There are many methods to make Parmesan Chicken but the goal is to not let the crispy fried chicken get soggy. To achieve that goal, put the marinara sauce and cheese on top of the chicken when it is ready to be served. This recipe uses jarred marinara sauce heated in the microwave. Place hot marinara sauce in a skillet and sprinkle with cheese. Broil for 4-5 minutes then slide the sauce and cheese on top of the crispy chicken and noodles. Serve immediately. The chicken will be crispy, the sauce hot, and the cheese melted! Enjoy, friends.
Chicken Parmesan
4 skinless chicken breast halves
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
2 large eggs, beaten
1 cup Italian-style Panko
1/4 cup grated Parmesan Romano cheese
1/2 to 3/4 pound spaghetti noodles
1/4 cup to 1/2 cup olive oil
1 to 2 jars marinara sauce
8 ounces shredded Italian style cheese (a mixture Mozzarella, Provolone, Asiago, Romano and Fontina cheese)
Garnish: Chopped parsley or basil
Move top oven rack 1/3 of the way from the top of oven. Preheat oven to 200ºF. Place chicken breast halves in-between 2 sheets of wax paper, parchment paper, or plastic wrap. Pound chicken breast halves to 1/2-inch thick. (I use a rolling pin.) Liberally salt and pepper chicken cutlets
Spread flour on a plate. Beat eggs in a bowl. Stir panko and Parmesan Romano cheese together on a plate or shallow bowl. Set up a dredging station. Dredge both sides of chicken in flour. Dip chicken in beaten eggs, then dredge both sides of chicken with Panko mixture. Set each breaded piece of chicken on a plate and let rest 10 to 15 minutes to help the breading stick.
Bring salted water to a boil for spaghetti noodles. Cook noodles according to package directions.
While noodles are cooking fry chicken. Pour 1/4 cup olive oil in a large skillet. Heat oil over medium heat until hot. Cook chicken in batches adding more oil if necessary. Cook chicken for 2-3 minutes on each side until golden brown and internal temperature is 160ºF. Fit a sheet pan with a rack and place cooked chicken on the rack in the preheated oven to keep warm and crisp.
While chicken is frying, heat marinara sauce in the microwave until hot. You will need 3/4 cup marinara sauce per cutlet and extra sauce for the table. Turn oven to broil. Move sheet pan with chicken cutlets to a lower rack. Spoon 3/4 cup marinara into an 8-inch skillet. Sprinkle center of marinara sauce with 2 ounces (1/4 bag) cheese leaving a 1/2-inch border free of cheese. Place skillet under broiler and broil 4-5 minutes. You want the cheese to melt but not brown. Place spaghetti on a plate. Top noodles with 1 piece of fried chicken. Remove skillet from oven and slide marinara and cheese on top of chicken. Wipe skillet clean and repeat with remaining chicken, sauce, and cheese. (I use two skillets at the same time.) Serve Parmesan Chicken with extra sauce on the side. Garnish with chopped parsley or basil. Makes 4 servings.
Published in The News and Neighbor on March 15, 2023.
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