Chicken Parmesan

 Ingredients:

For the Chicken:

  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 cup Italian-style breadcrumbs
  • 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • Vegetable oil, for frying

For Assembling:

  • 2 cups marinara sauce (store-bought or homemade)
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped (optional)
  • Cooked spaghetti or pasta of your choice, for serving (optional)

Instructions:

For the Chicken:

  1. Prepare the Chicken:

    • Place the chicken breasts between two sheets of plastic wrap or parchment paper.
    • Use a meat mallet or the bottom of a heavy skillet to gently pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness of about 1/2 inch.
    • Season the chicken breasts with salt and black pepper.

  2. Breading the Chicken:

    • Set up a breading station with three shallow bowls. In the first bowl, place the flour. In the second bowl, beat the eggs. In the third bowl, combine the breadcrumbs and grated Parmesan cheese.
    • Dredge each chicken breast in the flour, shaking off any excess.
    • Dip it into the beaten eggs, allowing any excess to drip off.
    • Coat it evenly with the breadcrumb mixture, pressing the breadcrumbs onto the chicken to adhere.

  3. Frying the Chicken:

    • In a large skillet, heat about 1/4 inch of vegetable oil over medium-high heat.
    • When the oil is hot (about 350°F or 175°C), carefully add the breaded chicken breasts.
    • Fry for about 4-5 minutes per side, or until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C).
    • Remove the chicken from the skillet and place it on a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess oil.

For Assembling:

  1. Preheat the Oven:

    • Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

  2. Layer with Marinara and Cheese:

    • In a baking dish, spread a thin layer of marinara sauce.
    • Arrange the fried chicken breasts on top of the sauce.
    • Spoon more marinara sauce over each chicken breast.
    • Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top.

  3. Bake:

    • Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for about 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the chicken is heated through.

  4. Garnish and Serve:

    • If desired, garnish with chopped fresh basil.
    • Serve your Chicken Parmesan over cooked spaghetti or your favorite pasta.

Enjoy your homemade Chicken Parmesan, a comforting and flavorful Italian-inspired dish that's perfect for a satisfying family dinner.

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