So I have a confession to make..
Up until two years ago I didn’t know how to cook. I could follow basic instructions, but every dish I tried would come out overcooked or dry. I didn’t understand seasoning, marinating, or temperature control. I was afraid of giving my family food poisoning, so I cooked everything until it was tough. My husband used to politely push the meat to the side of his plate. I can laugh about it now, but back then it wasn’t funny.
Want to know the first dish I made without overcooking? Chicken Parmesan. And guess what? We all loved it, even the kids. It was the first time my son called me a good cook. I was so excited that I made it nearly every week for a month. The best part is we still enjoy it regularly.
A few days ago, when I was out of dinner ideas, I knew this would be my go-to meal.
Here’s the recipe for Chicken Parmesan:
Ingredients:
– Boneless chicken breasts (halved lengthwise)
– 3/4 cup breadcrumbs
– 1 tsp Italian seasoning
– 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
– 1/2 tsp garlic powder
– Mozzarella cheese, sliced or shredded
– Marinara sauce
– 1–2 tbsp oil for frying
– Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Pat the chicken breasts dry and slice each breast in half horizontally so you have thinner cutlets that cook evenly.
2. In a shallow bowl combine the breadcrumbs, Italian seasoning, grated Parmesan, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. If you like, pulse the mix briefly in a food processor to create a finer crumb and better coating.
3. Lightly beat an egg in a separate bowl (or use two if coating many pieces). Dip each chicken piece in the egg, then press into the breadcrumb mixture so it’s evenly coated.
4. Heat the oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the coated chicken and cook just 1–2 minutes per side until the crust is golden. The goal is to brown the coating, not to cook through the chicken.
5. Transfer the seared cutlets to an oven-safe baking dish. Bake for 15–20 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C).
6. Remove the dish from the oven, spoon warm marinara sauce over each piece, then top with mozzarella. Return to the oven just long enough for the sauce to warm and the cheese to melt, about 5 minutes.
Serving suggestions:
We enjoy this with sautéed spinach and whole wheat bread. Another favorite pairing is steamed broccoli with whole wheat pasta. Both options make a balanced, family-friendly meal.
Thanks for stopping by!