Chicken Parmesan

This is a recipe we found in our "Best Recipes" cookbook and have been using now for a number of years.




Simple Tomato Sauce with Basil and Garlic

2 medium garlic cloves, peeled and minced
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 can (28 ounces)crushed tomatoes, preferably Red Pack, Progresso or Muir Glen
1/2 tsp dried basil
1/4 tsp dried oregano
1/4 tsp sugar
salt and pepper

Chicken Parmesan

4 chicken breasts
2 large eggs
1 cup dry bread crumbs (Panko, Japanese bread crumbs, make an excellent coating
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup grated mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
8 ounces spaghetti or linguine

1. For the sauce: In a large saucepan, heat garlic and oil together over medium heat until garlic starts to sizzle. Stir in tomatoes, basil, oregano, sugar, a pinch of salt and pepper, bring to a simmer. Continue to simmer until sauce thickens a bit and flavors meld, 10-12 minutes. Taste sauce, adjust salt if necessary. Cover and keep warm.

2. Chicken: Place chicken smooth side down on large sheet of plastic wrap. Cover with second sheet of plastic wrap and pound gently to 1/4 inch thickness.

3. Bring 2-3 quarts of water to a boil in a large kettle. Beat eggs in a small shallow dish. Mix bread crumbs with salt and pepper.

4. Preheat broiler. Working with one at a time, dip both sides of chicken in the beaten egg then in the bread crumb mixture. Set chicken on large wire rack over a jelly roll pan.

5. Add spaghetti to boiling water.

6. While pasta is cooking, heat oil over medium heat in 12-inch skillet. When oil starts to simmer, add cutlets and saute until golden brown on each side, about 5-6 minutes total. Transfer cooked chicken breast to wire rack and top with equal portions of mozzarella and parmensan cheeses. Place pan of chicken 4-5 inches from heat source and broil until cheese melts and is spotty brown, about 3 minutes. Drain spaghetti.

7. Transfer one chicken breast and a portion of spaghetti to each of four plates. Spoon sauce over part of each breast then sauce the spaghetti as desired.