I cook, You eat
Chicken parmesan or chicken parmigiana is a classic Italian meal that can please those yearning for simplicity and those with expensive taste. It is ideal for candle lit dinners if you want to impress your significant other or for family gatherings if you want to show your in-laws your hidden talent.
It is a cheese filled meal that depends largely on how you season your chicken. Some prefer the KFC style deep frying of the chicken breasts but not everyone is an admirer of the style because of the use of eggs in the coating process. An alternative is grilling or frying the chicken breasts, that way you would use less oil and avoid using flower, ensuring that you have a slightly guilt free meal.
Ingredients
3 skinless and boneless chicken breasts
A tablespoon of salt
A block of mozzarella cheese
A tablespoon of black pepper
Chicken spice (1 and a ½ teaspoons)
1 packet of powder parmesan cheese
Store bought Marinara sauce
1 garlic clove
2 tablespoons of olive oil
Cooking spray
The first step is to insert the chicken breasts into a plastic bag. Cut each chicken breast in half if they are too thick. Pound each chicken breast with a meat mallet or meat tenderizer to make them even and to ensure that they cook well and make an even surface for the marinara sauce. Pound the meat until all three pieces of chicken breasts are at the same level.
Keep the breasts in the plastic bag and begin the marinading process; add a tablespoon of salt, back pepper, chicken spice and the olive oil, mix it all in the plastic bag, this way you will be making your own marinade. Place the marinaded chicken in the fridge for about two hours in order for all the spices to mix well and to preserve the taste of the marinade.
In a pan add olive oil or regular cooking oil, fry the chicken breast on medium heat, fry each side of the breasts for three to four minutes, do not overcook the chicken because it will still go into the oven at a later stage.
The next step in to place your three fried or grilled chicken breasts on a baking tray, but remember to spray the tray with the cooking spray to prevent sticking. Add a tablespoon of marinara sauce on each chicken breast without covering the whole piece of chicken.
Using a metal grater, grate the block of mozzarella cheese and add sprinkle the grated chunks of the cheese on top of the sauce covered chicken breasts. After sprinkling the mozzarella cheese, the final act will be to sprinkle the powdered parmesan cheese on top of the mozzarella cheese. Pre heat the oven to the highest heat, add the sauce and cheese coated chicken breasts into the oven and bake for 8 to 10 minutes or until the cheese is completely melted. After baking do not let it cool because the cheese will dry, rather serve it while semi hot or warm. For decorative purposes sprinkle parsley on top of the chicken parmesan. The meal can be served with a side dish of Greek salad or pasta.