Recipes

Not So Guilty Chicken Parmesan

In my quest to eat healthier, there are certain things I can’t live without. Chicken Parmesan is on the list. I love chicken Parmesan, shrimp Parmesan, eggplant Parmesan, Parmesan cheese on its own. You name it; I love it! Parmesan cheese is one of the less sinful cheeses if like me you just have to have your cheese. Over the weekend I was craving Chicken Parmesan. I wanted it but I didn’t want the guilt that goes along with it so I made some simple changes. Here they are:

1. Make your own sauce.

2. Grill your chicken.

3. Measure your cheese.

I’m not going to bore you with the details of why these three changes make such a big difference. Just think: homemade sauce is always healthier, no breading or deep-frying and measuring cheese means you won’t use the whole block even though you really want to.  With these simple changes, there was no compromise on the taste either.

Chicken Parmesan

Chicken Parmesan
Tools: Chef’s Knife Cutting Boards (red, green) Indoor or outdoor grill Sauce Pan
Ingredients
  • Sauce:
  • 1 can diced organic tomatoes
  • 2 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 3 cloves of garlic, minced
  • 1 medium onion, small diced
  • 1/2 rib of celery, small diced
  • 1/2 cup water
  • splash of Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 teaspoons oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • Grilled Chicken:
  • 4 chicken breast
  • 1/2 cup fresh parmesan cheese, grated
  • 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
  • 2 tablespoon olive oil, divided
  • 1 tablespoon dried thyme
  • salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
  1. Pre-heat oven on broil setting.
  2. Pre-heat grill.
  3. Cut each chicken breast in half, length wise. Repeat the process until you have 8 pieces.
  4. Season with thyme, salt and pepper
  5. Rub with 1 tablespoon of olive oil.
  6. Refrigerate
  7. Heat olive oil. Add onions and celery cooking until onions are fragrant.
  8. Add all dry seasons and garlic. Cook until garlic is just fragrant.
  9. Add tomatoes, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce and water.
  10. Reduce heat and let sauce simmer for 10-25 minutes.
  11. Taste and adjust seasoning.
  12. Remove from heat and cover.
  13. Remove chicken from fridge.
  14. Once grill is warm, coat with a tablespoon of olive oil.
  15. Add chicken breast and grill for 5 minutes per side or until cooked through.
  16. Transfer cooked chicken breast to broiler safe dish.
  17. Cover with sauce, parmesan and mozzarella cheese.
  18. Place in broiler for 5 minutes or until cheese is melted, just browned and bubbling.
Notes
Serve with whole grain pasta and grilled veggies. [br]Pairs well with a light merlot for my red lovers or a crisp pinot grigio for white lovers.

Give this chicken parmesan recipe a try and let me know how you like it.

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2 Comments

  • Reply
    Ashley
    April 2, 2014 at 12:58 AM

    This looks really delicious! I need to try it out!

    • Reply
      M J
      April 2, 2014 at 7:06 PM

      You know I struggle with food so I am really trying to make healthier versions for all the things I love. You are a foodie so I know you will enjoy this dish. Let me know how it turns out.

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