Classic Chicken Parmigiana Recipes

CLASSIC CHICKEN PARMIGIANA

Steps:

• Cut each chicken breast in half lengthways so you have four fillets. Put the fillets on a board, cover with a sheet of baking parchment and bash with a rolling pin until they are the same thickness all over.
• Put the flour in a shallow dish and season with a little salt. Tip the egg into another dish, then the breadcrumbs and parmesan into a third dish, stirring to combine. Working with one chicken fillet at a time, coat in the flour, then dip into the beaten egg, and finally coat in the cheesy breadcrumb mixture. Transfer the breadcrumbed fillets to a plate as you go. To freeze, stack the fillets in a freezerproof container between sheets of baking parchment. Will keep frozen for three months.
• To make the sauce, heat the olive oil in a shallow pan and sizzle the garlic for 2 mins. Sprinkle in the sugar and add a splash of the vinegar, then tip in the tomatoes or passata. Add the oregano, season and bubble for 10-15 mins, stirring occasionally until thickened. To freeze, leave to cool completely, then transfer to a freezerproof container (portion it into more than one, if you like). Will keep frozen for up to three months. Defrost overnight in the fridge, then reheat in a pan until piping hot.
• Heat the sunflower oil in a large frying pan over a medium heat and cook the breadcrumbed chicken fillets for 3 mins on each side (fresh or from frozen) until golden and crisp. Arrange on a baking tray. Spoon a little of the sauce over the middle of each fillet, and top each with a slice of mozzarella. Heat the grill to high. Cook the spaghetti following pack instructions, then drain and toss with the remaining sauce. Grill the fillets for 3-4 mins, or 1-2 mins more if they're from the freezer, until the mozzarella is melted and bubbling, then serve.

CLASSIC CHICKEN PARMESAN

Steps:

• Slice the chicken breasts in half horizontally to make 4 thin cutlets. Put between 2 pieces of plastic wrap and pound with a meat mallet or heavy skillet until 1/4 inch thick. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a medium pot over medium heat. Add the garlic and red pepper flakes and cook, stirring, until the garlic softens, about 1 minute. Add the tomato puree, then rinse out the can with 1 cup water and add to the pot. Simmer until the sauce just thickens, about 10 minutes. Whisk in 1/4 cup parmesan and the basil. Spread 1/2 cup of the sauce in a 3-quart flameproof baking dish. Preheat the broiler. Meanwhile, combine the flour and 1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper in a shallow dish. Beat the eggs with 1/4 cup parmesan in another shallow dish. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Dredge 2 chicken cutlets in the flour, tapping off the excess, then dip in the egg mixture. Carefully lay in the skillet and fry until golden brown and just cooked through, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Transfer to the baking dish. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil to the skillet and repeat with the remaining 2 chicken cutlets. Add to the baking dish. Combine the mozzarella and the remaining 2 tablespoons parmesan in a bowl. Sprinkle half of the cheese mixture on the chicken, then top with the remaining sauce and the remaining cheese mixture. Broil until the cheese melts, about 2 minutes.

CHICKEN PARMESAN

Steps:

• Preheat an oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C).
• Place chicken breasts between two sheets of heavy plastic (resealable freezer bags work well) on a solid, level surface. Firmly pound chicken with the smooth side of a meat mallet to a thickness of 1/2-inch. Season chicken thoroughly with salt and pepper.
• Beat eggs in a shallow bowl and set aside.
• Mix bread crumbs and 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese in a separate bowl, set aside.
• Place flour in a sifter or strainer; sprinkle over chicken breasts, evenly coating both sides.
• Dip flour coated chicken breast in beaten eggs. Transfer breast to breadcrumb mixture, pressing the crumbs into both sides. Repeat for each breast. Set aside breaded chicken breasts for about 15 minutes.
• Heat 1 cup olive oil in a large skillet on medium-high heat until it begins to shimmer. Cook chicken until golden, about 2 minutes on each side. The chicken will finish cooking in the oven.
• Place chicken in a baking dish and top each breast with about 1/3 cup of tomato sauce. Layer each chicken breast with equal amounts of mozzarella cheese, fresh basil, and provolone cheese. Sprinkle 1 to 2 tablespoons of Parmesan cheese on top and drizzle with 1 tablespoon olive oil.
• Bake in the preheated oven until cheese is browned and bubbly, and chicken breasts are no longer pink in the center, 15 to 20 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).

CHICKEN PARMIGIANA

Steps:

• Halve 2 large skinless chicken breasts through the middle then place the 4 pieces between cling film sheets and bash out with a rolling pin until they are the thickness of a £1 coin.
• Dip in 2 beaten eggs, then 75g breadcrumbs, mixed with half of the 75g grated parmesan. Set aside on a plate in the fridge while you make the sauce.
• Heat 1 tbsp olive oil and cook 2 crushed garlic cloves for 1 min, then tip in half a 690ml jar passata, 1 tsp caster sugar and 1 tsp dried oregano. Season and simmer for 5-10 mins.
• Heat grill to High and cook the chicken for 5 mins each side, then remove.
• Pour the tomato sauce into a shallow ovenproof dish and top with the chicken.
• Scatter over torn pieces of half a 125g ball light mozzarella, and the remaining grated parmesan and grill for 3-4 mins until the cheese has melted and the sauce is bubbling.
• Serve with vegetables or salad and some pasta or potatoes, if you like.