The Ultimate Chicken Parmesan

Hey Smokin and Grillin wit AB Fam! Today, we’re diving deep into the art of making the Ultimate Chicken Parmesan, a dish that’s bound to become a household favorite! So, buckle up, fire up that grill, and let’s get cookin’!

Ingredients

Chicken:

• 2 large chicken breasts, sliced thinly in half
• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 cup buttermilk
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper

Flour Dredge:

• 3/4 cup flour
• 1/4 cup cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 2 teaspoons oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Breading:

• 1 & 1/2 cups Panko bread crumbs

Frying:

• 1 inch of vegetable oil (or Branch and Vine )

Sauce:

• 1 (24-oz) jar good quality marinara sauce
• 1 (14-oz can) petite diced tomatoes
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 2 teaspoons oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 2-4 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped (optional)

Pasta:

• Large pot of water
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 12 ounces spaghetti or other long pasta

Toppings:

• 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, shredded
• 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded

Instructions

Prepare the Chicken:

• In a bowl, whisk together eggs, buttermilk, garlic powder, kosher salt, and pepper.
• Place chicken slices into the egg mixture, ensuring they are well-coated. Let them marinate for at least 30 minutes.

Create the Flour Dredge:

• In a shallow dish, combine flour, cornstarch, kosher salt, pepper, oregano, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper.

Bread the Chicken:

• Dredge each marinated chicken slice in the flour mixture, ensuring an even coating.
• Dip the floured chicken into the Panko breadcrumbs, pressing gently to adhere the crumbs.

Fry the Chicken:

• Heat 1 inch of vegetable oil in a pan over medium-high heat.
• Fry breaded chicken until golden brown and cooked through, about 3-4 minutes per side. Place on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.

Prepare the Sauce:

• In a saucepan, combine marinara sauce, diced tomatoes, kosher salt, oregano, garlic powder, and dried basil. Simmer for 15-20 minutes, allowing flavors to meld.
• Stir in fresh basil before serving (if using).

Cook the Pasta:

• Cook spaghetti in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and set aside.

Assemble the Chicken Parmesan:

• Preheat the broiler.
• In a baking dish, spread a layer of the prepared sauce. Place the fried chicken on top.
• Spoon additional sauce over each piece of chicken, then sprinkle with parmesan and mozzarella cheese.

Broil:

• Place the baking dish under the broiler until the cheese is melted and bubbly, about 2-3 minutes. Keep a close eye to prevent burning.

Serve:

• Serve the chicken Parmesan over the cooked pasta, with extra sauce if desired.

Garnish:

• Garnish with additional fresh basil and a sprinkle of parmesan cheese before serving.