Economical Dinner Party Recipe~Chicken Parmesan

Short notices from family or friends can cause me to rush around in frustration trying to find ways to entertain. Luckily this time I had more than 24 hours notice. Still...it's a daunting task to plan a small dinner party within a small time frame AND still keep it economical and easy. 

So how do you plan a fabulous dinner party on short notice and still remain in your weekly budget? First, you quickly raid your pantry and refrigerator for items on hand. Unfortunately, beyond baking items and staples, I'm not very savvy at keeping a stocked pantry. It's something I strive to improve. This time however, the news of impending guest struck at the right time. What I had...chicken breast, bread crumbs, tomato sauce, herbs, various shredded cheeses, pasta, and of course salad items. The results, delicious and easy Chicken Parmesan. 

This may not be a traditional Chicken Parmesan but its pretty awesome and received multitudes of raves reviews from our guest. I doubled this recipe for a party of 12.

*Note* I strive not to use prepackaged items, but in a bunch this is what I had on hand for quick dinner fixes in the pantry. Please substitute the jarred sauce for homemade if you will. 

Easy Chicken Parmesan

4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves

6 cups Italian bread crumbs

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

All-purpose flour, for dredging

5 large eggs

3 tablespoons milk

Oil  for frying (I used vegetable)

Olive oil

2 jars prepared Marinara Sauce, your preference

16 oz package of Italian shredded cheese

14 oz package of Mozzarella cheese, finely shredded

 

Cute each piece of chicken in half, then pound each chicken half between two sheets of plastic wrap until its approximately 1/3 inch thick. This helps cut back on messy counters and raw chicken spatters while tenderizing the chicken.

 

In a large bowl, combine salt, pepper and bread crumbs.

 

In a pie dish or large bowl whisk the eggs and milk. *I prefer to use a pie dish for this because it gives you more area room for the meat yet still contains the over spill.

 

Place flour in a plate (*pie dish).

 

Dredge a chicken breast in the flour and shake off any excess. Then dip the chicken piece into the egg/milk mixture and then dredge in the Italian breadcrumb mixture. Shake off any of the excess breading and place to a baking dish. Repeat with the remaining chicken.

In a large skillet, pour your frying oil until it is 1/2 of an inch deep. Heat over medium heat. Once the oil is heated (sprinkle a tiny drop of water into the oil, if the drop sizzles it is heated, if the oil pops turn down the heat). Fry two breast at a time until golden brown on both sides. Place on paper towels to drain off excess oil.

In a large baking dish, brushed with a small amount of olive oil, pour 1 jar of marinara sauce and cover the bottom of the baking dish. Arrange chicken over the sauce, side by side making sure not to overlap. Sprinkle the Italian shredded cheese over the chicken. The cover with remaining jar of sauce. Bake in a 375 degree oven for 45 minutes or until your sauce is bubbly. Remove from oven and sprinkle your mozzarella cheese on top. Place back into the oven just enough for the cheese to melt and slightly brown.

Serve with your favorite pasta, bread sticks and salad.

New Beginnings

The kids have been in bed since 12:15. We had a wonderful evening playing board games, eating finger foods, baking cookies and just enjoying each others company. Mark said a new word this evening. I asked him if he wanted to make cookies and he ran to the oven and said "Good Good Good". He learns quickly. 

It's now 1:30 and I have a second wind. Maybe with the kids ringing in the new year they may sleep a little later in the morning. Some how I highly doubt that, but I can dream. 

I sit here, wide awake thinking of what this new year will bring. I want it to be a fresh start for us as a family. Not that I'm not proud of our past accomplishments, but I'm looking forward to the steps we are taking in a new direction. I don't believe in resolutions, but I do in new beginnings.

In the year of 2009, my husband and I will lead our family on a closer walk with the Lord. We will keep our home prosperous, full of warmth, comfort, and secure for our children. Build stronger bonds with each child individually all the while focusing on family unity. 

I will keep constant in my role as my husbands wife. I will follow his lead and be his support. I will hold fast to feminine ways. 

For 2009, my goals are to transition our home into a greener, more frugal, and natural sanctuary. With this I will cut our processed food purchases even more.  Starting my own organic vegetable garden and teaching myself the process of canning. 

This year I will also let go of old friendships that are no longer healthy or support my faith, values, and transitions, but will continue to encourage them and pray for their well being. I will build stronger more fruitful relationships with those that hold constant to loyalty, responsibility, truthfulness, and humor. 

Also in 2009, I want to stop being such an adult. I'm going to jump in the leaves, remember the taste of honeysuckle, climb a tree, run bare foot in the grass, make a mud pie, and I will remember that the world will not explode if the dishes wait 10 minutes, if the kids eat peanut butter for breakfast, and that spilt milk does not burn a hole in counters or floors. I will remember to breath...remember to laugh...remember to love harder, and know that my family will love me all the more for it.