Well Ben’s sick. Fever, aches, pains – the whole nine. He says this kind of stuff is going around the office right now, which is probably where he picked it up. Good times in cube land!
Unfortunately my nurturing bedside manner is somewhat lacking, but I tried really hard this morning to cheerfully setup a tv tray next to Ben’s side of the bed then stock it with all the I’m sick essentials including a 44oz cup of water with a long straw, his book, crackers, the promise of a cold grapefruit La Croix in 1-2 hours, and his computer, which he requested be placed on the other side of the bed, lest he knock over his 44oz water and well, ruin everything.
Fortunately I love to nurse him back to health with cozy comfort foods made healthy, which makes up for my tough-love ‘tude, me thinks. Here’s hoping Skillet Chicken Parmesan does the trick!
As quick as it is mmm-mmm good, Skillet Chicken Parmesan slashes the time, effort, and calories from traditional breaded and fried Chicken Parmesan, and turns it into a comforting, healthful weeknight supper that’s made in 1 skillet, and ready in 30 minutes. I am obsessed. And so is the sick man.
Ok, ok, let’s address the elephant in the room: THE CHEESE. Since we’re eliminating the breading and frying of chicken cutlets in traditional Chicken Parmesan, I decided to keep a couple thin slices of ooey-gooey fresh mozzarella cheese to broil on top of the chicken breasts after they cook in simmering marinara sauce. This stuff’s got to fix the flu, afterall! ;)
Start the Skillet Chicken Parmesan by cutting 2 large chicken breasts in half, then brushing both sides with extra virgin olive oil and seasoning with salt and pepper. I’ve said it once, and I’ll say it again, brushing chicken with olive oil before sauteing makes for the tastiest chicken on the block!
Saute the chicken in a large, non-stick sprayed skillet over medium-high heat for 2-3 minutes a side, then remove to a plate, turn the heat down to medium, and remove the skillet from the burner.
You don’t need to cook the chicken all the way through, btw, just get ’em nice and golden brown on the outside.
Next, break out the stahhh of the skillet – marinara sauce. Slightly spicy, locally-made Gino’s is my go-to, but I also really like Giada De Laurentiis’ line of sauces, which you can get at Target.
Once the skillet has cooled off the heat for 1 minute, carefully pour in 2 cups marinara sauce. Marinara sauce will splatter and spit when poured into a super hot skillet, which is why it’s important to let it cool a bit before adding the sauce.
To the marinara sauce add 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese, and 1/2 teaspoon dried basil.
Stir the sauce together, then place the skillet back on the burner over medium heat.
Nestle the chicken breast halves in the sauce, then place a lid on top and cook for 10 minutes, or until the chicken is no longer pink in the center.
Turn off the heat and remove the skillet from the burner, then place 1oz sliced mozzarella cheese on top of each chicken breast, and broil until golden brown.
Whee!
Nestle each mozzarella-covered chicken breast over a bed of cooked gluten-free ziti (or whatever you’ve got on hand) then spoon over a scoop of the cheesy, seasoned marinara sauce. Dinner is served!
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Skillet Chicken Parmesan
Description
Skillet Chicken Parmesan is a comforting weeknight supper made in 1 skillet, and ready in 30 minutes.
Ingredients
- 2 large chicken breasts, cut in half
- extra virgin olive oil
- salt & pepper
- 16oz marinara sauce
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 4oz fresh mozzarella slices
- 8oz ziti (or your favorite pasta)
Directions
- Brush chicken breasts with oil then season on both sides with salt & pepper. Heat a large, oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat, then spray with nonstick spray. Add chicken and cook for 2-3 minutes a side, or until golden brown (do not cook all the way through.) Remove to a plate.
- Turn heat down to medium, then remove skillet from burner and let cool for 1 minute. Add marinara sauce (use caution, as sauce may splatter a bit,) parmesan cheese, and dried basil to skillet then stir to combine. Nestle chicken halves into sauce mixture then return skillet to heat, place a lid on top, and cook for 10 minutes, or until chicken is cooked all the way through.
- Heat a large pot of water then season with salt and add pasta. Cook until al dente then drain and set aside.
- Remove skillet from heat then top chicken with sliced mozzarella and broil until golden brown and bubbly.
This recipe is courtesy of Iowa Girl Eats, http://iowagirleats.com.
You will not believe how tender and juicy the chicken stays from cooking in the marinara sauce, which totally eliminates the need for cooking in extra fat, by the way!
Serve the saucy, cheesy chicken over a bed of your favorite cooked pasta. This is a total pantry supper, so just use whatever you’ve got on hand.
