Deliciously Crispy Good Eats Chicken Parm Recipe
Good eats chicken parm is a classic Italian dish made with breaded chicken, tomato sauce, and mozzarella cheese. In this recipe, alton brown explores the science behind the perfect chicken parmesan.
With his expert techniques, you can achieve a crispy and succulent chicken cutlet that holds up to the sauce and cheese. Whether you’re looking to impress your dinner guests or simply enjoy a comforting meal, this recipe is sure to please.
So, let’s dive in and learn the secrets of a delicious chicken parmesan dish.
Ingredients
The Essential Ingredients
To make a delicious chicken parmesan dish, certain ingredients are a must-have. The following are the essential ingredients one needs to prepare a mouth-watering good eats chicken parm:
- Chicken breasts: To get the best results, boneless and skinless chicken breasts are recommended.
- Bread crumbs: Bread crumbs are used to coat the chicken before frying and baking.
- Mozzarella cheese: Mozzarella cheese is a staple ingredient in chicken parmesan, as it adds the gooeyness factor to the dish.
- Parmesan cheese: Parmesan cheese adds the much-needed saltiness, nuttiness, and depth of flavor to the dish.
- Marinara sauce: Marinara sauce is a tomato-based sauce used to complement the crispy chicken.
- Eggs: Eggs are used to create a breadcrumb-egg dip to coat the chicken before frying.
- Olive oil: Quality olive oil is used to fry the chicken until it becomes golden brown.
- Salt and pepper: Salt and pepper are must-have spices to add flavor to the dish.
Optional Ingredients
While the above ingredients are essential ones, some other ingredients can elevate the dish’s flavor profile. Here are some alternative ingredients that one can use in addition to the above:
- Basil: Basil adds freshness to the dish.
- Red pepper flakes: To add a hint of spice, red pepper flakes can be added.
- Garlic powder: For garlic flavor, garlic powder can be added to the bread crumbs.
- Italian seasoning: Italian seasoning adds depth of flavor to the chicken.
Now that we have gone through the essential and optional ingredients, let’s move to the recipe section.
Preparing The Chicken
Chicken parmesan is a classic Italian dish that everyone loves. The flavor of the dish heavily depends on how well you prepare the chicken. Here are a few tips and tricks on how to prepare chicken for good eats chicken parm:
Selecting And Preparing The Chicken Breasts
The first step to preparing the chicken for good eats chicken parm is to select the right type of chicken breasts. You want to use good-quality boneless and skinless chicken breasts that are roughly the same size and thickness. Here are a few key points to remember when slicing and pounding:
- Slice the chicken breasts in half horizontally to get two thin, even pieces.
- Pounding the chicken breasts with a meat mallet or rolling pin until they are about 1/4 inch thin helps to tenderize them and ensures they cook evenly.
- Cover the chicken breasts with plastic wrap before pounding them to prevent any mess.
Why It’s Important And How To Do It Properly?
Marinating the chicken is an essential step for flavorful chicken parmesan. It allows the chicken to absorb the seasonings and spices fully. Here are a few tips on how to marinate chicken for good eats chicken parm:
- Make the marinade using olive oil, chopped garlic, dried oregano, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes.
- Marinate the chicken breasts in the mixture for a minimum of 30 minutes, or preferably, overnight.
- Make sure you cover the chicken breasts adequately with the marinade, and place them in the refrigerator while they marinate.
Coating The Chicken: The Best Techniques
The final step to preparing the chicken for good eats chicken parm is coating it. You want to create a crispy coating that doesn’t fall apart when you fry the chicken. Here are a few techniques to ensure you coat the chicken correctly:
- Coat the chicken breasts in flour, egg, and breadcrumbs, in that specific order. Use one hand for the dry ingredients and the other hand for the wet ingredients.
- Press the chicken breasts into the breadcrumbs gently to ensure the coating sticks.
- Let the chicken rest for at least 10 minutes before frying it, as this helps to set the coating and prevents it from falling apart.
With these tips, your chicken will be juicy, flavorful, and perfectly prepared for good eats chicken parm.
Cooking The Chicken Parm
Preparing The Pan And The Oven
Before starting to cook the chicken parm, you’ll need to prepare the pan and the oven. Here are some tips to ensure optimal results:
- Preheat the oven to 375°f (190°c).
- Cover the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish with a thin layer of marinara sauce.
- Choose a pan with high sides, as the sauce and cheese tend to bubble up during cooking.
- If using fresh chicken breasts, pound them to an even thickness before cooking.
- Make sure the chicken is at room temperature before cooking to avoid uneven cooking.
Searing The Chicken: Best Techniques To Achieve A Delicious Golden Crust
Searing the chicken before baking is an essential step to achieving a golden, flavorful crust. These are the best techniques to use:
- In a separate dish, mix together the breadcrumbs, grated parmesan, salt, and pepper.
