Zesty Chicken Marinara Food

SPICY BAKED CHICKEN PARMESAN

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, or spray it with cooking spray.
• Begin by making the crispy panko crust, as described below.
• Spread the flour out evenly on a plate, add the eggs to a medium bowl, and spread the (prepared) panko mixture out on a plate.
• Season the chicken breasts on both sides with salt and pepper.
• Dip one chicken breast in the flour until it is evenly coated on all sides, shaking off the excess. Then dip it in the whisked eggs until it is completely coated. Then finally dip it in the panko mixture until it is evenly coated on all sides, and place it on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining chicken breasts.
• Mist the chicken breasts with some cooking spray (or I like to use an olive oil mister).
• Bake for 20 minutes, flipping the chicken over after 15 minutes. Then remove from oven, and spread a large spoonful of the spicy marinara sauce on top of each chicken breast, followed by about 1/4 cup of the shredded mozzarella.
• Bake for another 5 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and no longer pink inside.
• Remove and sprinkle with fresh basil and (if desired) extra crushed red pepper flakes. Serve immediately.
• Preheat oven to 425°F.
• Spread the panko breadcrumbs out on a large baking sheet in an even layer. Bake for 3-5 minutes, or until the breadcrumbs are toasted and golden. (Keep an eye on them so that they don't burn!) Remove from the oven.
• In a medium mixing bowl, combine breadcrumbs, Parmesan, Italian seasoning, and a pinch of salt and pepper, and whisk until combined.
• Heat oil in a large saute pan over medium-high heat. Add garlic and saute for 1 minute, stirring frequently, until fragrant. Add in the tomatoes, red pepper flakes, salt, oregano and black pepper, and stir to combine. Gently stir in the sprig of fresh basil. Continue cooking until the sauce reaches a simmer. Then reduce heat to medium-low and continue to let the sauce simmer for about 15 minutes, or until the oil on the surface is a deep orange. It will be reduced and thickened. Discard the sprig of basil, and season the sauce with additional salt and pepper if needed.
• Remove from heat and serve immediately, or store in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Or freeze for up to 3 months. (This recipe will make more sauce than you need for the Spicy Baked Chicken Parmesan, so save the leftovers for later!)

CHICKEN BREASTS PARMESAN

Steps:

• Heat pasta sauce, and cook pasta as directed on package omitting salt.
• Meanwhile, beat egg lightly in shallow dish. Mix next 3 ingredients in separate shallow dish. Dip chicken in egg, then in cheese mixture, turning to evenly coat both sides of each breast.
• Heat oil in large nonstick skillet on medium-high heat. Add chicken; cook 6 min. on each side or until done (165ºF). Top with mozzarella; cover. Cook on low heat 3 min. or until mozzarella is melted.
• Drain pasta; place on platter. Top with sauce and chicken.

ZESTY CHICKEN MARINARA

Steps:

• Place chicken in a 4-qt. slow cooker. In a small bowl, combine the marinara sauce, tomato, salad dressing, Italian seasoning and garlic; pour over chicken. Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours or until chicken is tender., Cook pasta according to package directions; drain. Serve chicken and sauce with pasta; sprinkle with cheese. Freeze option: Do not cook pasta. Freeze cooled chicken mixture in freezer containers. To use, partially thaw in refrigerator overnight. Cook pasta according to package directions. Place chicken mixture in a large skillet. Heat until a thermometer inserted in chicken reads 165°, stirring occasionally; add a little water if necessary. Serve as directed.

MARINATED ZESTY CHICKEN

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F.
• Pour dressing over chicken in shallow glass dish; turn to evenly coat chicken. Refrigerate 1 hour to marinate.
• Remove chicken from marinade; discard marinade. Place grated topping in shallow dish. Add chicken; turn to evenly coat both sides of each breast. Place in single layer in shallow pan sprayed with cooking spray.
• Bake 30 min. Meanwhile, cook mushrooms in skillet sprayed with cooking spray on high heat 3 min. or until tender, stirring frequently. Stir in basil.
• Top chicken with mushrooms and shredded cheese; bake 5 min. or until cheese is melted.

SPICY MARINARA SAUCE

Steps:

• Set a Dutch oven over medium heat, add the olive oil and heat until hot. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the tomatoes, tomato paste, oregano, salt and pepper and stir. Bring to a boil. Reduce the heat, cover and let simmer for about 10 minutes. Add the red wine and chile flakes in the last 2 minutes of cooking.

ZESTY CHICKEN MARINADE

Steps:

• Lightly pound chicken to an even thickness. Place chicken in large resealable plastic bag or glass dish.
• Mix remaining ingredients in small bowl.
• Add to chicken, turn to coat well.
• Refrigerate 30 minutes or longer for extra flavor.
• Remove from marinade, discard remaining marinade.
• Grill over medium high heat 6 to 7 minutes per side or until cooked through.
• If using bone-in chicken, double marinade. Let marinade thicken up for approximately 1/2 hour, then brush mixture onto both sides of chicken and marinate for at least 4 hours, or overnight.
• Bake chicken on top of a rack in baking pan at 350° approximately 60 minutes, or until juices run clear.
• If grilling bone-in chicken, cook 15 to 20 mins per side.