COPYCAT LONGHORN STEAKHOUSE PARMESAN CRUSTED CHICKEN with HOMEMADE MARINARA over PASTA ~ BLOG 365.301

COPYCAT LONGHORN STEAKHOUSE PARMESAN CRUSTED CHICKEN with HOMEMADE MARINARA over MASHED POTATOES

Take this juicy marinaded Parmesan crusted chicken, add some homemade marinara and serve it over mashed potatoes or pasta for the PERFECT mouth watering meal.

4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper, to taste
3 tablespoons avocado oil
2 cups Marinara sauce OR Sunday Gravy
1/3 cup FINELY grated Parmesan cheese

MARINADE (see note)
1/3 cup avocado oil
1/3 cup QUALITY ranch dressing
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon white vinegar
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 clove garlic, minced
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper, to taste

  • Whisk all marinade ingredients together until well-combined and uniform in consistency.
  • Use a meat tenderizer to pound chicken to about 1/2 inch thick. Note: It will plump up more when cooked.
  • Sprinkle each side of the chicken lightly with salt and pepper if desired.
  • Add the chicken to a large freezer bag and add the marinade. Seal out the air and refrigerate for a minimum of 30 minutes, or overnight.
  • Heat 2-3 tablespoons of the avocado oil in a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat.
  • Sear the chicken on each side for 4-5 minutes. Don’t move the chicken around much as it sizzles so it will  get a nice golden color.
  • Transfer the chicken to a plate and tent with foil to keep it warm.

PARMESAN CRUST
1/2 cup coarse grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup coarse grated Provolone cheese
6 tablespoons QUALITY Buttermilk Ranch dressing
4 tablespoons melted butter
3/4 cup Panko breadcrumbs
2 tablespoons powdered Parmesan cheese

2 teaspoons garlic powder

  • Preheat the oven to a low broil – 450°
  • Combine Parmesan, Provolone, and ranch dressing, stirring to combine.
  • Microwave in 15 seconds increments, stirring in between, until melted.
  • Spread it over the top of the chicken.
  • 
Combine the melted butter, garlic powder, powdered Parmesan and panko breadcrumbs and spoon it on top of the cheese.
  • 
Broil for 3-4 minutes until the top begins to brown slightly. WATCH CLOSELY TO PREVENT BURNING!
  • Serve over mashed potatoes or pasta.
  • Spoon warm marinara over top.
  • Garnish with Parmesan cheese.


NOTE: You can shortcut the marinade by using Italian Salad Dressing.

PAPRIKA CORN
3 tablespoons butter
1 LARGE bag frozen corn, thawed and drained
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper
1-2 tablespoons QUALITY smoked paprika

  • Melt butter in large skillet over medium high heat.
  • Add corn and season with FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper.
  • Sprinkle with Paprika to taste.
  • Cook 5-10 minutes, stirring regularly until heated through.

CHICKEN PARMESAN LASAGNA ~ BLOG 365.63

CHICKEN PARMESAN LASAGNA 10 servings

You can have Chicken Parmesan with a side of pasta or you can do the fun things and and make it all together!

3 chicken breasts
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper
1 cup AP flour
5 LARGE eggs
2 cups Italian bread crumbs
oil, for frying
2 cups ricotta cheese (FULL fat)
3 cups marinara sauce
8 lasagna noodles
1 ½ cups shredded Mozzarella cheese
1 ½ cups shredded Parmesan cheese
FRESH chopped basil, to garnish

  • Cut chicken breasts in half so you have 6 pieces, pounding thin if necessary.
  • Generously season with salt and pepper.

 

  • Make a dredging station:
    1) flour
    2) 4 of the eggs beaten together
    3) bread crumbs
    Coat the chicken in the flour, then the eggs, and finally in the bread crumbs.

 

  • Heat the vegetable oil in a cast iron skillet over medium heat.
  • Fry the chicken 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown. Let drain on paper towels.
  • In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta cheese and the remaining egg.
  • Preheat the oven to 350°.
  • Spread ⅓ of the marinara sauce over the bottom of baking dish.
  • Top with 4 lasagna noodles, ½ of the ricotta mixture, and 3 chicken cutlets.
  • Sprinkle with ½ cup of mozzarella and ½ cup of Parmesan cheese.
  • Repeat to make another layer.
  • Finish with the remaining sauce and mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses.
  • Cover with foil and bake for 45-60 minutes. Uncover the lasagna during the last 10 minutes of baking.
  • Serve with a sprinkle of fresh basil.

SPAGHETTI with RICOTTA MEATBALLS & PECORINO GARLIC BREAD

In my humble opinion (especially now that bread is a rarity in my diet) a “dressed” garlic bread is the ONLY way to go! The strong penetrating flavor of the  Pecorino cheese in the garlic bread as well as the meatballs raises your normal spaghetti to a NEW level.

 

SPAGHETTI with RICOTTA MEATBALLS & PECORINO GARLIC BREAD – serves 2

2 tablespoons Pecorino cheese
2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons chopped FRESH Parsley, minced
2 tablespoons chopped FRESH Basil leaves, chopped
3 Garlic Cloves, minced and divide in thirds
3/4 pound LEAN ground beef
2 tablespoons Ricotta cheese
¼ cup Italian Breadcrumbs
1/3 pound spaghetti noodles
1 cup of your favorite marinara sauce
Avocado oil
Fresh ground salt and pepper, to taste
1 French Roll

  • Preheat oven to 375°.
  • Bring a medium pot of salted water to a FULL boil.
  • Prepare a small baking sheet with foil
.

 

  • Mix together the ground beef, ricotta cheese, parsley, 1/3 of the garlic, pepper and 1 tablespoon of the Pecorino cheese with your hands until well blended.
  • Shape meat into ping pong sized meatballs.

 

  • Heat avocado oil in a medium skillet over medium high heat.
  • Add meatballs to hot oil stirring occasionally until browned ALL over, 6-9 minutes.
  • Set aside.

 

  • While meatballs are cooking cook spaghetti in salted boiling water until al dente, 8-10 minutes.
  • Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water.
  • Drain pasta. Toss with oil.

 

  • In a small mixing bowl combine 1 tablespoon of Pecorino cheese and 1 tablespoon avocado oil together into a paste.
  • Stir in 1/3 of the garlic.
  • Place bread on lightly greased baking sheet.
  • Spread paste over bread and bake until golden brown.
  • Top with sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.

 

  • In a medium sauce pan combine marinara, a pinch of salt and reserved pasta water. Bring to a boil.
  • Return meatball pan to a medium heat. Add remaining garlic, cooking until fragrant.
  • Reduce heat to a simmer, stirring occasionally until meatballs are warmed through, 8 minutes or so.
  • Plate and serve immediately.

Linking up to FULL Plate Thursday.