Chicken Parm Recipe

★Ingredients

Salt and pepper, to taste

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

1 cup all-purpose flour

2 large eggs, beaten

1 cup breadcrumbs (preferably Italian-style)

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1/4 cup olive oil

1 cup marinara sauce

1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Fresh basil leaves, for garnish (optional)

For the Marinara Sauce (if making from scratch):

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 small onion, finely chopped

2 garlic cloves, minced

1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes

1 teaspoon dried oregano

Salt and pepper, to taste

1 teaspoon sugar (optional, to balance acidity)

Fresh basil leaves, chopped (optional)

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★Instructions

Make the Marinara Sauce (if making from scratch):

1. Heat the olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.
2. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
3. Stir in the crushed tomatoes, oregano, salt, and pepper. Simmer the sauce for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add sugar if needed to balance the acidity. Optionally, stir in chopped fresh basil leaves.
4. Remove from heat and set aside.

Prepare the Chicken:

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Place the chicken breasts between two sheets of plastic wrap and pound them to an even thickness, about 1/2 inch thick.
3. Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper on both sides.
4. Set up a breading station: Place the flour in a shallow dish, the beaten eggs in another shallow dish, and the breadcrumbs mixed with grated Parmesan cheese in a third shallow dish.
5. Dredge each chicken breast in the flour, shaking off any excess. Dip in the beaten eggs, allowing any excess to drip off, then coat thoroughly with the breadcrumb mixture.

Cooking the Chicken:

1. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the breaded chicken breasts. Cook until golden brown and crispy on both sides, about 3-4 minutes per side. You may need to do this in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan.
2. Transfer the browned chicken breasts to a baking dish.
3. Spoon the marinara sauce over each chicken breast, covering them evenly.
4. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese on top of the sauce-covered chicken.

Baking:

1. Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake until the cheese is melted and bubbly, about 20-25 minutes.
2. If desired, broil for the last 2-3 minutes to get a golden-brown crust on the cheese.

Serving:

1. Garnish with fresh basil leaves if desired.
2. Serve hot, often accompanied by pasta, a side salad, or garlic bread.

Enjoy!