Description
This Skillet Chicken Parmesan offers a rich and comforting Italian-inspired dinner featuring tender chicken breasts coated with crispy plant-based cheese and breadcrumbs, all cooked in one skillet with a vibrant natural tomato sauce thickened with a natural gelling agent. It’s quick, flavorful, family-friendly, and customizable for various dietary preferences.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Coating
- 2 boneless chicken breasts, pounded to even thickness
- 1 cup plant-based cheese, shredded
- 1 cup breadcrumbs (use gluten-free if desired)
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp dried oregano
Tomato Sauce (natural)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 1/2 cups natural tomato sauce (natural)
- 1 tsp dried basil or fresh basil, chopped
- 1 tsp dried oregano or fresh oregano, chopped
- 1/2 tsp natural gelling agent
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness for consistent cooking. Season them generously with salt, black pepper, and dried herbs to boost flavor from the start.
- Coat with Breadcrumbs and Cheese: Mix the plant-based cheese and breadcrumbs in a bowl. Dip each chicken breast into the mixture, pressing firmly to ensure the coating sticks well and forms a crispy crust.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the chicken for about 3-4 minutes per side until the coating turns golden and crunchy. Remove the chicken and set aside.
- Make the Tomato Sauce (natural): In the same skillet, sauté the minced garlic and chopped onions until fragrant and translucent. Pour in the natural tomato sauce, add herbs, and stir in the natural gelling agent to thicken slightly. Simmer gently for 5 minutes.
- Combine and Finish Cooking: Return the chicken to the skillet, spoon the tomato sauce over each piece. Cover the skillet and let it cook for another 7-10 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and the flavors meld perfectly.
Notes
- Ensure chicken breasts are pounded to even thickness to cook uniformly and retain juiciness.
- Press the coating mixture firmly onto the chicken for a crunchy texture.
- Use fresh herbs if available to enhance the flavor.
- Adjust the sauce thickness by varying the amount of natural gelling agent.
- Allow chicken to rest for a few minutes off the heat before serving for juicier results.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Skillet Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with sauce
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 40g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: chicken parmesan, plant-based cheese, skillet recipe, gluten-free, Italian dinner, tomato sauce natural