- Dip each chicken breast into the breadcrumb mixture, pressing the mixture onto the chicken to ensure good coverage.
- Heat up olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Once the oil is hot, add the breaded chicken breasts to the skillet, one at a time.
- Cook the chicken for 2-3 minutes on each side, or until the coating is golden and crispy.
Adding The Toppings: Mozzarella Cheese, Parmesan Cheese, And Marinara Sauce
The toppings are the stars of the show in chicken parm! Here’s how to add them:
- Spoon a generous amount of marinara sauce onto each chicken breast.
- Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese over the sauce.
- Finish with a dusting of grated parmesan cheese.
Baking The Chicken: Ideal Temperature And Cooking Time
Baking the chicken for the right amount of time is crucial for a perfectly cooked chicken parm. Follow these guidelines for the ideal temperature and cooking time:
- Bake the chicken in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°f (75°c).
- Cover the baking dish with foil for the first 20 minutes of baking to avoid over-browning the cheese and sauce.
- Remove the foil for the last 10 minutes of baking to allow the cheese to brown slightly.
- Serve hot with your favorite sides and enjoy your delicious chicken parm!
Serving And Enjoying
Chicken parmesan is a classic Italian dish that’s known for its crispy breaded chicken, gooey melted cheese, and tangy tomato sauce. It’s a crowd-pleaser, perfect for a family dinner or a party. Here are some tips on how to serve and enjoy chicken parmesan like a pro.
Why It’s Crucial And How To Do It Right?
Before you dive into the golden crispy paradise, let the chicken parmesan rest for a few minutes. Here’s why it’s essential and how to do it right:
- Resting allows the juices to redistribute and settle down, which makes the chicken tender and flavorful.
- Cover the chicken parmesan with foil and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing it.
- Do not cut the chicken immediately after taking it out of the oven. It will release the juices and make the chicken dry and bland.
The Best Side Dishes To Accompany The Chicken Parm: Pasta, Vegetables, Salad, And More
Chicken parmesan is a versatile dish, and you can pair it with various side dishes to create a complete and satisfying meal. Here are some of the best side dishes to serve with chicken parmesan:
- Pasta: Spaghetti, linguine, or penne are some of the best pasta choices to serve with chicken parmesan, especially if you toss them with a little bit of olive oil or butter.
- Vegetables: Roasted vegetables like broccoli, asparagus, and cherry tomato complement the chicken parmesan’s flavors. You can also serve a simple salad with lettuce, cucumber, and carrot.
- Bread: Garlic bread is a classic side dish that goes well with chicken parmesan.
- Wine: A glass of red wine will enhance the flavors of the chicken parmesan and make the meal more enjoyable.
Storing And Reheating Leftovers
Chicken parmesan is best enjoyed fresh, but if you have leftovers, you can store and reheat them to enjoy later. Here are some tips to keep the leftovers delicious:
- Store the chicken parmesan in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days.
- Reheat the chicken parmesan in the oven or toaster oven for optimum crispiness. Avoid microwaving it, as it will make the breading soggy.
- If the chicken parmesan feels dry after reheating, sprinkle some water or broth over it before heating it up to add some moisture.
- Do not freeze the leftovers, as it will ruin the texture and taste of the dish.
Chicken parmesan is a delicious and versatile dish that can be served in many ways. With these serving and enjoying tips, you’ll be able to enjoy chicken parmesan to its fullest potential. So, go ahead and indulge in this iconic Italian dish!
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do You Make Chicken Parmesan From Scratch?
To make chicken parmesan from scratch, bread chicken, brown it in oil, cover it in marinara sauce and cheese, and bake.
How Long Does It Take To Make Chicken Parmesan?
It takes about 45 minutes to make chicken parmesan from start to finish.
What Sides Go Well With Chicken Parmesan?
Sides that go well with chicken parmesan include spaghetti, garlic bread, salad, steamed vegetables, and roasted potatoes.
Conclusion
After indulging in good eats chicken parm, it’s safe to say that this dish is a winner. The combination of crispy breaded chicken, tangy tomato sauce, and melted mozzarella cheese is a match made in heaven. This classic Italian dish has been given a tasty twist that’s sure to satisfy your cravings.
Whether you’re looking for a quick weeknight dinner or a crowd-pleasing meal, good eats chicken parm is a great option. It’s a versatile dish that can be served with pasta, bread, or salad. Not only does it taste delicious, but it’s also easy to prepare at home.
With a few simple ingredients and some cooking equipment, you can recreate this restaurant-quality dish in your own kitchen. So, next time you’re in the mood for a classic Italian dish, give good eats chicken parm a try and you won’t be disappointed.