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chicken parmigiana
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Chicken Parmigiana & Spaghetti Pomodoro

This classic Italian combo should be one of your go-to recipes for family dinner.
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time25 minutes
Total Time40 minutes
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: Italian
Keyword: Chicken, Pasta, Tomatoes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 921kcal
Author: Laura Lynch

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 28 ounces can San Marzano peeled tomatoes
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 6 fresh basil leaves chopped, or 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 6 ounces spaghetti
  • 2 chicken breasts
  • 2 egg whites
  • 1 teaspoon cornstarch
  • 3/4 cup breadcrumbs
  • 1/4 cup parmesan cheese finely grated
  • 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 cup cooking oil
  • 1 ball fresh mozzarella sliced
  • Parmesan cheese and fresh basil for garnish

Instructions

  • In a large pan over medium heat, saute the garlic for a few minutes, moving constantly so it doesn’t burn.
  • Pour the canned tomatoes and tomato paste into the pan and stir. Simmer for 10-15 minutes, until slightly thickened.
  • Boil a pot of salted water. Add the spaghetti and cook for 2 minutes less than the package instructs.
  • Place chicken cutlets on a cutting board. Cover with plastic wrap or parchment paper. Pound until they are an even thickness. Season with salt and pepper.
  • In a shallow dish, whisk the egg whites with the cornstarch until frothy.
  • In another dish, mix the breadcrumbs with the Parmesan cheese and Italian seasoning.
  • Dip the chicken in the egg whites, then in the breadcrumb mixture. Place them on a wire rack until all pieces are breaded.
  • Heat the oil in a large heavy-bottom pan until it reaches 350 degrees F. Fry the chicken until golden, about 4 minutes per side.
  • When the tomato sauce nears completion, add the basil and oregano. Stir well. Remove ½ cup of the sauce to dress the chicken.
  • When the pasta is ready, add it to the pan with the tomato sauce directly from the pasta water. Don’t pour out the pasta water just yet. Stir the spaghetti into the sauce and add ¼ to ½ cup of pasta water, as needed. Cook it for 3-4 minutes to finish. Taste and season with salt and pepper, as needed.
  • Transfer the chicken to a baking dish. Top with tomato sauce and mozzarella. Broil on high for 1 minute until the cheese is melted and browned. Sprinkle with fresh basil and serve with the pasta.

Video

Notes

  • For ultra-crispy breading on your chicken, try replacing your usual egg dredge with two egg whites with a teaspoon of cornstarch. This creates an extra thick, crunchy crust that holds up well under the marinara sauce.
  • Adding fresh basil to the Pomodoro sauce at the end of cooking gives it an extra burst of flavor. Simply tear a few leaves and toss them into the sauce as it simmers. The fragrant basil elevates the tomato flavor without overpowering the dish.
  • I always cook my pasta to a few minutes less than the package says. I want it to still be a little undercooked when I add it to the sauce so it can finish cooking in the sauce and not get overdone.

Nutrition

Calories: 921kcal | Carbohydrates: 65g | Protein: 52g | Fat: 51g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 10g | Monounsaturated Fat: 26g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 121mg | Sodium: 1055mg | Potassium: 1271mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 1005IU | Vitamin C: 21mg | Calcium: 505mg | Iron: 5mg