Chicken Parmesan is a classic Italian-American dish that is a crowd favorite. It is a dish that consists of breaded chicken breasts that are coated in marinara sauce and melted mozzarella cheese. This dish is perfect for any occasion, whether it’s a casual family dinner or a fancy dinner party. In this blog post, we’ll delve into the history of Chicken Parmesan, the ingredients used, and how to prepare it.
History of Chicken Parmesan:
The history of Chicken Parmesan can be traced back to the late 19th century when Italian immigrants came to the United States. They brought with them their traditional recipes, which were adapted to the ingredients that were available in the new country. Chicken Parmesan is an adaptation of the classic Italian dish, Veal Parmesan. Veal Parmesan was a dish that was typically made with thinly sliced veal cutlets that were breaded, fried, and then topped with tomato sauce and Parmesan cheese. In the United States, veal was not as readily available as chicken, and hence, Chicken Parmesan was born.
Ingredients:
- 4 chicken breast fillets
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1 cup tomato-based marinara sauce
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Use a meat mallet to pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness.
- Set up a breading station with three shallow dishes: one for the flour, one for the beaten eggs, and one for the breadcrumbs mixed with Parmesan cheese, basil, oregano, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Coat each chicken breast in flour, shaking off any excess, then dip it into the beaten eggs, and coat it with the breadcrumb mixture.
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the chicken breasts until golden brown on both sides, about 2-3 minutes per side.
- Transfer the chicken to a baking dish and top each piece with marinara sauce and shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 10-15 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve the chicken parmesan with additional marinara sauce on the side.
