We skipped breading in this healthy one-dish chicken Parm recipe to save time. There's still plenty of gooey cheese, and the garlic, pepper flakes and oregano lend big flavor. Serve with pasta or in a hoagie roll with the sauce (there's lots of it) spooned on top. In sandwich form, it's easily wrapped in foil and eaten on the go. Excerpted from The Dinner Plan by Kathy Brennan and Caroline Campion, published by ABRAMS © 2017.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 small boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 1/2 pounds total), patted dry
- salt and pepper to taste
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- large pinch of crushed red pepper flakes
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 2 cups (8 ounces) shredded packaged mozzarella or sliced fresh mozzarella, patted dry
- ¼ cup freshly grated parmesan or pecorino cheese
- 1 handful fresh basil leaves
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (205 degrees C), with a rack in the middle position. In a large high-sided sauté pan, heat the oil over medium-high heat until it shimmers. Season the chicken generously with salt and pepper; add to the pan and cook until lightly golden, about 2 minutes. Flip the pieces over and cook 1 minute more.
- Sprinkle the garlic around the chicken, followed by the pepper flakes and oregano. Pour the tomatoes evenly over the chicken, season with salt and pepper, then gently shake the pan to distribute the sauce (you can also do this with a small spoon). Top the chicken with the mozzarella and Parmesan (if using) to taste.
- Bake until the sauce is bubbling and the chicken is just cooked through, 12 to 14 minutes. (Brown it under the broiler, if you like.) Off the heat, top with the basil leaves (if using), tearing any large ones. Let the Parm rest for about 5 minutes before serving, and keep the pan's handle covered with an oven mitt; it's easy to forget it's hot. Serve with more Parmesan cheese, if you like.