If there’s one dish that brings back memories of family dinners growing up, it’s Chicken Parmesan. This classic Italian dish is comfort food at its finest. Tender chicken breasts, coated in tangy Italian dressing and crispy breadcrumbs, baked to perfection and topped with a layer of melted mozzarella cheese – it’s a symphony of flavors and textures that is simply irresistible. Not only is this dish incredibly delicious, but it’s also incredibly easy to make. With just a few simple ingredients and about 30 minutes of your time, you can create a meal that’s worthy of a five-star Italian restaurant. I love this recipe because it’s so versatile. It’s perfect for a cozy family dinner, a romantic date night, or even a dinner party with friends. Plus, it’s a great way to get kids involved in the kitchen – they’ll love helping with the breading and baking process. So, tie on your apron, preheat your oven, and get ready to cook up some Italian goodness with this easy and delightful Chicken Parmesan recipe.
Ingredients
- 4 boneless chicken breasts
- Italian dressing
- Progresso bread crumbs
- 1 jar spaghetti sauce
- 1 whole small peeled onion
- 1 peeled clove garlic
- spaghetti noodles
- Mozzarella cheese
Baking Instructions
- Dip chicken in Italian dressing, then bread crumbs.
- Bake at 350° for 30 minutes.
- Add a layer of Mozzarella cheese the last few minutes (3 to 5) of cooking.
- Cook jar of spaghetti sauce over low heat.
- Add onion and garlic clove.
- Remove when finished cooking.
- Cook spaghetti noodles.
- Prepare plate.
Calorie: 600
Total cooking time: 45 minutes
Difficulty level: Easy
The Great Parmesan Heist
Well, butter my biscuits and call me Julia Child. It’s time to dive into the culinary masterpiece that is Chicken Parmesan. The stage is set with our unsuspecting cast of characters: four innocent boneless chicken breasts, a bottle of Italian dressing that swears it spent a semester abroad in Rome, some Progresso bread crumbs (still bragging about their five-star review in Bread Crumbs Monthly), a jar of spaghetti sauce with dreams of a Hollywood career, a small peeled onion, a peeled clove of garlic, a tangle of spaghetti noodles, and the diva of all cheeses, Mozzarella.
Coating the Innocents
The first step was to lure the chicken breasts into a bath of Italian dressing. Like a day at the spa, they lounged in the zesty marinade, blissfully unaware of their impending breadcrumb exfoliation. Once thoroughly soaked, I moved them onto their next appointment – a full body breadcrumb scrub. The Progresso bread crumbs clung to the chicken like bees to honey, creating a crunchy coat that would make a suit of armor blush.
The Heat Is On
Next, it was into the sauna, otherwise known as my temperamental oven, set at a toasty 350°. The chicken sizzled and seared, their breadcrumb suits turning a beautiful golden brown. The last few minutes of their spa day, I surprised them with a cascade of Mozzarella cheese, because who doesn’t love a cheesy surprise?
Sauce of the Matter
While the chicken was living the high life, I turned my attention to the spaghetti sauce. It was eager to prove itself, so I gave it a chance to shine over a low flame. I tossed in the onion and the clove of garlic, and they all got along like a house on fire (not literally, thank goodness). The aroma was so intoxicating that I half expected my neighbors to come knocking, plates in hand.
Noodles and Doodles
With the sauce simmering away, it was noodle time. The spaghetti noodles wiggled into the boiling water, enjoying the hot tub vibes. As they cooked to al dente perfection, I found myself tangled in a deep philosophical debate: to break or not to break the spaghetti before cooking. A question for the ages, I suppose.
The Final Assembly
Assembly time! I arranged the noodles, added the chicken, and smothered everything in the aromatic sauce. The final plate was a sight to behold, the culmination of a gastronomic comedy of errors. It was like watching the final scene of a sitcom, where everything falls into place, and everyone realizes they were in the right place at the right time all along.
The Last Supper
And there you have it, folks! The grand finale, the pièce de résistance, the Chicken Parmesan! It might have been a roller coaster ride with a few wrong turns, but the end result was a symphony of flavors that would make even the most seasoned chef shed a tear of joy. The moral of the story? Trust the process, enjoy the ride, and always… I mean, always, have an extra jar of spaghetti sauce on hand. You never know when it might decide to follow its dreams and move to Hollywood. Now, if you’ll excuse me, it’s time to eat. Bon appétit, my friends!
