Classic Chicken Parmesan Recipes

Steps:

• Slice the chicken breasts in half horizontally to make 4 thin cutlets. Put between 2 pieces of plastic wrap and pound with a meat mallet or heavy skillet until 1/4 inch thick. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a medium pot over medium heat. Add the garlic and red pepper flakes and cook, stirring, until the garlic softens, about 1 minute. Add the tomato puree, then rinse out the can with 1 cup water and add to the pot. Simmer until the sauce just thickens, about 10 minutes. Whisk in 1/4 cup parmesan and the basil. Spread 1/2 cup of the sauce in a 3-quart flameproof baking dish. Preheat the broiler. Meanwhile, combine the flour and 1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper in a shallow dish. Beat the eggs with 1/4 cup parmesan in another shallow dish. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Dredge 2 chicken cutlets in the flour, tapping off the excess, then dip in the egg mixture. Carefully lay in the skillet and fry until golden brown and just cooked through, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Transfer to the baking dish. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil to the skillet and repeat with the remaining 2 chicken cutlets. Add to the baking dish. Combine the mozzarella and the remaining 2 tablespoons parmesan in a bowl. Sprinkle half of the cheese mixture on the chicken, then top with the remaining sauce and the remaining cheese mixture. Broil until the cheese melts, about 2 minutes.

Steps:

• Preheat an oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C).
• Place chicken breasts between two sheets of heavy plastic (resealable freezer bags work well) on a solid, level surface. Firmly pound chicken with the smooth side of a meat mallet to a thickness of 1/2-inch. Season chicken thoroughly with salt and pepper.
• Beat eggs in a shallow bowl and set aside.
• Mix bread crumbs and 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese in a separate bowl, set aside.
• Place flour in a sifter or strainer; sprinkle over chicken breasts, evenly coating both sides.
• Dip flour coated chicken breast in beaten eggs. Transfer breast to breadcrumb mixture, pressing the crumbs into both sides. Repeat for each breast. Set aside breaded chicken breasts for about 15 minutes.
• Heat 1 cup olive oil in a large skillet on medium-high heat until it begins to shimmer. Cook chicken until golden, about 2 minutes on each side. The chicken will finish cooking in the oven.
• Place chicken in a baking dish and top each breast with about 1/3 cup of tomato sauce. Layer each chicken breast with equal amounts of mozzarella cheese, fresh basil, and provolone cheese. Sprinkle 1 to 2 tablespoons of Parmesan cheese on top and drizzle with 1 tablespoon olive oil.
• Bake in the preheated oven until cheese is browned and bubbly, and chicken breasts are no longer pink in the center, 15 to 20 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).