The Best Chicken Parmesan

Ingredients

Marinara Sauce

• 1 Tbsp olive oil
• 1/4 cup finely chopped yellow onion
• 2 garlic cloves, minced (2 tsp)
• 1 (28 oz) can crush Roma tomatoes
• 1/4 tsp dried oregano
• 2 fresh basil sprigs*
• salt and freshly ground black pepper

Chicken

• 2 (8 oz) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, trimmed, halved horizontally*, and pounded to 1/2-inch thick
• 2 oz whole-milk mozzarella cheese, shredded (1/2 cup)
• 2 oz provolone cheese, shredded (1/2 cup) (I just bought a very thick slice from the deli counter, then grated it)
• 1 large egg
• 1 Tbsp all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 oz Parmesan cheese, finely shredded (1/2 cup)
• 1/2 cup Panko bread crumbs
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp dried oregano
• 1/3 cup olive oil
• 1/4 cup torn fresh basil

Instructions

1. For the sauce, heat 1 Tbsp olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat.
2. Add in onions and saute for 2 minutes then add garlic, and saute 30 seconds longer.
3. Stir in crushed tomatoes, 1/4 tsp salt, oregano, and 2 fresh basil sprigs, then season with salt and pepper to taste.
4. Bring mixture to a simmer then reduce heat to low and allow to simmer 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened. Remove basil, remove from heat and cover saucepan with a lid.
5. For the chicken, while the sauce is simmering, sprinkle each side of the chicken cutlet lightly with salt, let stand at room temperature 10 minutes.
6. Adjust oven rack 4-inches from broiler element and preheat broiler.
7. In a shallow dish, whisk together flour and egg until smooth. In a separate shallow dish, toss together
8. Parmesan cheese, Panko bread crumbs, garlic powder, oregano, and 1/4 tsp pepper.
9. Pat chicken dry with paper towels then working with 1 chicken cutlet at a time, dredge chicken in egg mixture coating both sides and allowing excess to run off, then immediately transfer to Parmesan mixture and coat both sides with mixture, while pressing to allow crumbs to adhere.
10. Transfer chicken to a plate and repeat process with remaining chicken cutlets. Pour olive oil into a 10-inch non-stick skillet and heat over medium-high heat.
11. Once the oil is shimmering, add 2 coated chicken cutlets and fry without moving them until the bottom is crispy and golden brown, about 2 – 3 minutes, then using metal tongs rotate to the opposite side and cook until golden brown, about 2 – 3 minutes longer until (chicken should be about 155 degrees, it will cook just briefly in the oven).
12. Transfer fried chicken to a baking sheet. Repeat process with the remaining 2 pieces of chicken.
13. Toss Mozzarella and provolone together and sprinkle cheese mixture in a mound over cutlets.
14. Broil in oven until cheese is melted (you can let it brown a little if you like) about 1 – 2 minutes (keep a close eye on it!).
15. Remove from oven and cover each cutlet with 2 Tbsp marinara sauce. Sprinkle tops evenly with
16. remaining 1/4 cup fresh basil and serve immediately (serve the extra sauce with pasta on the side).
17. Recipe Source: adapted with some changes from Cook’s Illustrated.