Creamy Chicken Parmesan For Two Recipes

Steps:

• Set a wire rack inside a rimmed baking sheet. Line another rimmed baking sheet with foil. Cut two 12-inch sheets of plastic wrap.
• Cut the chicken breasts in half lengthwise, making 4 roughly equal pieces; they should look like large chicken tenders. Place one sheet of plastic on a clean cutting board. Put one chicken piece in the center of the plastic and top with the other sheet of plastic. Pound the chicken with the flat side of a meat mallet, starting in the center and working your way to the edges, until the chicken is 1/4-inch thick. Transfer to the wire rack. Repeat with the remaining chicken, one piece at a time. Liberally sprinkle with salt and pepper.
• Put the flour in a pie plate and dredge the chicken 1 piece at a time, turning to coat and packing the flour into the crevices. Shake to remove any excess and return to the rack. Repeat with the remaining chicken.
• Whisk the breadcrumbs, 1/4 cup of the Parmesan, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper in a medium bowl until combined. Whisk the milk and egg in a medium bowl until combined. Dip the dredged chicken into the milk mixture, allowing any excess to drip off. Then pack the seasoned breadcrumbs firmly onto the chicken. Very gently
• shake off any excess and return to the rack. Refrigerate uncovered at least 30 minutes and up to 12 hours.
• Meanwhile, make the sauce. Heat 1/3 cup of the oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the garlic, oregano and red pepper flakes and cook until very fragrant but not brown, about 1 minute. Add the tomatoes, basil and 1 teaspoon salt. Bring to a boil and then reduce to a simmer and cook, uncovered, until the tomatoes are very tender and the liquid has reduced by half, about 30 minutes. Smash the tomatoes with a potato masher until almost smooth; it's ok if it's a little chunky. Season with salt.
• Heat the remaining 1/2 cup oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 2 cutlets and cook until the coating is golden brown, about 1 minute per side; the chicken will not be cooked through. Transfer to the foil-lined baking sheet in a single layer 3 inches apart. Repeat with the remaining cutlets.
• Arrange an oven rack directly under the broiler and preheat to high. Arrange the chicken in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet, spaced 3 inches apart. Top each cutlet with 2/3 cup of the sauce and spread evenly to coat. Sprinkle each cutlet with 1 tablespoon of the Parmesan and 1/2 cup mozzarella. Broil until the cheese melts and starts to brown in spots, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Cook the spaghetti, stirring occasionally, until al dente. Drain and transfer to the remaining sauce. Gently stir until the sauce coats the pasta. Transfer the spaghetti to a serving dish and top with the chicken. Sprinkle with more Parmesan and serve with torn basil.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Lightly spray a pie plate or a foil-lined baking sheet with cooking spray; set aside.
• Combine Parmesan, breadcrumbs, and salt in a shallow dish (I use a paper plate). Place egg in a separate shallow dish.
• Dip each side of each chicken breast in egg, then dredge in the breadcrumb mixture. Place on prepared pan.
• Bake for 18 minutes, flipping once halfway through, until done.
• Take the chicken out and switch the oven to BROIL.
• Divide the sauce evenly and pour over each piece of chicken. Sprinkle evenly with the mozzarella cheese.
• Broil 2 minutes or until the cheese melts.

Steps:

• Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Pour in olive oil and allow to get hot. Add onion and garlic and stir for 2 minutes. Add crushed tomatoes. Stir in chicken broth, red wine, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, onion powder, 1/2 teaspoon oregano, 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt, pepper, and sugar. Reduce heat to low and simmer, stirring occasionally, until sauce thickens, about 15 minutes. Stir in chopped basil at the last minute.
• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil while sauce is cooking. Cook rigatoni in the boiling water, stirring occasionally until tender yet firm to the bite, about 13 minutes. Drain.
• Preheat oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C). Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Place chicken breasts in a resealable plastic bag and flatten with a meat mallet to 1/4-inch thickness.
• Prepare a breading station with 3 large mixing bowls: Combine flour, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in the first bowl. Stir together eggs and milk in the second bowl. Combine bread crumbs, 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, 1 teaspoon oregano, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, and 1/4 teaspoon salt in the third bowl.
• Dredge each piece of chicken in flour mixture and shake off excess. Dip into egg mixture and coat with bread crumbs. Repeat steps for remaining chicken and set on a plate.
• Heat about 1 inch canola oil in a large cast iron skillet over medium-high heat until hot but not smoking. Add breaded chicken in batches; cook until golden brown, 1 to 2 minutes per side. Transfer chicken to the baking sheet. Sprinkle the top with mozzarella cheese and 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese.
• Bake in the preheated oven until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F (74 degrees C) and the cheeses have melted, about 5 minutes. Serve with marinara sauce and rigatoni.

Steps:

• Mix cracker crumbs and 1 Tbsp. Parmesan on small plate. Rinse chicken with cold water; dip in crumb mixture, turning to evenly coat both sides of each breast. Press crumbs gently into chicken to secure.
• Bring 1 cup broth and water to boil in medium saucepan on medium-high heat. Add orzo; simmer on medium-low heat 9 min. or until most of liquid is absorbed and orzo is tender. Meanwhile, heat oil in large nonstick skillet on medium heat. Add chicken; cook 5 to 6 min. on each side or until done (165ºF). Remove chicken from skillet, reserving drippings in skillet; cover chicken to keep warm.
• Add Neufchatel and remaining broth to drippings in skillet. Bring just to boil on medium heat, stirring constantly. Simmer 3 min. or until sauce is thickened, stirring frequently. Meanwhile, add vegetables to orzo mixture; simmer 2 min. or until heated through, stirring frequently.
• Spoon orzo mixture onto 2 serving plates; top with chicken. Stir remaining Parmesan into Neufchatel sauce; spoon over chicken.