20-Minute Chicken & Spinach Parmesan

This quick version of chicken parmesan is perfect for any weeknight supper - and it has the added bonus of spinach!

I think it's really interesting how many foods that I did not like as a child are ones I enjoy as an adult because I have made them myself. A lot of foods I had as a child were premade/frozen foods and even now...those really just aren't the best quality food. Homemade is better. I never like chicken parmesan as a child and that is most likely due to the fact that I had frozen tv dinner chicken parmesan which consisted of soggy breading, too tomato-ey sauce, and chicken that didn't really taste like real meat. This chicken parmesan is, of course, worlds better and I love the addition of spinach in it. I also love how quick it is!

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What you need:

• 2 lb. chicken breasts, sliced in half lengthwise to make thinner breasts
• Salt and pepper
• 1 cup Panko bread crumbs
• 1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
• 4 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil 
• 1 1/2 cups pasta sauce
• 2 cups baby spinach, chopped
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella 
• Cooked pasta, if desired

Directions:

1. Season chicken on both sides with salt and pepper. In a shallow plate, combine Panko and Parmesan cheese. 
2. Press the chicken gently into the Panko mixture on both sides to coat.
3. In a large, oven-safe skillet, heat 2 to 3 Tbsp. olive oil over medium-high heat.
4. Cook chicken in oil until golden brown on both sides and cooked through. Don't overcrowd the pan and do in batches if necessary.
5. Remove chicken from skillet and remove oil if needed. Pour pasta sauce onto the bottom of the skillet then gently lay the chicken on top of the pasta sauce.
6. Top each piece of chicken with a few tablespoons of pasta sauce, chopped spinach, and a few tablespoons of mozzarella.
7. Place under the broiler for 2 to 4 minutes until the cheese has turned golden brown.
8. Serve over pasta, if desired.

Recipe from Mom on Timeout

If you would like to make something without tomato-based sauce, you must check out this Crispy Parmesan Crusted Chicken from Closet Cooking. It looks incredible! This Carrabba's Copycat Chicken Bryan is insane - it's chicken with a grill seasoning, grill baste, and a killer lemon butter sauce.