Chicken Parmesan

Have you even had one of those days when dinner time is “rolling” around and even though maybe you have some meat thawed, you are just tired of doing the “same ol’ thing” with it? Well, that’s where I was when I came up with this Chicken Parmesan recipe.  Now, I’m not claiming to have “invented” Chicken Parmesan (that, I believe, was Al Gore…right after the internet) I just made up this particular recipe.  

Here’s how it came about:

As I usually do, right after breakfast I looked at the weekly menu to see what to get out for dinner.  It simply said “chicken”.  I remembered when I had been making the menu, I couldn’t seem to think of anything good so I figured I’d just put “chicken” and something would come to me later.  Well, it was “later” and nothing had come to me, so I got out the chicken anyway and went about my day, not really giving it any more thought.

Much later in the afternoon, when I went down stairs to begin preparing dinner, I realized again…nothing had “come to me”.  I looked through a few cookbooks, stared hopelessly into the pantry and gazed longingly into the refrigerator, waiting for an epiphany…or something. Dinner time grew closer and closer and still NOTHING, so now not only did I need something to do with chicken, but something quick and easy to do with chicken.  

I saw the bread crumbs staring back and me and thought, “Maybe I’ll just roll the chicken in those.”  Then it hit me…Chicken Parmesan!  If I pounded out the chicken, it would fry quickly and I had spaghetti sauce and noodles!  Great idea… only one problem…I’d never made it before and didn’t even have a recipe.  I’m sure there are literally hundreds of Chicken Parmesan recipes online but there was no time for that. My husband would soon be home from work and people here were HUNGRY!  I decided to “wing it”.  

Here’s the Recipe: 

• boneless skinless chicken breast – 3 large
• 1 cup Italian bread crumbs (see notes for substitution)
• 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder
• 1 egg
• 1 tablespoon water
• oil for frying

First, place chicken in a large plastic bag but DO NOT zip

Using a heavy object, with a smooth surface, pound chicken to about 1/4 -1/2 inch thickness

Remove from bag and cut into “serving” size pieces (this also helps them cook faster)

In a shallow bowl, mix egg and water and beat slightly

Combine all other ingredients on a plate or another shallow bowl

Generously cover the bottom of your skillet with oil, maybe 1/2 cup for a large skillet (not too much you don’t want to deep fry)

Heat oil on high heat

Dip each piece of chicken first in egg mixture then in bread crumb mixture

Place gently in hot oil, being careful not to splatter

Cook a minute or two until it browns then turn and brown the other side

Once both sides are slightly browned, reduce heat to medium to finish cooking

These should cook in 10-15 minutes, depending on how thickness

When done, drain on a paper towel

Just before serving, top chicken with Mozzarella, Provolone or Swiss cheese

Place under a hot broiler until cheese is melted and slightly “toasty”

Serve with a side of spaghetti and sauce

How’d this “made up” dinner go over with the family?

Let’s just say it’s a “regular” on the menu now!

Chicken Paresan

2014-01-13 00:51:35

Serves 4

Write a review

Save Recipe

Print

Prep Time

10 min

Cook Time

15 min

Total Time

30 min

Prep Time

10 min

Cook Time

15 min

Total Time

30 min

Ingredients

1. boneless skinless chicken breast - 3 large
2. 1 cup Italian bread crumbs (see notes for substitution)
3. 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
4. 1/4 tsp garlic powder
5. 1 egg
6. 1 tablespoon water
7. oil for frying

Instructions

1. First, place chicken in a large plastic bag but DO NOT zip
2. Using a heavy object, with a smooth surface, pound chicken to about 1/4 -1/2 inch thickness
3. Remove from bag and cut into "serving" size pieces (this also helps them cook faster)
4. When done, drain on a paper towel
5. Just before serving, top chicken with Mozzarella, Provolone or Swiss cheese
6. Place under a hot broiler until cheese is melted and slightly "toasty"

Notes

1. Italian Bread Crumb Substitute: 1 cup regular + 1 tsp Italian seasoning
2. Chicken can be browned in skillet then placed in 375 degree oven to finish cooking. When done, top with cheese and broil as directed above

By Danita @O Taste And See

O Taste and See https://otasteandseeblog.com/

This post linked at Get Him Fed, Weekend Block Party, Saturday Night Fever