Chicken Parmesan

A very tasty chicken & pasta recipe... one of my very favorites... Goes well with broccoli. (A large glass of milk is also recommended for the acid challenged.) Chicken may be served to the side of the pasta, or on top with sauce poured over, your choice.

Ingredients:
***CHICKEN***
2 Large Chicken Breasts
1 Large Egg
1 Cup Dried Italian Seasoned Bread Crumbs
1/4 Cup Extra-Virgin Olive Oil
3/4 Cup Grated Mozzarella Cheese
1/4 Cup Grated Parmesan Cheese
8 Ounces Linguine

***MARINARA SAUCE***
2 Garlic Cloves, Minced
2 Tlbs Extra-Virgin Olive Oil
1 28oz Can Crushed Tomato
1/2 Teaspoon Dried Basil
1/4 Teaspoon Dried Oregano
1/4 Teaspoon Sugar
(1 small can mushrooms drained--optional)

Directions:
**Double or Triple the Recipe for Serving Size Needed**

1. PASTA ~Put pot of water on stove and bring to a boil while preparing other ingredients.
2. CHICKEN ~Pound chicken to a 1/4 inch thickness. Beat egg in shallow dish. Put bread crumbs in another shallow dish. Dip both sides of each chicken in egg solution, then bread crumbs. Set aside breaded cutlets on large wire rack that is set over a jelly-roll pan.
3. SAUCE ~Heat oil & garlic until it starts to sizzle. Stir in tomatos, basil, oregano & sugar. Salt/Pepper to taste. Let simmer 10-12 minutes.
4. PASTA ~Put linguine in boiling water as sauce begins to simmer.
5. CHICKEN(fried) ~Do this step as pasta cooks and sauce simmers. Heat oil in a medium sized frying pan over a medium high heat. When oil is heated sufficiently, put in chicken, one piece at a time and saute each side until golden brown and chicken is cooked thoroughly (cut it to be certain), remove and place back on wire rack. It will take 6 minutes or so per piece depending on the thickness of chicken.
6. CHICKEN (Baked) This is an alternative to frying the chicken. It is faster and Healthier. Prepare as above, place breaded chicken on a tin-foil lined cookie sheet and bake at 400 degrees for about 20 min.
Once all chicken has been fried or baked, sprinkle on the mozzarella cheese, then the parmesean cheese. Place pan & rack into the oven about 5 inches from the broiler. Cook until cheese is melted and begins to have a hint of brown. About 3 minutes will do.