I’m not a gambling man, but if I were, I would bet that if you randomly chose a pub in Australia, you would find chicken parmi – also called ‘chicken parma’ – on the menu.
Preparation Time
10 Minutes
Cooking Time
45 Minutes
Serves
4
Ingredients
2 large skinless and boneless chicken breast fillets, about 200g each
60g (7 1/4 tablespoons) plain flour
2 eggs
200g (3 cups) stale breadcrumbs
125ml (½ cup) vegetable oil
2 tablespoons butter
250ml (1 cup) tomato passata
200g mozzarella cheese sliced
50g (½ cup plus 2 tablespoons) finely grated
Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 tablespoon finely chopped flat-leaf parsley
½ teaspoon chilli flakes (optional)
Method
Preheat the oven to 180°C/Gas Mark 4. Line a roasting pan with baking paper.
Put the chicken breast fillets onto a clean chopping board. With the palm of one hand on the chicken, carefully cut through the centre of the fillet, horizontally, to give 2 pieces. Repeat with the second chicken fillet. Put the 4 pieces of chicken between two sheets of clingfilm in one layer. Use a meat mallet or rolling pin to pound the chicken so it is an even thickness, ideally no thicker than 5mm, then transfer to a plate.
Put the flour onto a plate, beat the eggs in a bowl and put the breadcrumbs on plate. Toss the chicken in the flour, then dip in the beaten egg, and finally press into the breadcrumbs until coated all over. Return to the plate and set aside.
Heat the oil and butter in a large frying pan or skillet over a medium heat. When the butter is melted and sizzling, add 2 chicken breasts and cook for 5 minutes on each side until golden. Adjust the heat if the breadcrumbs are cooking too quickly. Transfer to the prepared roasting pan and repeat to cook the remaining chicken, adding it to the pan.
Pour the tomato passata over the top of each chicken breast, add the mozzarella, Parmesan and a sprinkle of oregano, then bake in the oven for 30 minutes, or until golden. Scatter over the parsley and chilli flakes, if using, and serve hot.
