Easy Chicken Parm

The timing of this recipe has no significance other than the fact that I am kind of craving it :-). This is an easy recipe for sure, but it may take a trip to the grocery store to purchase the chicken, unless you keep some frozen and on hand at all time (which i recommend!) Also, this is a healthier recipe because the chicken is breaded and baked! Big time bonus. So without further ado......


Easy (and healthy!) Chicken Parm
(serves 2)

Ingredients:
2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs (italian style)
1/8 cup parmesan cheese
1 TBSP olive oil
1 egg
1 jar of marinara sauce (any brand you like; I like Prego!)
1 cup mozzarella cheese
1/2 lb spaghetti noodles



Steps:
1. Place the chicken in a plastic baggie (make sure there is plenty of room in it-- I use a gallon size)
2. Pound the chicken flat until it is about 1/4" thick (I use a cooking pot to pound out the chicken
3. In a bowl, mix together bread crumbs, parmesan cheese, and olive oil until the oil is incorporated and the crumbs are moistened
4. In another bowl, mix together the egg and 1 TBSP of water
5. Dredge each chicken breast in the egg mixture first, then into the bread crumb mixture (it helps to reserve one hand as the hand that places the chicken in the wet mixture and one hand that places the chicken in the dry mixture so you do not get a clumpy bread-crumby mess!)
6. Start boiling your water for the spaghetti noodles
6. Place the chicken in an 8x8 baking dish coated with olive oil (any size dish will do, as long as it has sides!)
7. Bake at 400° for 10 minutes. Remove from oven, top with a couple spoonfuls of marinara sauce and 1/4 c of mozzarella cheese on each chicken breast. Place chicken back in oven and bake 5-7 more minutes, until the cheese melts.
8. While the chicken is cooking, prepare your spaghetti noodles according to the package instructions.
9. Drain the noodles and then divide them into 2 bowls. (At this point I like to sprinkle in a little parmesan and mozzarella cheese and stir it into the noodles, but this is optional!)
10. Add marinara to each bowl (as much or as little as you like; depending on your saucy preference!)
11. Top with chicken, and enjoy!!


Time breakdown:
Chicken prep: 5 minutes
Chicken cook time: 15-17 minutes
Noodle prep/cook time: 10-12 minutes (do be overlapped during the chicken cooking!)

Total time: 20-25 minutes. It's a snap!