TUSCAN FARMHOUSE CHICKEN CUTLETS WITH RED SAUCE

Steps:

• 1. SAUCE: Heat oil in a medium size sauce pan over a medium heat. Add onion, bell pepper and garlic; cook until tender
• 2. Add diced tomatoes with juice, tomato sauce and seasonings. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer 15 minutes covered. Uncover and contine to simmer another 15 minutes, stirring occassionally until thickened. Taste test, add add'l seasoning if desired.
• 3. PREPARING CHICKEN: Pound chicken to about 1/4 inch thickness. NOTE: If chicken breast are large, you can pound to 1/4 inch thickness and slice in 1/2 for 2 servings.
• 4. Set up 3 bowls for battering: 1st bowl combine flour and salt and pepper to taste. 2nd bowl beat eggs with 2 tablespoons milk. 3rd bowl panko bread crumbs, italian seasoning and a sprinkle of salt if desired.
• 5. In a large skillet heat about 2 tablespoons olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter over a med/high heat, closer to a med heat than a high heat. Add more as needed.
• 6. Rinse chicken and pat dry. Dredge in flour mixture 1st, then dip in egg mixture and last dredge in panko bread crumbs.
• 7. Fry until a nice golden brown on both sides. Add add'l olive oil and butter as needed. NOTE: You are not deep frying, just keep pan nicely coated.
• 8. Line an appropiate size pan with foil; place cutlets in pan. Spoon a small about of sauce over chicken (2 to 3 tablespoons). Top with a slice of mozzarella cheese (or 2 to 3 tablespoons of shredded). Place under broiler in oven until cheese melts (about 2 minutes). NOTE: I put rack on 3rd level from broiler.
• 9. Place pasta on plates, spoon some of the sauce over pasta, top with a chicken cutlet and spoon more sauce over chicken. Enjoy!