Italian Chicken

Shorty's grandma is 100% full blooded Italian.

So, needless to say....he loves Italian food. As do most men.

When looking for healthy recipes...I look for ones that are normally fattening "comfort foods"that are just "lightened" up.

I made Chicken Parmesan. Have made it both ways...the really fattening way...and they healthy way. Sharing the healthy one with you of course. I got this from Cooking light...I changed it up a little...so here is how I whipped it up.

Serves 4

4 Chicken Breasts - butterflied or cut in half

3/4 Cup plain or Italian bread crumbs (add Italian seasoning to plain ones)

2 egg whites lightly beaten

3 TBS olive oil

1/2 cup flour

1 tsp dried Italian seasoning

1/4 tsp salt

1 jar tomato basil pasta sauce (I used Barilla)

Cooking spray

Grated Parmesan cheese

1 package of low fat skim Mozzarella cheese

*Preheat oven to 450

*Butterfly or slice chicken breasts in half...to allow quicker cooking.

*Mix flour, Italian seasoning, and salt in shallow dish

*Place egg whites slightly beaten in a shallow dish

*Put bread crumbs in another shallow dish.

*Dredge each chicken breast in flour mixture, followed by egg whites, then finished with bread crumbs. Repeat with remaining chicken.

*Heat 2 TBS of olive oil in a large oven proof skillet over medium high. Careful not to scorch oil.

*Saute chicken for 2 minutes on each side. Will form a nice brown crust. May have to do it in batches. Careful not to crowd chicken in pan. Use remaining oil if pan becomes too dry

*Once all chicken is done on stove top, lightly spray it with cooking spray.

*Put it in oven proof skillet or baking dish. Cook 5 minutes, turn chicken, and cook another 2 minutes.

*Remove from oven. Place 3 TBS of sauce on top of each chicken, followed by 1 oz of Parmesan cheese then 3 ounces of Mozzarella on each chicken. Return to oven at 450 and bake for 6 more minutes...or until chicken is done.

Can be served with pasta...use remaining sauce from jar for pasta (yes, jar sauce is the only way to go. Unless I was Italian...and that, I am not.) I will leave that to the full blooded Italians...they know what they are doing.

An easy crisp green salad....or serve the cutlets on wheat sub rolls.

There you go. A healthy twist on something not known to be a healthy meal.

If you make it...let me know if you enjoyed it!

Yum!