A very moist and tender chicken. Serve with roasted new potatoes. Excellent for a family dinner
or even company.
Crusted Parmesan Chicken Breasts
Recipe Type:
Poultry,
Parmesan Cheese, Chicken, Entree
Yields: 4 servings
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 15 min
Ingredients:
4 (6 to 7 ounces each) chicken breast halves, boneless and skinless*
2
egg whites
2 teaspoons cornstarch
Juice of 1/2 lemon
1 cup coarse
bread crumbs**
1/2 cup grated
Parmesan Cheese (Parmigiano-Reggiano)
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley leaves
1 teaspoon coarse
salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly-ground black pepper
Zest of one lemon, minced
3 tablespoons
olive oil
* The U.S. Department
of Agriculture, as well as food agencies in the United Kingdom and elsewhere,
advises against washing poultry. Rinsing chicken will not remove or kill much
bacteria, and the splashing of water around the sink can spread the bacteria
found in raw chicken. Cooking poultry to 165 degrees Fahrenheit effectively
destroys the most common culprits behind food-borne illness.
** Learn to make
Homemade Bread Crumbs.
Preparation:
Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.
Working with one chicken breast at a time, place each between two pieces of plastic wrap with the smooth side down (where the skin used to be).
Working from the center to the edges, gently pound each chicken breast with a meat mallet to 1/2-inch thick.
You want the smooth side to remain intact while the ragged side receives the impact of the mallet.
And since chicken has little connective tissue, it’s important to use gentle strokes when pounding as the meat can tear easily.
In a shallow pie plate, combine egg whites, cornstarch, and lemon juice.
In another shallow pie plate, combine bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, parsley, salt, pepper, and lemon zest.
Dip both sides of prepared chicken into the egg/cornstarch mixture.
Transfer the chicken to the crumb plate, and pat crumbs on both sides of the chicken. Let chicken air dry on a baking rack for approximately 30 minutes to set crust.
In a large nonstick, ovenproof frying pan over medium-high heat, heat olive oil. Add chicken and cook
approximately 3 minutes or until golden brown.
Carefully flip chicken and then transfer frying pan
to oven to finish cooking. Roast chicken in the oven approximately 8 to 10 minutes until a
meat thermometer registers an
internal temperature of 165 degrees F (juices will run clear when cut with the tip of a knife). Remove from oven.
This
is the type of cooking and meat thermometer that I prefer and use in my cooking. I get many readers
asking what cooking/meat thermometer that I prefer and use in my cooking and baking. I, personally, use the
Thermapen Thermometer shown in the photo on the right. Originally designed for professional users, the
Super-Fast Thermapen Thermometer is used by chefs all over the world. To learn more about this excellent
thermometer and to also purchase one (if you desire), just click on the underlined:
Thermapen Thermometer.
Transfer chicken onto a serving platter and serve immediately.
Makes 4 servings.
