Valentina's Homemade Chicken Parmigiana 🍽️🍗

This classic Italian-American dish features tender chicken breasts, crispy breadcrumbs, and a luscious marinara topped with gooey melted cheese. It’s comfort food at its finest and perfect for a family dinner or a romantic evening! Pair it with a side of spaghetti or a fresh salad for a complete meal. 🌿🍝

Ingredients

For the Chicken

• 2 large chicken breasts, boneless and skinless
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup breadcrumbs (preferably Italian-style)
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• Olive oil, for frying

For the Sauce

• 2 cups marinara sauce (store-bought or homemade)
• 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for a kick)
• Fresh basil leaves, for garnish

For Topping

• 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

Preparations

1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).

2. Prepare Chicken: Slice each chicken breast in half horizontally to create thinner cutlets. Place them between sheets of plastic wrap and pound them gently with a meat mallet until about 1/2-inch thick. Season both sides with salt and pepper.

Breading and Frying

3. Breading Station: Set up a breading station:

   • Place flour in one shallow dish.
   • In a second dish, whisk the eggs.
   • In a third dish, mix together the breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, oregano, and a pinch of salt.

4. Coat the Chicken: Dredge each chicken cutlet in flour, shaking off excess. Dip into the egg, then coat thoroughly in the breadcrumb mixture.

5. Fry the Chicken: In a large skillet, heat about 1/4 inch of olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the breaded cutlets in batches, ensuring not to overcrowd the pan. Fry for about 3-4 minutes on each side, or until golden brown. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.

Assembling the Dish

6. Layer the Chicken: In a baking dish, spread half of the marinara sauce on the bottom. Place the fried chicken cutlets on top of the sauce. Generously spoon more marinara sauce over each cutlet.

7. Add Cheese: Sprinkle shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese evenly on top of the sauce-covered chicken.

8. Bake: Place the assembled dish in the preheated oven and bake for about 20 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.

Serve

9. Garnish and Enjoy: Remove from the oven and let it sit for a few minutes. Garnish with fresh basil leaves before serving. Pair with spaghetti, a green salad, or your favorite garlic bread! 🍞🍷

🌟 For a twist, try adding a layer of sautéed mushrooms or spinach under the cheese for added flavor and nutrients!

Variations

• Spicy: Add crushed red pepper to the breadcrumb mixture for a spicier kick! 🔥
• Stuffed Chicken: Place a slice of prosciutto and a spoonful of fresh mozzarella inside each chicken cutlet before breading for a heartier dish.
• Herbed Bread Crumb: Add fresh herbs like parsley or thyme to the breadcrumb mixture for an aromatic touch.
• Gluten-free: Substitute regular breadcrumbs with gluten-free breadcrumbs or almond flour for a gluten-free version of this classic dish.

Enjoy your delicious homemade Chicken Parmigiana! Buon Appetito! 🍽️❤️