Chicken Parmesan Bake

This is one of my favorite dishes  I think it is a popular dish, that lots of people love, but don't always feel like dealing with the whole process.  Well, I am happy to tell you I took the process out of it. 

Ok, I can't take ALL of the credit, my sister has a friend who has a friend who told her about this recipe.  I, as usual made some of my own modifications but, it will taste very much the same no matter how you do it   Originally I think the breasts were left whole, which just seemed like so much work.  If this was going to be an easy version, then it should already be cut up.  Right?  Wow, that sounded so very lazy of me.  The breasts I was working with (teehee) were huge (teehee again) and while I would use as many breasts as you have people, I used only 3 of these monsters.  Sorry, my maturity level is at an all time low lately.  Blame it on the grand littles.  HA!

You can use store bought sauce, or use your own.  We aren't having that battle tonight, I have been to busy, and don't have the strength.  I actually just laughed at that comment.  I used store bought jarred sauce for this recipe.  I could have made homemade croutons but, duh, this is supposed to be the easy version of chicken parmesan. 

Serve this over any pasta you like, I served it with rotini, and loved it.  In fact, I loved this so much, I might make it every week all summer because, I just like it that much.   Alright, that might have been a bit dramatic but I will be making this often. 

Oh wait did I mention the oven decided to stop working about 15 min after I put this in?  Yea, well, it will be fixed up soon, and I don't think 3 hours to wait was THAT long.  Do you?  HA!  Hopefully your oven isn't moody, and it will take the real amount of time!

You will need
3-4 chicken breasts, boneless skinless, cut into cubes
2 T. olive oil
1 T. onion powder
1 tsp. salt
2 tsp. dried Italian seasoning
1 jar of marinara (omg I can't remember the ounces)
1 can of tomato soup
1 T. sugar
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1 cup parmesan cheese
1, 5oz bag of seasoned (garlic) croutons
Extra dried Italian seasoning

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.  Place chicken cubes into the bottom of a 9x13 baking dish.  Add olive oil, onion powder, salt, and Italian seasoning.  Toss the chicken to get everything seasoned up! In a bowl mix together marinara, tomato soup and sugar.  Pour over your chicken!

Now sprinkle liberally with your mozzarella cheese  Make sure to get the corners!  Don't let the corner people out!  Now top with your croutons  You could use the double the amount but trust me when I tell you this is enough even thought it may seem like it isn't.

I think this pic is upside down  Oh well, let's go with it, to change things up!


Now cover the top with parmesan cheese!  Then sprinkle on more Italian seasoning, a lot or a little the choice is yours, I did a LOT!

Now, bake this bad baby for 35-50 minutes  I know that is a large range of time but it just depends on how big your chunks of chicken are.  As soon as you are certain they are done, this is ready to eat!  If the top gets a bit, or starts to get a bit brown cover with foil for the duration of baking.  I personally am all about those really brown cheese bits.  Oh yea!

Serve with pasta of your choice or eat it alone!

ENJOY

Garlic Parmesan Croutons

Salad, glorious salad!  Regardless of if you prefer, iceberg, bib, romaine, dandelion, spinach, or wild greens, it is the season for a refreshing, crispy salad!  And every great salad deserves a great crouton as its crowning glory!

How many of you buy croutons?  Are you the same ones who throw out stale old bread?  Well, your day has arrived.  You paid for that bread, now USE it!  Why buy store bought croutons when you have all the making for the best croutons you have ever eaten at home?  Personally I am a fan of the crouton, some people are not.  I think it is like eating the best piece of garlic bread, crusty and crunchy  with your salad, only you don't have to put one down to eat the other, you can do it at once! I love little else better than a salad full of fresh veggies, and some boiled eggs.  Add a little grilled chicken and I am over the moon!

These croutons are easy and delicious.  DO NOT feel like you have to go buy french bread.  I used plain bread kids, stale bread that would have otherwise become breadcrumbs in the freezer.  French bread gives you a fabulous result but, heck, so do hamburger buns.  Use whatever bread you have on hand!  They will go rather quickly, so make sure to keep on eye on them and even give them a flip or toss if you like halfway through cooking. 

3-4 slices of french bread, 1 inch thick and cut into cubes

5 tbsp butter

1 ½ tsp garlic powder

1 tsp dried Italian seasoning

½ tsp onion powder

2 tbsp finely grated Parmesan cheese

Preheat oven to 375. Get out a cookie sheet and set aside. Put cubed bread into a large bowl. In a microwave safe bowl, melt your butter, add seasonings, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and onion powder. Stir to combine. Pour over the bread cubes and toss until all the cubes are coated well. Spread onto a cookie sheet in a single layer and sprinkle over your Parmesan cheese.  Bake for 15-20 minutes. Check often to make sure they aren't burning!! Let cool completely and serve!

 

Your "no green rings around my hardboiled eggs yolks please"chefwannabe