Recipe Instructions:
Ingredients:
For the chicken:
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Salt and pepper, to taste
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 large eggs
1 cup breadcrumbs (preferably Italian-style)
Olive oil, for frying
For assembling:
1 1/2 cups marinara sauce (store-bought or homemade)
1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Fresh basil leaves, for garnish
Cooked spaghetti or pasta of your choice, for serving
Instructions:
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Start by preparing the chicken breasts. Place each chicken breast between two sheets of plastic wrap or parchment paper. Using a meat mallet or rolling pin, gently pound the chicken to an even thickness, about 1/2 inch. Season both sides with salt and pepper.
Prepare a breading station. Place the flour in one shallow dish, whisk the eggs in another dish, and put the breadcrumbs in a third dish.
Dredge each chicken breast in the flour, shaking off any excess. Dip it into the beaten eggs, allowing any excess to drip off, and then coat it in breadcrumbs, pressing the breadcrumbs onto the chicken to adhere.
Heat a generous amount of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add the breaded chicken breasts and cook until they are golden brown and cooked through, about 4-5 minutes per side. Place the cooked chicken on a plate lined with paper towels to absorb any excess oil.
In a baking dish, spread a thin layer of marinara sauce on the bottom.
Place the cooked chicken breasts on top of the sauce.
Spoon some marinara sauce over the chicken.
Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese and grated Parmesan cheese over the chicken.
Bake in the preheated oven for about 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
While the chicken is baking, cook your spaghetti or pasta according to the package instructions.
Once out of the oven, let the Chicken Parmesan rest for a few minutes before serving.
Garnish with fresh basil leaves just before serving.
Serve the Chicken Parmesan with cooked pasta on the side, and additional marinara sauce if desired.
This classic Italian dish is a crowd-pleaser and pairs wonderfully with a side salad and garlic bread. Enjoy!