I served our Skillet Chicken Parmesan with a nice side salad of baby spinach, carrots, and celery, and a few slices of Garlic Bread that I broiled alongside the skillet in the oven. It’s just Tomato Basil bread misted with olive oil then sprinkled with garlic salt and broiled until golden brown. One of Ben’s faves! :)
Here’s hoping he pulls through! ;)
Weekly Weigh In Week 4 | Workin' It For Real 10.03.2013
[…] Mon: Skinny Skillet Chicken Parmesean https://iowagirleats.com/2012/10/15/skillet-chicken-parmesan/ […]
Skinny Skillet Chicken Parm | The Funky Olive 04.09.2013
[…] So, on to how to make this chicken. It will serve 3, maybe 2 people if you’re ravenous. And the whole meal clocks in at 12 points plus on the new Weight Watchers system. Damn cheese! I adapted this recipe from a version on Iowa Girl Eats. […]
Merissa 03.15.2013
I am in the process of making this recipe! Looks (and smells) delicious!! I can’t wait to eat it! Thanks for the easy recipe!
Pinterest Overload: Skillet Chicken Parmesan | Krystal cooks. 02.27.2013
[…] Skillet Chicken Parmesan […]
The Pinning Mama | Menu Planning Monday | The Pinning Mama 02.10.2013
[…] it still just spells romance. That is why I am so excited to try this Skillet Chicken Parmesanfrom Iowa Girl Eats. It is a lightened up version of the classic Italian dish and the colors and flavors just seem […]
Kimber 02.10.2013
This looks amazing! And I love how you lightened it up. The colors will make it a perfect valentines day meal.
Lisa 02.06.2013
This is on the menu for sure this week! Love it, simple and yummy!
Weekend update: 11/11/12 | running4cupcakes 11.11.2012
[…] play time in the evening followed by chicken parmesan leftovers – made from this recipe from Iowa Girl […]
Sadye 11.06.2012
This was SO easy. I skipped the mozzarella because I didn’t have any on hand, and it was still good!
Molly 11.05.2012
Just made this and loooooved it. Haven’t made/had chicken parm in a while and this was a great way to make it! :)
Barbara 11.03.2012
I finally just made this, although its been on my list since you posted it. OMG this is the best chicken parm Ive ever made! I can not believe how delicious it was and I had to come post this comment right away!
Iowa Girl Eats 11.05.2012
So glad you enjoyed!!
Five Things Friday | Chelcie's Food Files 10.26.2012
[…] pinned Iowa Girl Eats Skillet chicken parmesan recently and decided it would be the perfect quick and easy meal. Served with spaghetti squash and […]
ae 10.24.2012
I know I can pin, tweet, and print recipes– but is there an email option I’m missing? Would love to have it ready on my phone [I’m lazy] for when I pick up ingredients! Love your recipes!
Iowa Girl Eats 10.24.2012
Hi there! If you click on “Print this recipe!” there’s an email option under the picture. Let me know if you have any problems finding it!
Angela 10.22.2012
Sorry, meant to write KRISTIN. :-)
Angela 10.22.2012
Kristen, I LOVE your blog. You are one of the only bloggers who makes me want to try EVERY recipe! I recently made the pasta fagioli and it was a huge hit!
I wanted to make a suggestion that you add metadata for your images. I keep recipes organized via Pinterest, and when I go to pin your recipes, your images are named things like photo456 or whatever. In this post, the image was named HealthyChickenSkilletParmesan. Whatever you add as the description for your photo will show up as the default Pinterest text, so it’s a great way to suggest what people write when they pin AND drive more traffic to your blog. You could name all your photos in this post, for example, “Healthy Chicken Skillet Parmesan from Iowa Girl Eats. Easy and quick!” and that’s the text almost everyone would use for Pinterest. It would save your readers time and describe your recipes in the language you’d like them described in.
Thanks for reading my suggestion. Keep up the great work!
Skillet chicken parm « Living life as I know how 10.22.2012
[…] in cheese and sauce. Served with pasta, and probably a nice slice of garlic bread. The skillet chicken parmesan I made on Friday was definitely not any of that, but it still was oh so good. I liked how it […]
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[…] spaghetti squash and skillet chicken parmesan […]
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[…] 10/23 ~ I love Chicken Parm and this Skillet Chicken Parm from Iowa Girl Eats is a fun, healthier version of the […]
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[…] Monday- a healthier take on chicken parm. […]
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[…] tonight with C is skillet chicken parmesan. I’ll be using C’s homemade pasta sauce for it. I’m looking forward to this […]