Mike's Favorite ~ Chicken Parmesan

I'm a bit of a Food Network addict.  With the Cooking Channel out, I split my time a little more evenly, but I can't stop.  I love the recipes and I have my favorite chefs.  

Hi Alton Brown!!  You're super awesome and brilliant!!

One day, a long long time ago, I saw Emeril making Shrimp Parmigiana.  Yum!  I made the recipe for my dad and step-mom.  It was kind of a lot of work since I was still a new-ish cook, but it tasted great.

When Mike and I started dating I cooked for him a lot.  He lived with two bachelor type friends and they rarely cooked anything except boxed mac n cheese.  I knew I would score easy points with my food skills.  One day I made him Chicken Parmesan.  I used the same spice mix and method for the chicken as Emeril used for his shrimp.  Mike freaked.  He told his roommates all about dinner.  He had me make the chicken again the very next week.  This time I made enough for everyone to try it.  There were rave reviews all around.

I'm giving the recipe that won my man's heart...and stomach.  Feel special. 

Mike's Favorite Chicken Parmesan

Ingredients:

2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, butterflied

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

1 egg

1/2 cup milk

3/4 Panko bread crumbs

1/4 cup Parmesan cheese

1 tablespoon salt, plus more for water

2 tablespoons Essence (recipe below)

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1 pound penne pasta

1 jar of your favorite spaghetti sauce, divided

Fresh mozzarella cheese, cut into slices

Fresh basil, torn into pieces

Directions:

1. Bring a large pot, filled halfway with water, to a boil over high heat.  Generously salt boiling water and add pasta.  Reduce heat to medium-high and cook until al dente, stirring occasionally.  When ready, drain pasta.  Toss with all but 1 1/4 cups of pasta sauce and set aside.
2. Set up your dredging stations:
   Station 1 - On a plate: flour mixed with 1 tablespoon salt & 1 tablespoon Essence
   Station 2 - In a bowl: egg and milk whisked together
   Station 3 - On a plate: Panko bread crumbs, Parmesan, and 1 tablespoon Essence mixed together
3. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
4. Heat oil over medium heat in a cast iron skillet.  Dredge one chicken breast in the flour, then in the egg mixture, and finally in the bread crumb mixture.  Place carefully into hot oil.  Repeat with other chicken breast.
5. Cook chicken for 4 to 5 minutes per side, until golden brown crust forms and chicken is cooked through.
6. In a 11" x 8" baking dish, add 1/2 cup of pasta sauce and roll it around the bottom of the dish to coat.  Place chicken breasts on top of sauce in baking dish.  Top with remaining pasta sauce.  Layer chicken with mozzarella cheese, as much as you like.  Place chicken into preheat oven and bake for 12 minutes.
7. Turn oven to broil.  Cook chicken until cheese begins to bubble and get brown spots.
8. Remove chicken from oven and plate over pasta.  Top with torn basil leaves.

I highly recommend and big loaf of french bread to snack on while you cook and serve along with dinner.  So GOOD!!

Emeril's Essence

Ingredients:
1 1/2 tablespoons paprika
2 tablespoons salt
2 tablespoons garlic powder
1 tablespoon black pepper
1 tablespoon onion powder
1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
1 tablespoon dried oregano
1 tablespoon dried thyme

Mix everything together and store in a covered container.