Chicken Parmesan

Ingredients

• 1½ lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• 2 large eggs
• 1½ cup Panko breadcrumbs
• ½ cup Parmesan cheese
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp dried oregano
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• ½ cup vegetable oil
• 2 cup marinara sauce
• 8 oz fresh mozzarella cheese
• ¼ cup fresh basil (optional)

Steps

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Slice chicken breasts horizontally to create 4 thinner cutlets. Season chicken with salt and pepper.
2. Set up a breading station: one shallow dish with flour, one with beaten eggs, and one with Panko breadcrumbs mixed with grated Parmesan, garlic powder, oregano, salt, and pepper.
3. Dredge each chicken cutlet in flour, then dip in egg, and finally coat thoroughly with the breadcrumb mixture.
4. Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Fry chicken cutlets for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown. They don't need to be cooked through.
5. Spread a thin layer of marinara sauce in the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish. Place fried chicken cutlets over the sauce.
6. Top each chicken cutlet with more marinara sauce, then arrange slices of fresh mozzarella cheese over the sauce.
7. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the chicken is cooked through. Garnish with fresh basil if desired.
8. Serve immediately, perhaps with pasta or a side salad.