Delicious Chicken Parmesan Recipe

Looking for a mouthwatering dish that can be enjoyed by all family members? If you're on the hunt for a classic Italian-American comfort food, look no further than Chicken Parmesan! This beloved recipe is a perfect combination of tender breaded chicken and tangy tomato sauce. Let's dive into this easy-to-follow guide to make delicious Chicken Parmesan at home.

Preparation Time: 30 minutes

Cooking Time: 45 minutes

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 4 chicken breasts, cut into thin strips (about 1 inch wide)
• 1 cup Italian breadcrumbs
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 3 large eggs, beaten
• 1 cup olive oil or cooking spray for the pan (optional)
• 1 jar of your favorite marinara sauce (or homemade)
• 4 slices of mozzarella cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

To start, prepare your ingredients. Lay out the chicken strips, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, flour, beaten eggs, and marinara sauce. For a healthier option, you can use olive oil spray instead of actual oil in the pan.

1. Cut each chicken breast into thin strips. The thinner they are, the easier it will be to bread and cook without overcooking.
2. In four separate shallow bowls or plates, combine your ingredients for the breading station: Italian breadcrumbs mixed with Parmesan cheese in one bowl, flour alone in another, beaten eggs in a third, and olive oil spray (or actual oil) on a fourth plate. This will create a line of stations you can use to bread each piece of chicken.
3. Bread your chicken carefully by first coating it lightly in the flour. Shake off any excess. Then dip into the egg mixture for a light coating. Finally, press gently into the breadcrumb mixture until fully coated on all sides.
4. Heat some olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat or use non-stick spray if you prefer not to use extra fat. Place the breaded chicken pieces into the hot pan and cook for about 3-4 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through. Be careful not to overcrowd your pan as this can cause the chicken to steam rather than brown properly.
5. Once the chicken has been cooked on both sides, remove it from the skillet and set aside. Drain any excess oil if needed.
6. In a separate pan or the same one if you're using non-stick spray, heat up your marinara sauce according to package instructions or until warmed through.
7. Place two slices of mozzarella cheese on top of each chicken breast, then cover with the warm marinara sauce. Put them back into the oven for about 10 minutes at 375°F (190°C).
8. Remove from the oven and let it sit for a couple of minutes to allow the cheese to melt completely before serving.

Tips & Variations

To enhance the flavor, you can add some herbs like basil or oregano directly into your breadcrumb mixture. You could also substitute the marinara sauce with alfredo for a different twist if desired.

• For extra cheesy goodness, you may want to add another layer of cheese on top after adding the sauce.
• If you have leftovers, they can be stored in an airtight container and kept refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for later use. To reheat, simply place them back into the oven at 350°F (175°C) until heated through.

Nutritional Information

The exact nutritional information can vary depending on specific ingredients used and portion sizes chosen. However, as a general estimate, each serving might contain approximately:

• Calories: 450 kcal
• Fat: 31g
• Saturated Fat: 6g
• Cholesterol: 92mg
• Sodium: 780mg
• Total Carbohydrates: 27g
• Dietary Fiber: 4g
• Sugars: 13g
• Protein: 35g

This classic dish is not only simple to prepare but also incredibly versatile. With minimal effort, you can create a delicious and satisfying meal that everyone will love. Whether you're serving it for dinner or as part of your Sunday lunch menu, Chicken Parmesan always brings joy and warmth to any table.