Chicken Parmesan

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: Approximately 50 minutes

Ingredients:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 cup (120g) all-purpose flour
• 2 large eggs, beaten
• 1 1/2 cups (150g) bread crumbs
• 1 cup (100g) grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 cup (60ml) olive oil
• 2 cups (500ml) marinara sauce
• 1 1/2 cups (150g) shredded mozzarella cheese
• Fresh basil leaves for garnish
• Cooked spaghetti or pasta of your choice (optional, for serving)

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Place the chicken breasts between two sheets of plastic wrap and gently pound them to an even thickness of about 1/2 inch.
3. In a shallow dish, combine the all-purpose flour with a pinch of salt and black pepper.
4. In another shallow dish, beat the eggs.
5. In a third shallow dish, mix the bread crumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, dried oregano, dried basil, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.
6. Dredge each chicken breast in the flour, shaking off any excess.
7. Dip the chicken in the beaten eggs, allowing any excess to drip off.
8. Coat the chicken with the bread crumb mixture, pressing the crumbs gently onto the chicken to adhere.
9. In a large oven-safe skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat.
10. Add the breaded chicken breasts to the skillet and cook for about 3-4 minutes per side, or until they are golden brown and crispy.
11. Remove the skillet from the heat and spoon the marinara sauce over each chicken breast.
12. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese over the top of the chicken.
13. Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for about 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
14. If desired, cook spaghetti or pasta according to package instructions and serve the Chicken Parmesan over the cooked pasta.
15. Garnish with fresh basil leaves, and serve hot.
16. Enjoy your delicious and cheesy Chicken Parmesan!

History:

Chicken Parmesan, also known as Chicken Parmigiana, is a popular Italian-American dish that has its roots in Southern Italian cuisine.

The dish is believed to have originated in the Naples region of Italy, where Eggplant Parmigiana (Parmesan) was the original version. When Italian immigrants settled in the United States, they adapted the traditional recipe using chicken or veal instead of eggplant due to the availability of ingredients.

Chicken Parmesan quickly gained popularity in Italian-American communities and eventually became a staple in Italian-American restaurants across the country.

Today, Chicken Parmesan is a beloved comfort food enjoyed by people of all backgrounds.

Interesting Facts:

- In Italy, Chicken Parmesan is often served without pasta, but it has become a common combination in the United States.

- The dish is called "Parmigiana" in Italy, referring to the layers of cheese, sauce, and breaded ingredients.

- Variations of the dish can include adding ham or prosciutto between the chicken and cheese layers.

- Chicken Parmesan is a popular choice for making sandwiches, where the chicken is placed between bread or a roll with additional sauce and cheese.

Note: Feel free to use store-bought marinara sauce or make your own from scratch for this recipe.