Chicken Parmesan

(Yay a Wednesday post!) 

Hubby and I both independently had the idea to make chicken parmesan for dinner.  We combined our skills (his perfect marinara and my ability to bread chicken) and set off on an impromptu cooking experience.   It was really quite easy and does not in fact (regardless of my previous statements) require much skill.  And it was tasty to boot!

Chicken Parmesan

Breaded Chicken

• 4 chicken breasts (you can modify this to meet your needs, of course)
• 1 cup plain bread crumbs
• 1 tsp oregano
• 1 tsp basil
• 1 tsp thyme
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp onion powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp pepper
  
•  1 cup flour
• 2 eggs
• 2 tsp water

Marina Sauce

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp oregano
• 16 oz tomato sauce
• 4 oz tomato paste
• 4 oz water
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 1 tsp salt

For Serving

• Pasta, prepared per the instructions (spaghetti or angel hair works well)
  
• Mozzarella   

For the chicken:  Preheat the oven to 350 and spray a baking dish with pam.  In a large, shallow bowl or dish (pie pans work well) combine the breadcrumbs, oregano, basil, thyme, garlic powder, onion powder,  salt, and pepper.  Place the flour into another shallow dish. In yet another dish, beat together the eggs and water.   

It's easiest to set up an assembly line.  First, your chicken, then the flour, egg mixture, and breadcrumbs with the baking dish at the end.  Dredge a chicken breast in the flour, making sure it is well coated but removing any excess.  Dredge the chicken in the egg mixture, then through the breadcrumb mixture.  Go back to the egg mixture and dip it again, making sure to shake off any excess.  Dredge once again in the breadcrumbs and place in the baking dish.  This is what you're doing:

 Flour -> Egg -> Breadcrumbs -> Egg -> Breadcrumbs

 Repeat for each piece of chicken.  Bake 35 minutes or until the chicken is no longer pink. 

Once the chicken has been baking for 15 minutes or so, combine the marina ingredients in a saucepan and bring to a boil.  After it begins to boil, reduce to a simmer.   

To serve: Place chicken atop a bed of pasta, then ladle some sauce on top. Sprinkle with Mozzarella and enjoy.