Cheese Crusted Chicken Food

CRISPY PARMESAN ROAST CHICKEN

Steps:

• Combine the minced thyme, minced rosemary, 1 tablespoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in a small bowl. Scatter the herb sprigs, lemon and onion wedges, garlic and carrots in a 9-by-13-inch baking dish.
• Pat the chicken dry with paper towels. Using poultry shears, cut along both sides of the backbone to remove it. Open the chicken breast-side up and press firmly in the center of the breast to flatten. Sprinkle the salt mixture over both sides of the chicken. Place the chicken on top of the aromatics in the baking dish, tucking the wing tips under, and let sit at room temperature for 1 hour.
• When ready to roast, position a rack in the upper third of the oven and preheat to 425 degrees F.
• Drizzle the chicken with the olive oil and sprinkle all over with the Parmesan. Roast until an instant-read thermometer inserted into a thigh reaches 165 degrees F, about 45 minutes. Remove from the oven and let the chicken rest for 15 minutes before carving. Serve on a platter with the roasted carrots, lemon, onion and garlic.

THE BEST CHICKEN PARMESAN

Steps:

• Set a wire rack inside a rimmed baking sheet. Line another rimmed baking sheet with foil. Cut two 12-inch sheets of plastic wrap.
• Cut the chicken breasts in half lengthwise, making 4 roughly equal pieces; they should look like large chicken tenders. Place one sheet of plastic on a clean cutting board. Put one chicken piece in the center of the plastic and top with the other sheet of plastic. Pound the chicken with the flat side of a meat mallet, starting in the center and working your way to the edges, until the chicken is 1/4-inch thick. Transfer to the wire rack. Repeat with the remaining chicken, one piece at a time. Liberally sprinkle with salt and pepper.
• Put the flour in a pie plate and dredge the chicken 1 piece at a time, turning to coat and packing the flour into the crevices. Shake to remove any excess and return to the rack. Repeat with the remaining chicken.
• Whisk the breadcrumbs, 1/4 cup of the Parmesan, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper in a medium bowl until combined. Whisk the milk and egg in a medium bowl until combined. Dip the dredged chicken into the milk mixture, allowing any excess to drip off. Then pack the seasoned breadcrumbs firmly onto the chicken. Very gently
• shake off any excess and return to the rack. Refrigerate uncovered at least 30 minutes and up to 12 hours.
• Meanwhile, make the sauce. Heat 1/3 cup of the oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the garlic, oregano and red pepper flakes and cook until very fragrant but not brown, about 1 minute. Add the tomatoes, basil and 1 teaspoon salt. Bring to a boil and then reduce to a simmer and cook, uncovered, until the tomatoes are very tender and the liquid has reduced by half, about 30 minutes. Smash the tomatoes with a potato masher until almost smooth; it's ok if it's a little chunky. Season with salt.
• Heat the remaining 1/2 cup oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 2 cutlets and cook until the coating is golden brown, about 1 minute per side; the chicken will not be cooked through. Transfer to the foil-lined baking sheet in a single layer 3 inches apart. Repeat with the remaining cutlets.
• Arrange an oven rack directly under the broiler and preheat to high. Arrange the chicken in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet, spaced 3 inches apart. Top each cutlet with 2/3 cup of the sauce and spread evenly to coat. Sprinkle each cutlet with 1 tablespoon of the Parmesan and 1/2 cup mozzarella. Broil until the cheese melts and starts to brown in spots, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Cook the spaghetti, stirring occasionally, until al dente. Drain and transfer to the remaining sauce. Gently stir until the sauce coats the pasta. Transfer the spaghetti to a serving dish and top with the chicken. Sprinkle with more Parmesan and serve with torn basil.

AMAZING CRUSTED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C). Spray a baking dish with cooking spray.
• Mix cheese-flavored crackers, French-fried onions, Italian bread crumbs, sesame seeds, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Set aside.
• Wash and pat chicken breasts dry. Spread a thin layer of mayonnaise on one side of each piece and place mayonnaise-side down in the cracker mixture. Spread a thin layer of mayonnaise on the other side of the chicken and cover with the cracker mixture, patting firmly into the chicken. Place chicken breasts on the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle remaining cracker mixture on top; lightly spray the chicken with cooking spray.
• Bake in the preheated oven until the chicken breasts are no longer pink in the center and the juices run clear, 35 to 40 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).

CHEDDAR BAKED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Coat a medium baking dish with 1/4 cup melted butter.
• In a bowl, mix the flour, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. In a separate bowl, beat together the egg and milk. In a third bowl, mix the cheese, bread crumbs, cereal. Dredge chicken pieces in the flour mixture, dip in the egg mixture, then press in the breadcrumb mixture to coat. Arrange in the prepared baking dish. Drizzle 2 tablespoons butter evenly over chicken.
• Bake 35 minutes in the preheated oven, or until coating is golden brown and chicken juices run clear.

CHEESE CRUSTED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Pound breasts lightly to flatten to uniform 1/4 inch thick: set aside.
• Sift together flour, salt, nutmeg, and pepper; Have beaten egg in a pie pan. Mix together cheese and bread crumbs; set aside.
• Coat breast halves with seasoned flour, shaking off excess; dip in egg, then in cheese-crumb mixture, coating well.
• In a large, non-stick skillet over MEDIUM heat, melt butter.
• Add chicken and sauté until golden brown on both sides (about 5 minutes per side). Drain on paper towels.
• Serve with lemon wedges.

PARMESAN CRUSTED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
• Combine Hellmann's® or Best Foods® Real Mayonnaise with cheese in medium bowl.
• Arrange chicken on baking sheet. Evenly top with mayonnaise mixture, then sprinkle with bread crumbs.
• Bake 20 minutes or until chicken is thoroughly cooked.

BAKED CHICKEN BREASTS WITH PARMESAN CRUST

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Mix the mustard, thyme, 1/2 teaspoon salt and the cayenne in a medium bowl. Add the chicken breasts and turn to coat completely; set aside. In a medium shallow bowl, combine the parmesan and panko. Dredge the chicken pieces in the panko mixture, coating evenly and heavily, and pressing the coating into the meat. Put the chicken on a rack set over a baking sheet, spray with a quick burst of cooking spray and put the sheet in the middle of the oven. Bake until the chicken is golden and cooked through, 15 to 20 minutes. Let rest 5 minutes before cutting or serving.
• Photograph by Charles Masters