Betty's Choice Chicken Parmesan

parmesan cheese

🥗Healthier: nutritional yeast

💰Cheaper: grated pecorino

Nutritional yeast provides a cheesy flavor with fewer calories.

mozzarella cheese

🥗Healthier: part-skim mozzarella

💰Cheaper: provolone cheese

Part-skim mozzarella reduces fat while maintaining texture.

bread crumbs

🥗Healthier: whole wheat bread crumbs

💰Cheaper: crushed crackers

Whole wheat adds fiber; crushed crackers are often cheaper.

olive oil

🥗Healthier: avocado oil

💰Cheaper: vegetable oil

Avocado oil has a higher smoke point; vegetable oil is usually less expensive.

Place a generous amount of water in a large pot, leaving at least 1 inch at the top. Bring to a boil and add 1 teaspoon salt.

Add ½ pound spaghetti and boil, stirring occasionally, until spaghetti is al dente. Drain spaghetti and place on a platter. Cover spaghetti with aluminum foil to keep it warm.

Prepare the 4 chicken halves by pounding them with a meat mallet until about 1/2 inch thick.

Place 1/3 cup flour in a shallow dish and set aside.

In a small mixing bowl, beat 1 egg until it is well beaten and set aside.

Combine ½ cup Italian breadcrumbs and ¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese in a shallow dish and set aside.

Dredge 1 chicken breast half in the flour. Dip it in the beaten egg and dredge it in the Parmesan-breadcrumb mixture. Place on a platter and repeat the process with the other 3 chicken breast halves.

Heat 3 tablespoons peanut oil in a large heavy skillet. Add the 4 pieces of breaded chicken and cook 3 to 4 minutes on each side, or until done.

Uncover the cooked spaghetti and transfer it to a 9-inch by 13-inch by 2-inch baking dish, which has been sprayed with cooking oil spray. Arrange the spaghetti into an even layer.

Pour 2 cups Italian sauce over the top of the spaghetti and spread until smooth.

Place the 4 cooked chicken half breasts on top of the spaghetti and sauce. Pour 1 additional cup of Italian sauce over the top of the chicken breasts and smooth it out.

Sprinkle the entire casserole with 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese.

Place casserole in oven that has been preheated to 350 degrees (F), and turn the oven to 'broil.' Broil 4 or 5 minutes, or until cheese melts and begins to brown.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens