Sometimes I like to prepare and elaborate meal consisting of multiple courses or one that is accompanied by numerous side dishes. However, there are those occasions where I just want to throw some ingredients together and, presto, have a complete meal. I use the following recipe whenever I am in a time crunch or just down-right lazy. The famous French chef Julia Child once said that preparing Italian food isn't cooking. This is precisely why I rely on this recipe. Now, I know those who have Italian lineage may scoff at this version of one of their time-tested, famous recipes. In fact, the ingredients are entirely American in nature.
The hands on time required for this recipe is very minimal. The dish basically cooks itself in the oven. If you can brown some chicken and turn your oven on 350 degrees F, then you can't screw up.
Ingredients:
4 boneless, chicken breasts
1 egg
1/2 cup milk
1 cup Italian seasoned bread crumbs
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 jar (16 oz, or so) spaghetti sauce
Shredded mozzarella cheese
Shredded Italian cheese blend
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Pound the chicken breasts to 1/2 inch thickness. Next whisk the egg and milk in a vessel of your choice (I use these fancy trays I purchased from Pampered Chef http://www.pamperedchef.com/ordering/prod_details.tpc?prodId=16629&words=tray). Then dip the chicken breasts into this mixture. Coat the breasts with bread crumbs.
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Brown the chicken in the hot oil on both sides until golden, about 4 minutes. Do not cook fully cook the chicken. Next, place the chicken breasts in a baking dish (I use a glass 9 x 13). Sprinkle some mozzarella cheese (Jesse makes me buy Kraft with added Cream Cheese) on the chicken breasts (enough to cover them, to taste). Then, pour the jar of spaghetti sauce (I use Classico Sauces) over the breasts and cheese. Finally, sprinkle some of the Italian cheese blend on top, enough to coat. Place the dish in the oven and bake for 30 minutes.
Now, all you have to do is cook some pasta to accompany the dish, bake some frozen garlic bread and open a bag of salad. Dinner is prepared and served in 45 minutes or less!
I hope you enjoy this super easy recipe. Be on the lookout soon for an entire series focusing on caring for the home which includes members of the canine family! Until then, have a Great Southern Day!
