medium onion and over medium-high heat with 1 tsp of oil, cook until clearing (about 3 minutes).
- Add 4 cloves of crushed or minced garlic and cook one more minute.
- Add one large can crushed tomatoes (28 oz), one small can tomato paste (6 oz), 1 tsp basil, 1 tsp salt, and ½ tsp pepper. ⅛ tsp crushed red pepper (optional). Let simmer over low heat until needed.
- Preheat oven to 450 convection. Prep baking sheet with aluminum foil and a rack. Spray with PAM.
- Over medium heat with 2 tsp oil, brown 1 ½ cup panko bread crumbs until brown (about 2 minutes). Remove to cool.
- Prepare the chicken cutlets by patting dry three large skinless boneless chicken breasts. Trim and then cut into cutlets.
- In three shallow pans, prepare a dredge line. In pan one, place ½ cup AP flour with 1 ½ tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp salt, and ½ tsp pepper. Pan two: two eggs with 1 tbsp water – whipped together. And in pan three, the brown bread crumbs and 1 cup of shredded Parmesan cheese.
- Be sure the chicken is dry and then coat them through pans 1, 2, and 3, shaking well after pans 1 and 2.
- Place on prepared pan. When all are complete, add a little more of the bread/parmesan mixture on top of each piece.
- Cook until internal temp of 160°F (about 20 minutes depending on thickness of chicken).
- Remove from oven and top with about 2 tbsp of your sauce and mozzarella cheese.
- Place back in oven for about 5 minutes until browned.
- Serve with pasta and the remaining sauce.
Chicken Parmesan: A Weeknight Winner
As a busy working mom, time is my most precious commodity. Weeknights are a whirlwind of homework help, soccer practice, and the ever-present battle against bedtime procrastination. Dinner, therefore, needs to be quick, easy, and – let’s be honest – delicious enough to satisfy the whole family (including my notoriously picky eaters!). That’s why Chicken Parmesan has become a staple in our home. It's a crowd-pleaser that doesn't require hours in the kitchen, and the cleanup is surprisingly manageable. This recipe is my go-to for a satisfying and relatively healthy meal that everyone enjoys.
What I love most about this recipe is its adaptability. Feel free to experiment with different cheeses, herbs, or even add some vegetables to the sauce for extra nutrition. Sometimes, I'll sneak in some finely chopped spinach or mushrooms – my kids never notice! The beauty of this dish is its simplicity. It’s all about layering delicious flavors in an easy-to-execute manner. The crispy, golden-brown breading, the savory tomato sauce, and the melted mozzarella are a match made in culinary heaven. It’s comfort food at its finest, satisfying both my soul and the demands of my busy schedule.
The key to a truly exceptional Chicken Parmesan lies in the preparation. Making sure the chicken cutlets are properly seasoned and evenly breaded is crucial for achieving that perfect golden-brown crust. And don't skimp on the sauce! A rich, flavorful tomato sauce is the backbone of the dish. I've included my simple, yet effective, recipe below. You can certainly use store-bought sauce if time is short, but making it from scratch adds a depth of flavor that's well worth the effort. The preparation might seem like a number of steps, but trust me, once you get into the rhythm, the process becomes second nature.
Beyond the Dinner Table: Chicken Parmesan isn't just a weeknight hero; it's also a fantastic dish for entertaining. It’s incredibly versatile and can be easily scaled up to feed a crowd. I’ve served it at numerous gatherings, and it always disappears quickly. The combination of crispy chicken, tangy sauce, and melted cheese makes it a guaranteed hit. The beautiful thing about this dish is that it’s both impressive and relatively simple to make, allowing you to focus on enjoying your guests rather than being confined to the kitchen.
Tips for Success:
- Don't overcrowd the pan: When browning the chicken, make sure not to overcrowd the pan. This will ensure that the chicken cooks evenly and gets that lovely golden-brown crust.
- Use fresh herbs: If you have fresh basil on hand, definitely use it in the sauce. It adds a beautiful fresh flavor that elevates the dish.
- Let the sauce simmer: Allowing the sauce to simmer for a while will deepen the flavor and allow the tomatoes to break down.
- Don't overcook the chicken: Overcooked chicken is dry chicken! Make sure to cook the chicken to an internal temperature of 160°F, but don't overcook it.
So, the next time you're looking for a delicious and satisfying weeknight meal that won’t break the bank or your schedule, look no further than this amazing Chicken Parmesan. It’s a winner in my book, and I’m confident it’ll become a favorite in yours too. Enjoy!
