Prep Time: 30 mins, Cook Time: 30 mins, Total Time: 60 mins, Makes: 4 pieces
This baked chicken vodka parmesan is a fun and lightened up twist on classic chicken parmesan. The baked chicken is crispy on the outside and tender in the center. Topped with the flavorful vodka sauce and mozzarella cheese, this recipe is a homerun.
Ingredients
Chicken
1 lbs. Smart Chicken boneless skinless breasts, butterflied and pounded thin
Breading Mixture
¼ cup panko breadcrumbs
¼ cup Italian breadcrumbs
¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon oregano
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
Egg Wash
1 egg, whisked
Vodka Sauce
2 tablespoons olive oil
½ – ¾ cup shallots, diced small
4 cloves garlic, left whole
¼ cup tomato paste
¼ cup vodka
1 cup water
1 cup crushed tomatoes, canned with juice
salt and pepper, to taste
red pepper flakes, to taste, but optional
¼ cup heavy cream
¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
Toppings
½ cup vodka sauce
¼ cup sliced mozzarella cheese
2 tablespoons Italian parsley, as garnish
Directions
Make the Vodka Sauce: In a large sauté pan, add the olive oil, shallots and garlic cloves. Sauté until the onions are translucent and fragrant, add the tomato paste. Stir well. Next, deglaze the pan with vodka. Be careful as it can create a flame.
Once the vodka begins to reduce, add the canned crushed tomato, water, salt, pepper and red pepper flakes. Stir well and simmer for a bit then remove the garlic cloves.
Next, add the heavy cream and grated parmesan cheese. Stir until the cheese is fully melted. This will make more sauce that what is needed. Use extra sauce on a pizza or pasta later in the week.
Make the Baked Chicken: Preheat the oven to 425°F. Slice your chicken breasts in half lengthwise. This technique is also known as butterflying. You’ll end up with 4 thin cutlets. Next, place the chicken in a bag and gently pound it. Pounding the chicken will make it more tender and allows it to cook more quickly and evenly.
Whisk an egg and brush the egg on both sides of the pounded chicken. Run the chicken through the breading mixture and place it on the prepared baking tray. Once all four pieces are on the tray, spray the top of the chicken with the olive oil cooking spray.
Bake for 18 minutes and flip the chicken. Bake for another 5 minutes or until the internal temperature reach 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Next, add 2 tablespoons of vodka sauce on top of each piece. Then, add thinly sliced mozzarella on top of each piece and place it back in the oven. Broil for 1-2 minutes until the sauce is heated and the cheese is melted.
Nutrition
serving: 1serving, calories: 246kcal, carbohydrates: 11g, protein: 31g, fat: 8g, saturated fat: 3g, polyunsaturated fat: 1g, monounsaturated fat: 2g, trans fat: 0.02g, cholesterol: 125mg, sodium: 865mg, potassium: 588mg, fiber: 1g, sugar: 2g, vitamin a: 515IU, vitamin c: 6mg, calcium: 135mg, iron: 2mg
More Delicious Recipes to Try
Easy Chicken Marsala
Baked Chicken Drumsticks
Crispy Chicken Tenders with Hot Honey Mustard
Appetizers | Entrees | Breakfast | Salads | Soups | Sausage Bone Broth | Nuggets and Tenders