Chicken Parmesan

I really love Italian food, but I don't usually get to eat it. Italian food usually involves bread and pasta which means I can't eat at Italian restaurants and am just left to my own devices. Well this Italian dish is incredible. Amazing. Fantastico. (wait that's Spanish....hm.) Chicken Parmesan! One of my favorite Italian dishes. So here's how you do it!

Adapted from pioneer woman cooks

4-6 chicken breasts, pounded flat

1/2 cup all purpose flour (seasoned with salt/pepper to taste)

1/2 cup olive oil

2 Tbsp butter

1 whole onion, chopped

4 cloves of garlic, minced

3/4 cups wine (or chicken broth)

3 (14.5 oz) cans crushed tomatoes

2 Tbsp sugar

Seasonings to taste

fresh chopped parsley

Parmesan cheese (preferably fresh grated)

1 lb pasta

First you're gonna need to flatten those chicken breasts. This is my favorite part by the way. Put the chicken breasts between two sheets of saran wrap and have at it! You can use a meat tenderizer or even a pan. Go for it! Take all your anger and transfer it to this delicious piece of chicken. Once you've gotten out all your anger and are feeling much better about yourself and life in general, dredge them in the flour. In a pan, heat up the olive oil and butter, then add the dredged breasts.

Cook for a few minutes on both sides until golden brown and cooked through. Then set the chicken aside for later. Now, without cleaning the pan, add the onion and garlic.

Let them cook down for a couple minutes then add the wine/broth. If you are using wine, turn the flame off when you add it. Don't want to start any fires. Scrape the bottom of the pan and let the wine/broth cook down a bit. Then add the tomatoes and sugar, then let cook for 30 minutes or so. I also added some other seasonings, just to spice things up a bit. (get it? spice? hahahaha.......fine) I added basil, oregano, and a few bay leaves. But you can really add anything you want.

After 30 minutes, stir in the chopped parsley and put the chicken breasts back in the pan. Generously sprinkle the chicken with the Parmesan, reduce heat to low and cover. Let the chicken and sauce cook for a few more minutes and make sure the cheese is melted. Serve with pasta! Sorry I didn't get a picture of the final product, but I was frantically snarfing down boatloads of pasta.

XOXO

Natalie