Simple yet Delicious Chicken Parmesan

Chicken Parmesan is a classic Italian-American dish that combines juicy chicken cutlets with tangy tomato sauce and melted mozzarella cheese over spaghetti. This comforting meal is perfect for family dinners, casual weeknight suppers, or even special occasions. The recipe here provides detailed steps to prepare this popular dish in less than an hour.

Ingredients:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon salt, divided
• 2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper, divided
• 3 large eggs
• 2 cups breadcrumbs
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 cans (14.5 oz each) of crushed tomatoes with garlic and basil
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 2 cups spaghetti, cooked al dente

Instructions:

Step 1: Prepare the chicken. Begin by pounding your chicken breasts slightly to make them thinner. This helps in ensuring that they cook evenly and quickly. Season both sides of the pounded chicken with half a tablespoon each of salt and pepper.

Step 2: Coat the chicken. In a shallow dish, combine flour and remaining salt (half a teaspoon). In another dish, beat eggs until well blended. Mix breadcrumbs in yet another dish along with the remaining pepper (one and a half teaspoons).

Step 3: Assemble the coated chicken pieces. One by one, coat each piece of chicken first in flour, then dip it into beaten eggs, and finally cover with breadcrumbs. Gently press so that the coating adheres well to the chicken. Place the breaded chicken on a plate as you prepare the next pieces. You should have 4 coated pieces.

Step 4: Fry the chicken. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat until it is almost smoking. Working in batches, fry the chicken pieces for about three to four minutes per side or until golden brown and cooked through. Remove from pan and place on paper towels to absorb excess fat.

Step 5: Make the sauce. Pour crushed tomatoes into the same skillet used for frying. Bring it to a simmer, then reduce heat to low. Let the sauce gently bubble while you work with the chicken.

Step 6: Assemble and bake the dish. Spoon about half of the tomato sauce over each serving of cooked spaghetti. Top with fried chicken pieces and sprinkle mozzarella cheese evenly across. Cover loosely with aluminum foil and place in preheated oven at 375°F for fifteen minutes to melt the cheese into the pasta.

Cooking time: Preparation takes about 20 minutes, while cooking requires approximately 1 hour including baking time.

Servings: This recipe serves four people.

Tips for Success:

• Ensure that the chicken pieces are pounded to an even thickness. This guarantees even cooking without overcooking or undercooking any part of it.
• Making sure that the breadcrumbs adhere well gives your Chicken Parmesan a lovely golden color and crisp texture.
• Let the sauce simmer gently for at least 20 minutes to develop full flavor.

Variations:

For those who want to make this dish more interesting, consider adding some fresh basil or spinach during the last few minutes of cooking. Alternatively, you could add a bit of Parmesan cheese on top for an extra burst of flavor.

Conclusion: Chicken Parmesan is a simple yet delightful Italian-American recipe that can be made at home with minimal effort and time. Perfectly coated chicken cutlets, rich tomato sauce, and gooey melted mozzarella atop spaghetti make this dish a favorite among many. With its ability to satisfy even the pickiest eaters, you won’t go wrong serving this meal during family gatherings or intimate dinners.