Juicy breaded chicken layered with pesto, marinara, and bubbly cheese for a comforting Italian-inspired meal.
# What You Need:
→ Chicken
01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
02 - Salt and pepper to taste
→ Breading
03 - 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
04 - 2 large eggs
05 - 1 cup Italian breadcrumbs
06 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
→ Toppings
07 - 1/2 cup fresh basil pesto
08 - 1 cup marinara sauce
09 - 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
10 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
11 - Fresh basil leaves for garnish (optional)
# Directions:
01 - Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
02 - Pound chicken breasts to uniform thickness using a meat mallet or rolling pin. Season both sides evenly with salt and pepper.
03 - Arrange three shallow plates: place flour on the first plate, beat eggs in a shallow dish, and spread breadcrumbs on the third plate.
04 - Dredge each chicken breast in flour, shake off excess, dip into beaten eggs, then coat thoroughly with breadcrumbs, pressing gently to adhere.
05 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook breaded chicken breasts for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown. Chicken will finish cooking in the oven.
06 - Carefully transfer browned chicken breasts to a baking dish in a single layer.
07 - Spread 1-2 tablespoons pesto over each chicken breast. Top with a few tablespoons of marinara sauce.
08 - Sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan cheese evenly over each piece.
09 - Bake for 15-20 minutes until chicken reaches internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and cheese is melted and bubbly.
10 - Remove from oven and garnish with fresh basil leaves if desired. Serve hot with pasta, garlic bread, or a side salad.
