Chicken Parmesan

This recipe is adapted from The New Best Recipe Cookbook by Cook's Illustrated.  I use my own marinara sauce (recipe on the blog) and I also melt mozzarella cheese on top.   The recipe I have included is for the breaded chicken cutlets used.  This recipe is taken from the same cookbook. I always serve my chicken Parmesan with egg noodles.  Super easy and very filling!

Breaded Chicken Cutlets
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, fat trimmed
1 1/2 cups bread crumbs 
3/4 cup unbleached flour
2 large eggs
1 tablespoon plus 3 /4 cup olive oil


1.  Use a meat pounder, rubber mallet, or rolling pin to pound the chicken breasts to an even 1/2-inch thickness.
2. Sprinkle the cutlets with salt and pepper.
3. Set a large heatproof plate on the rack in the oven, and heat the oven to 200 degrees. Place the bread crumbs in a shallow dish or pis plate.  Spread the flour in a second shallow dish.  Beat the eggs with the 1 tablespoon olive oil in a third shallow dish.  Place a wire rack over a baking sheet.
4. Working with one at a time, dredge the cutlets thoroughly in the flour, shaking off the excess.  Using tongs, dip both sides of the cutlets in the egg mixture, taking care to coat them thoroughly and allowing the excess to drip back into the dish to ensure a very thin coating.  Dip both sides of the cutlets in the bread crumbs, pressing the crumbs with your fingers to form an even, cohesive coat.  Place the breaded cutlets in a single layer on the wire rack and allow the coating to dry for about 5 minutes.
5. Meanwhile, heat 6 tablespoons of the remaining oil in a heavy-bottomed 10 inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering but not smoking, about 2 minutes.  Lay the two cutlets gently in the skillet and cook until deep golden brown and crisp on the first side, gently pressing down on the cutlets with a wide metal spatula to help ensure even browning, about 2 1/2 minutes. Using tongs, turn the cutlets, reduce the heat to medium, and continue to cook until the meat feels firm when pressed gently and the second side is a deep golden brown and crisp, 2 1/2 to 3 minutes.  Line the warmed plate with a double layer of paper towels and set the cutlets on top; return the plate to the oven.
6. Discard the oil in the skillet and wipe the skillet clean using tongs and a large wad of paper towels.  Repeat Step 5, using the remaining 6 tablespoons oil and the now-clean skillet to cook the remaining cutlets. 
Parmesan Breaded Chicken Cutlets
Follow the recipe for Breaded Chicken cutlets, replacing 1/4 cup of the bread crumbs with 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese