Chicken Parmesan is an Italian dish based on chicken. It consists of chicken cutlets, tomato sauce and cheese. It can be served between bread or with pasta.
This dish is very easy to make and kids will love to eat with their bread or pasta. My version is little different I have added two layers of tomato and chicken cutlets, instead of basil leaves I have added cilantro/ coriander leaves. Instead of mozzarella cheese I have added a combination of cheddar and mozzarella cheese.
INGREDIENTS
Chicken breast 1
Egg 1
Coriander leaves/basil leaves 2 tbsp
Parmesan cheese 6-7 tbsp
Mozzarella cheddar cheese 50 gm
Bread crumbs 1 tea cup
Olive oil 1/2 tea cup
FOR THE SAUCE
Tomatoes big 4
Onion grated 1
Garlic 4-5
Oregano 1 tbsp
Olive oil 1 tbsp
Salt to taste
METHOD
How to make the sauce:
Blanch the tomatoes in hot water, take out the skin and when it cools down blend it in a smooth puree. On medium fire heat add 1 tbsp olive oil in a skillet/kadai .Add grated onions and saute for 2-3 minutes. Add minced garlic and saute for two seconds. Add the tomato puree cover and cook for 5-8 minutes or until the sauce becomes thick. Add salt and oregano. Turn off the fire.
How to make chicken cutlets:
Slit the chicken breast in between. Place the chicken breast in between two layers of plastic wrap. Use a meat hammer/ rolling pin to pound the chicken pieces.Pound it to an even thickness. Cut it into 6-7 smaller pieces. Sprinkle salt on both sides. In a bowl mix bread crumbs and 2 tbsp parmesan cheese. In a separate bowl whisk an egg.
Heat 1/2 tea cup olive oil in a saucepan. Add a bread piece and see that oil sizizzles, it should not be very hot. Dip the chicken breast pieces in the bread crumbs and then to egg mixture and gently place in the sauce pan and cook it on medium fire till golden brown. Flip and cook the other side too for 3-4 minutes. Take it out keep it aside.
I have taken a round baking dish of 5 inches in diameter. Coat the bottom of the dish with half of the tomato sauce,spread it evenly.
Arrange half of the golden fried chicken cutlets on top of the sauce, sprinkle 2 tbsp of parmesan cheese and coriander leaves/ basil leaves.
Pour the remaining tomato sauce evenly on top of the chicken cutlets. Sprinkle 2 tbsp of parmesan cheese and coriander leaves/basil leaves on top of the cutlets.
Add slices of mozzarella cheddar cheese and sprinkle 2 tbsp of parmesan cheese. Sprinkle 1 tbsp coriander leaves/basil leaves on top.
Preheat the oven to 180 deg C. Bake for 10 – 12 minutes or until mozzarella cheddar cheese becomes golden brown. Serve with spaghetti/ pasta/ bread.
Note: Mozzarella cheese is used on top but I have used a combination of mozzarella and cheddar cheese. I have slit and pounded the chicken breast into half in between to make the cutlets so that it cooks well. I have made two layer of tomato, cheese and chicken cutlet combination.