Slammin' Jammin' Parmigiana

Total Time: 1 hr 35 mins Preparation Time: 20 mins Cook Time: 1 hr 15 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 4
• 4 (5 ounce) boneless skinless, fat trimmed chicken breasts
• 1/2 cup kosher salt
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 1/2 cups flour
• 2 eggs
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1 1/2 cups dried breadcrumbs
• 1 1/2 cups panko breadcrumbs
• 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/4 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley
• 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
• 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
• 1 lb fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced
• 1/4 lb parmigiano-reggiano cheese, plus extra for garnish, grated (or just parmesan)
• olive oil, for frying (about 2 cups)
• 1 lb penne rigate, cooked al dente
• 1/4 cup minced italian parsley, for garnish
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 yellow onion, minced
• 4 garlic cloves, crushed
• 6 cups roma tomatoes, peeled and diced (in a pinch, used canned)
• 1 tablespoon fresh basil leaf, thinly sliced
• 1/2 tablespoon fresh oregano leaves, chopped
• salt
• fresh ground black pepper

Recipe

• 1 lightly pound the chicken breasts to 1/2-inch thickness. combine the kosher salt, sugar, and 1 quart of water in a 1-gallon size resealable plastic bag; shake until dissolved. add the chicken breasts and soak at room temperature for 30 minutes.
• 2 place the flour in a medium bowl. remove the chicken from the brine. shake off excess moisture and, with tongs, lightly dredge the chicken in the flour. shake off the excess flour and transfer to a large plate.
• 3 mix the eggs and milk in medium bowl and whisk thoroughly. in a separate bowl combine the bread crumbs, oregano, basil, parsley, sea salt, and pepper. dredge the chicken in the egg and milk mixture with tongs and let excess mixture drain off. now dredge the chicken into the bread crumb mixture, and lightly pat down in the bread crumbs to adhere.
• 4 preheat the broiler.
• 5 let the breaded chicken sit for 5 minutes before frying. in a medium saucepan on medium-high heat, add enough olive oil to come 1/3 up the side of the chicken. cook the chicken in batches until golden brown on both sides. remove from the pan when cooked and place on a sheet tray. repeat with remaining chicken.
• 6 when all the chicken is cooked, sprinkle mozzarella and parmesan evenly over the top. place under the broiler until the cheese melts and is golden brown.
• 7 serve chicken over pasta and ladle tomato sauce on top. garnish with additional parmesan and parsley.
• 8 to make tomato sauce:.
• 9 heat the olive oil over medium heat in a saucepan. add the onions and cook until translucent. add the garlic and cook until almost brown, then add tomatoes. saute for 30 minutes over low to medium heat. add the basil and oregano and continue to cook for 30 minutes longer. puree in a food mill or let cool and puree in a food processor. season with salt and pepper, to taste.