Description
A simple and delicious Chicken Parmesan recipe featuring crispy breaded chicken breasts topped with a rich natural tomato sauce and melted plant-based cheese for a comforting and family-friendly meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, pounded thin (about 1/2 inch thickness)
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- Garlic powder, 1 tsp
- Onion powder, 1 tsp
- 1 cup plant-based cheese (such as mozzarella or parmesan style)
- Olive oil, for frying
Breading
- 1 cup bread crumbs (gluten-free if preferred)
- 1/2 cup egg replacement
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Tomato Sauce (natural)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups natural tomato sauce
- 1 tbsp vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural)
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped (+ extra for garnish)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Optional Variations
- Red pepper flakes, 1/4 tsp (for spicy kick)
- Dried oregano and thyme, 1 tsp each (for herb blend in breading)
- Sautéed mushrooms or spinach, 1/2 cup (folded into sauce)
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Trim the chicken breasts and pound them to an even thickness of about 1/2 inch. Season both sides evenly with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder to enhance the flavor.
- Bread the Chicken: Set up a breading station with egg replacement in one bowl and seasoned bread crumbs (including garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper) in another. Dip each chicken breast into the egg replacement, then coat thoroughly with bread crumbs, pressing gently to adhere.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Fry each breaded chicken breast for 3-4 minutes per side or until golden brown and crispy. Remove and drain on paper towels to remove excess oil.
- Make the Tomato Sauce (natural): In a saucepan, warm olive oil over medium heat. Sauté minced garlic until fragrant. Add natural tomato sauce, vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural), fresh basil, salt, and pepper. Simmer gently for 10-15 minutes to develop flavors and slightly thicken the sauce.
- Assemble and Bake: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Place fried chicken breasts in a baking dish. Spoon over generous amounts of the tomato sauce (natural). Sprinkle or layer plant-based cheese on top. Bake for about 15 minutes or until the plant-based cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish with fresh basil leaves for a bright herbal note. Serve immediately while hot and gooey.
Notes
- Pound chicken evenly to ensure uniform cooking.
- Fry chicken in batches to avoid overcrowding and maintain oil temperature.
- Use fresh basil and quality natural tomato sauce for the best flavor.
- Rest fried chicken on a wire rack to keep coating crisp.
- Watch the oven closely to melt cheese without drying out the chicken.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with sauce and cheese
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 36g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: Chicken Parmesan, plant-based cheese, natural tomato sauce, gluten-free, crispy chicken, vegetarian Worcestershire sauce
