Chicken Parmesan (Italian)

The main components of this dish, the sauce and the chicken, can be prepared in advance. When you're ready to eat, simply assemble and bake. Serve with pasta.

¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 pinch crushed red pepper flakes
1 (28 oz) can tomatoes, lightly pulsed in a blender or food processor
2 tsp. coarse sea salt
3 lb chicken breasts, boneless, skinless (3 whole breasts, split down the middle)
½ cup homemade breadcrumbs
¾ cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
¼ tsp. black pepper, freshly cracked
1 Tbsp. butter
1½ lb mozzarella cheese, sliced thin

Heat a saucepan over medium-high heat and add 1 Tbsp. of the olive oil, the garlic, and the red pepper flakes. Stir for 30 seconds. Add the tomatoes and ½ tsp. of the salt. Simmer for 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, working on a large surface covered in baking parchment or plastic wrap, lay down the chicken breasts. Using a sharp slicing knife, cut each piece in half horizontally through the middle.

In a large prep pan or dish, combine the bread crumbs and ½ cup of the Parmesan cheese. Spread out to cover the whole bottom of the pan. Lay down as many chicken breasts as will fit on the mixture. Sprinkle salt and pepper over each piece and turn over, completely coating with the bread-crumb mixture. Repeat the process with the remaining pieces of chicken.

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Swirl in 2 Tbsp. of olive oil, along with butter, to coat the pan. Add the chicken breasts in one layer and cook until golden, about 3 minutes on each side. Remove and repeat the process for the remaining chicken, adding a little oil and butter to the pan as needed.

Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C/180°C fan, Gas Mark 6).

Spoon some tomato sauce into a greased 9x13” baking dish to cover. Layer in the chicken pieces and top with mozzarella slices. Spoon over about 1¼ cups more sauce, and sprinkle on the remaining ¼ cup of Parmesan cheese.

Bake until golden and bubbling, 30-35 minutes. Let rest for at least 15 minutes before serving.

Makes 6 servings.