Chicken Parmesan Monday

Happy Monday!
I hope everyone had an awesome weekend. Mine was filled with work, work, and more work but that's how I make that money:) It was tiring but worth it. It was not all work but a little bit of fun was thrown into the mix. I attended my friend's daughters birthday party. I know, not fun in the traditional sense but I enjoyed watching all of the kids have fun. Princesses are really big in these parts. Savannah's birthday party came complete with a visit from her favorite princess, Ariel. The girls had fun singing, dancing, and getting the faces painted by Ariel.

I enjoyed my day off today. I had to do some house work but at least I didn't have to go to work:) All day I looked forward to having dinner with the hubby. I decided to make one of his favorites, Chicken Parmigiana. He loved it! I have to say, it came out really well and it was not hard to make. I did not go all the way traditional and I baked the chicken instead of fried it but I think it was just as delicious. I also cheated just a little and did not make my own sauce but jazzed up a jar sauce. Since this was a week night dinner and not a weekend dinner, I did not want to spend all night in the kitchen but wanted some quality time with the hubby. I have not seen him much these past days because of conflicting work schedules. I definitely encourage you to try this recipe out. I promise you will not be disappointed.

Chicken Parmigiana

2 chicken breast butterflied and pounded into 1/2 inch thickness
panko bread crumbs
2 eggs beaten
1/4 c flour
1/2 tsp garlic salt
salt and pepper
2 T olive oil
3 cloves of garlic minced
1/4 c Parmesan cheese plus more for sprinkling on top
1 jar of favorite pasta sauce
2 T basil
1 onion, diced
1/2 c shredded cheese
3/4 lb of favorite pasta

Directions
Preheat oven to 400F. Butterfly and pound out chicken.

Mix flour with salt, garlic salt, and pepper. Put it in a Ziploc bag. Make an assembly line of flour, egg, and pinko break crumbs mixed with Parmesan cheese. Place chicken in bag with flour and shake to coat the chicken.

Then dip the chicken in the egg and then the bread crumbs.

 Place chicken on baking sheet and bake for 30 minutes or until cooked through and golden.

In the meantime boil the water and cook the pasta according to the directions. In another pot add olive oil and heat over medium heat. Add the onion and cook for about 2 minutes or until it softens slightly then add the garlic and continue to cook for another 5 minutes.

Add the pasta sauce and basil and cook for about 10 minutes or until sauce is thoroughly heated. Toss the cooked pasta into the sauce until pasta is thoroughly coated.When the chicken is cooked through top with some sauce and then add cheese. Bake until the cheese is melted.

Place pasta on plate and top with the chicken. Garnish with additional Parmesan cheese. Enjoy!

I promise this is an easy make and so delicious. I hope you are having a great start to the week.