Chicken Parmesan with Homemade Tomato Basil Sauce

Chicken Parmesan is a great recipe for practicing the coating and breading technique. The chicken is dipped in beaten egg and then pressed into a Parmesan breadcrumb mixture before baking. This creates a flavorful coating that helps keep the chicken tender inside.

Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
Yield: 6-8 servings

Ingredients

For the Chicken

• 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup bread crumbs
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1-2 tablespoons olive oil
• 8 ounces fresh mozzarella, sliced or shredded

For the Tomato Basil Sauce

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3-4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cans (14 ounces each) whole tomatoes
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil

For Serving

• 1 pound angel hair pasta or other pasta
• Extra grated Parmesan cheese, optional
• Fresh basil, optional

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 400F. Lightly coat a baking dish or baking sheet with olive oil or cooking spray.
2. Cut the chicken breasts into thin cutlets or wide strips of similar thickness. Season both sides with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
3. Set out two shallow dishes or pie plates. Crack the eggs into the first dish and beat them with a fork. In the second dish, stir together the bread crumbs and Parmesan cheese.
4. Practice the coating technique: Dip one piece of chicken into the beaten egg, allowing the excess egg to drip back into the dish.
5. Practice the breading technique: Transfer the chicken to the breadcrumb mixture. Turn it over and gently press the crumbs onto both sides so the chicken is evenly coated.
6. Repeat with the remaining chicken, placing each breaded piece in the prepared baking dish or on the baking sheet. Drizzle or lightly brush the tops with a little olive oil.

7. Bake the chicken for about 15-20 minutes, or until nearly cooked through. Cooking time will depend on the thickness of the chicken.
8. While the chicken bakes, make the sauce. Use clean kitchen scissors to carefully cut the whole tomatoes into smaller pieces while they are still in the cans, or break them apart with a wooden spoon after adding them to the pan.
9. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds, just until fragrant.
10. Add the tomatoes, salt, and pepper. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 10–15 minutes, breaking up the tomatoes with a wooden spoon as they cook. Stir in the fresh basil.
11. Remove the chicken from the oven and spoon some tomato sauce over each piece. Top with fresh mozzarella.
12. Return the chicken to the oven for about 5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165F.
13. Meanwhile, cook the angel hair pasta according to the package directions and drain.
14. Serve the Chicken Parmesan with the pasta and additional tomato-basil sauce. Sprinkle with Parmesan and fresh basil, if desired.