You’ll want to eat chicken like this every week. This recipe is not only delicious but also easy to prepare, making it perfect for any day of the week. Let’s dive into the details of this mouthwatering dish.
Ingredients:
- 2 chicken breasts
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup bread crumbs
- 150 grams of grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- 1 teaspoon of paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper
- Olive oil
- Tomato sauce (to taste)
- Mozzarella cheese (to taste)
- Fresh parsley (to taste)
Instructions:
Step 1: Prepare the Chicken
- Cut the Chicken: Start by cutting the chicken breasts into fillets. This will help them cook more evenly and quickly.
- Tenderize the Chicken: Place the chicken fillets between two sheets of plastic wrap and use a meat hammer to pound them until they are tender. This step ensures that the chicken will be juicy and tender.
Step 2: Prepare the Egg Mixture
- Beat the Eggs: In a shallow container, crack the eggs and beat them well with a fork. This will serve as the binding agent for the bread crumbs and Parmesan mixture.
Step 3: Prepare the Bread Crumb Mixture
- Mix the Dry Ingredients: In another container, combine the bread crumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, salt, paprika, and black pepper. Stir the mixture until all the ingredients are well combined.
Step 4: Bread the Chicken
- Coat the Chicken: Dip each chicken fillet into the beaten eggs, ensuring it is fully coated. Then, dredge the chicken in the bread crumb mixture, pressing down gently to make sure the coating sticks.
Step 5: Bake the Chicken
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 360 degrees Fahrenheit (180 degrees Celsius).
- Prepare the Baking Dish: Drizzle a little olive oil into a baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Bake the Chicken: Place the breaded chicken fillets into the baking dish. Bake for 45 minutes until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through.
Step 6: Add Toppings
- Add Tomato Sauce: After 45 minutes, remove the chicken from the oven. Spoon tomato sauce over each piece of chicken, spreading it evenly.
- Add Mozzarella Cheese: Generously sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese over the tomato sauce. You can add as much or as little as you like, but I recommend a lot because I love cheese!
- Add Parsley: Sprinkle fresh parsley over the top for a burst of flavor and color.
Step 7: Final Bake
- Bake Again: Return the baking dish to the oven and bake for an additional 15 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Step 8: Serve and Enjoy
- Serve: Remove the chicken from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. Then, serve and enjoy this delicious dish.
Tips and Variations:
- Spices: Feel free to experiment with different spices in the bread crumb mixture. Italian seasoning, garlic powder, or crushed red pepper flakes can add a new dimension of flavor.
- Sauce: You can use marinara sauce instead of plain tomato sauce for a richer flavor.
- Cheese: Try using different types of cheese like provolone or cheddar for a different twist.
- Garnish: Add fresh basil or oregano as a garnish for added freshness.
Why This Recipe Works:
- Tenderizing the Chicken: Pounding the chicken ensures that it cooks evenly and remains tender and juicy.
- Double Baking: Baking the chicken first and then adding the sauce and cheese allows the coating to become crispy and the cheese to melt perfectly.
- Flavorful Coating: The combination of Parmesan cheese, bread crumbs, and spices creates a delicious, crispy coating that’s hard to resist.
Final Thoughts:
This baked Parmesan chicken recipe is a winner every time. It’s perfect for family dinners, special occasions, or just a simple weeknight meal. The combination of tender chicken, flavorful breading, tangy tomato sauce, and gooey melted cheese is absolutely irresistible.
Once you’ve made this dish, come back and let me know how it turned out. I’m confident that you and your family will love it just as much as mine does. Thank you for watching and trying out this recipe. I look forward to seeing you in the next video. Bye!
