**Chicken Parmesan:** A Classic Italian-American Dish
Crispy, juicy chicken cutlets coated in a flavorful breading, topped with melted cheese and a rich tomato sauce, then baked until golden brown and bubbly. Chicken Parmesan is a classic Italian-American dish that is loved by people of all ages. It is a delicious and versatile dish that can be served with a variety of side dishes, such as pasta, mashed potatoes, or roasted vegetables. This article provides two recipes for Chicken Parmesan: one traditional and one with a few modern twists. Both recipes are easy to follow and result in a delicious and satisfying meal. The traditional recipe uses simple ingredients like chicken breasts, bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, and tomato sauce. The modern recipe adds a few extra ingredients, like sun-dried tomatoes, artichoke hearts, and spinach, for a more complex and flavorful dish. No matter which recipe you choose, you are sure to enjoy this classic Italian-American dish.
THE BEST CHICKEN PARMESAN
Chicken Parmesan should have, well, Parmesan. So we not only topped ours with it, we added it to the crust for even more flavor and texture. For the coating, we prefer to start with plain breadcrumbs and enhance them with our favorite flavors. And our very simple, classic Italian-American tomato sauce has a bright and tomato-y flavor that cuts through the richness of the chicken and pasta.
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Categories main-dish
Time 1h
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- Set a wire rack inside a rimmed baking sheet. Line another rimmed baking sheet with foil. Cut two 12-inch sheets of plastic wrap.
- Cut the chicken breasts in half lengthwise, making 4 roughly equal pieces; they should look like large chicken tenders. Place one sheet of plastic on a clean cutting board. Put one chicken piece in the center of the plastic and top with the other sheet of plastic. Pound the chicken with the flat side of a meat mallet, starting in the center and working your way to the edges, until the chicken is 1/4-inch thick. Transfer to the wire rack. Repeat with the remaining chicken, one piece at a time. Liberally sprinkle with salt and pepper.
- Put the flour in a pie plate and dredge the chicken 1 piece at a time, turning to coat and packing the flour into the crevices. Shake to remove any excess and return to the rack. Repeat with the remaining chicken.
- Whisk the breadcrumbs, 1/4 cup of the Parmesan, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper in a medium bowl until combined. Whisk the milk and egg in a medium bowl until combined. Dip the dredged chicken into the milk mixture, allowing any excess to drip off. Then pack the seasoned breadcrumbs firmly onto the chicken. Very gently
- shake off any excess and return to the rack. Refrigerate uncovered at least 30 minutes and up to 12 hours.
- Meanwhile, make the sauce. Heat 1/3 cup of the oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the garlic, oregano and red pepper flakes and cook until very fragrant but not brown, about 1 minute. Add the tomatoes, basil and 1 teaspoon salt. Bring to a boil and then reduce to a simmer and cook, uncovered, until the tomatoes are very tender and the liquid has reduced by half, about 30 minutes. Smash the tomatoes with a potato masher until almost smooth; it's ok if it's a little chunky. Season with salt.
- Heat the remaining 1/2 cup oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 2 cutlets and cook until the coating is golden brown, about 1 minute per side; the chicken will not be cooked through. Transfer to the foil-lined baking sheet in a single layer 3 inches apart. Repeat with the remaining cutlets.
- Arrange an oven rack directly under the broiler and preheat to high. Arrange the chicken in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet, spaced 3 inches apart. Top each cutlet with 2/3 cup of the sauce and spread evenly to coat. Sprinkle each cutlet with 1 tablespoon of the Parmesan and 1/2 cup mozzarella. Broil until the cheese melts and starts to brown in spots, 2 to 3 minutes.
- Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Cook the spaghetti, stirring occasionally, until al dente. Drain and transfer to the remaining sauce. Gently stir until the sauce coats the pasta. Transfer the spaghetti to a serving dish and top with the chicken. Sprinkle with more Parmesan and serve with torn basil.
ANOTHER CHICKEN PARMESAN - THE ONE I LIKE
This is from the 365 Ways To Cook Chicken cookbook. I've made the tomato sauce a few times, but I'm usually just lazy and buy a jar of marinara sauce. The option is yours. I also sometimes make the chicken without the addition of sauce and mozzarella - real easy and real tasty.
Provided by HEP MEP
Categories Chicken
Time 50m
Yield 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Combine bread crumbs and Parmesan cheese in a shallow dish.
- Place egg in another shallow dish.
- Dip chicken first in egg, then dredge in bread crumb mixture to coat.
- Preheat oven to 350*.
- In a large frying pan, heat oil over medium heat.
- Add coated chicken breasts.
- Cook, turning once, about 5 minutes a side,until lightly browned.
- Arrange chicken cutlets in a single layer on an ovenproof serving platter or baking dish.
- Pour tomato sauce over chicken.
- Top with mozzarella cheese.
- Bake 15 minutes, until cheese is melted and bubbly.
- TOMATO SAUCE: In a medium-size saucepan, heat oil over medium heat.
- Add onion and garlic.
- Cook until onion is soft,about 3 minutes.
- Add tomatoes.
- tomato paste, bay leaf, sugar, and oregano.
- Simmer until sauce reduces by half.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 503.6, Fat 25.8, SaturatedFat 7.8, Cholesterol 149.4, Sodium 832.5, Carbohydrate 25.1, Fiber 3, Sugar 6.8, Protein 42.1
Tips:
- Use a good quality chicken breast. This will ensure that your chicken parmesan is juicy and flavorful.
- Pound the chicken breasts thin. This will help them cook evenly and quickly.
- Season the chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. This will add flavor to the chicken.
- Dredge the chicken breasts in flour. This will help the breading adhere to the chicken.
- Dip the chicken breasts in beaten eggs. This will help the breading stick to the chicken.
- Coat the chicken breasts in breadcrumbs. This will give the chicken a crispy coating.
- Fry the chicken breasts in hot oil until golden brown. This will cook the chicken through and give it a crispy coating.
- Top the chicken breasts with marinara sauce and cheese. This will add flavor and richness to the chicken parmesan.
- Bake the chicken breasts in the oven until the cheese is melted and bubbly. This will finish cooking the chicken and melt the cheese.
- Serve the chicken parmesan with spaghetti or your favorite side dish.
Conclusion:
Chicken parmesan is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for any occasion. With a few simple tips, you can make chicken parmesan that is juicy, flavorful, and crispy. So next time you're looking for a delicious and satisfying meal, give chicken parmesan a try.
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