This Parmesan Crusted Chicken Romano is a delicious, crispy dish featuring tender chicken coated in a golden crust made with Pecorino and Parmesan cheeses. Served over spaghetti with marinara sauce, it creates a complete and satisfying meal. The combination of olive oil and butter adds a rich flavor to the crust, while the simple marinara sauce ties everything together. Perfect for a family dinner or a special meal, this dish brings a touch of Italian comfort to your table.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

1 ½ lb chicken tenderloins
Salt and pepper, to taste
⅔ cup all-purpose flour
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
1 cup Pecorino Romano cheese, grated
⅓ cup grated Parmesan cheese
⅔ cup plain panko breadcrumbs
8 oz spaghetti
¼ cup olive oil
2 tbsp unsalted butter
2 cups marinara sauce
6 small fresh parsley sprigs (optional, for garnish)

Directions

Prepare the Chicken: Flatten the chicken tenderloins to ¼-inch thickness using a meat mallet. Season with salt and pepper.
Set Up Dredging Stations: Set up three plates: one with flour, one with beaten eggs, and one with a mixture of grated Pecorino Romano, Parmesan, and breadcrumbs.
Bread the Chicken: Dredge each chicken tenderloin in flour, dip in the egg mixture, and then coat thoroughly in the cheese and breadcrumb mixture. Set the breaded chicken aside on a plate.
Cook Spaghetti: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, then add the spaghetti. Cook until al dente, about 12 minutes. Drain and set aside.
Cook the Chicken: In a large skillet, heat olive oil and butter over medium-high heat. Fry the breaded chicken until golden and cooked through, about 3-4 minutes per side. Remove the chicken and keep warm.
Heat Sauce and Combine: Return the drained spaghetti to the pot, add the marinara sauce, and heat through.
Serve: Plate the spaghetti, top with the chicken tenderloins, and garnish with fresh parsley if desired.

Nutrients

Calories: 497
Carbohydrates: 46g
Protein: 37g
Fat: 23g
Saturated Fat: 7g
Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g
Monounsaturated Fat: 9g
Trans Fat: 0g
Cholesterol: 104mg
Sodium: 682mg
Potassium: 715mg
Fiber: 3g
Sugar: 6g
Vitamin A: 707IU
Vitamin C: 5mg
Calcium: 280mg
Iron: 3mg

This Parmesan Crusted Chicken Romano is an ideal dinner that combines rich flavors and textures in one delightful meal, perfect for any family or special dinner gathering.

The Golden, Crispy Crust

What sets this Parmesan Crusted Chicken Romano apart from other chicken dishes is the crispy, golden crust. The crust is made from a mixture of Pecorino Romano cheese, Parmesan cheese, and panko breadcrumbs, which creates a flavorful, crunchy coating that enhances the tender chicken inside. Pecorino Romano, with its sharp, salty flavor, combines beautifully with the nutty, milder taste of Parmesan cheese, making the crust rich and full of umami. The panko breadcrumbs add an extra crunch, creating a texture that is both satisfying and delicious. The combination of these ingredients, along with the olive oil and butter used in the cooking process, results in a perfectly crispy exterior that seals in the juices of the chicken, making every bite a flavorful experience.

Tender Chicken for the Perfect Bite

While the crust is undeniably the star of the dish, the tender chicken beneath it is just as important. Chicken tenderloins are an ideal choice for this recipe, as they are naturally tender and cook quickly, ensuring that the chicken remains juicy and moist. Flattening the chicken tenderloins to a ¼-inch thickness ensures that they cook evenly and stay tender. When coated in the cheese and breadcrumb mixture, the chicken becomes perfectly crispy on the outside while retaining its natural juices and tenderness on the inside. The result is a bite of chicken that is both juicy and flavorful, with the satisfying crunch of the Parmesan crust providing a delightful contrast in texture.

Marinara Sauce: The Classic Complement

No Italian dish would be complete without a delicious marinara sauce, and this recipe calls for a simple yet flavorful homemade sauce that complements the Parmesan Crusted Chicken Romano perfectly. The marinara sauce is made from ripe tomatoes, garlic, and a blend of herbs like basil and oregano, giving it a fresh, herby taste that pairs beautifully with the richness of the chicken. The sauce is simmered until it is thick and flavorful, providing the perfect balance of acidity and sweetness to cut through the richness of the cheese crust. Once the spaghetti is tossed in the marinara sauce, it becomes the perfect base for the crispy chicken tenderloins. The combination of the hearty pasta, savory marinara, and crispy chicken creates a satisfying and comforting meal that is perfect for any occasion.

Spaghetti: The Perfect Base

Spaghetti is the traditional pasta choice for this dish, offering a simple yet effective base that complements the Parmesan Crusted Chicken Romano and marinara sauce. Spaghetti is long and thin, allowing it to easily absorb the marinara sauce and provide a satisfying bite. The pasta is cooked al dente, ensuring it has a slight firmness that holds up well when topped with the chicken and sauce. The spaghetti’s neutral flavor allows the other ingredients in the dish to shine, providing the perfect foundation for the crispy chicken and rich marinara sauce. Whether you are enjoying this dish as a family dinner or serving it to guests, the spaghetti ties the entire meal together, making it a complete and satisfying entrée.

A Simple Yet Flavorful Cooking Process

What makes Parmesan Crusted Chicken Romano so special is how the dish combines a few simple steps into a flavorful, complete meal. The process starts by dredging the chicken in flour, egg, and a mixture of cheeses and breadcrumbs, creating the flavorful crust that will later be crisped up in the skillet. The chicken is cooked in a mixture of olive oil and butter, allowing the crust to become golden brown while the chicken remains tender on the inside. While the chicken is cooking, the spaghetti is boiled and the marinara sauce is heated, ensuring that all components of the meal come together seamlessly. Once the chicken is cooked and the sauce is ready, the dish is assembled by placing the spaghetti on a plate, topping it with the crispy chicken, and garnishing with a few sprigs of fresh parsley. The simplicity of the recipe allows the ingredients to speak for themselves, creating a dish that is both easy to make and incredibly flavorful.

Customization Options for the Dish

While the classic Parmesan Crusted Chicken Romano recipe is already delicious, there are a few ways to customize it to suit your preferences. For a healthier version, you can substitute the pasta for whole-wheat spaghetti or another type of whole-grain pasta to add more fiber to the dish. You can also experiment with different types of cheese in the crust, such as adding mozzarella for a gooey, melted interior or using a mixture of different hard cheeses for added flavor complexity. To add a bit of heat to the dish, consider sprinkling red pepper flakes into the marinara sauce or the breadcrumb mixture for a subtle spicy kick. If you prefer a different type of meat, you can swap out the chicken for veal, pork, or even eggplant for a vegetarian version of the dish. The versatility of Parmesan Crusted Chicken Romano makes it an easy recipe to adapt to your taste or dietary preferences.

Why This Dish Is Perfect for Any Occasion

Parmesan Crusted Chicken Romano is a dish that is perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re hosting a family dinner, preparing a special meal for guests, or simply craving a comforting dinner for yourself, this dish is sure to impress. The rich flavors of the Parmesan crust, tender chicken, and savory marinara sauce come together to create a meal that feels both indulgent and satisfying. The meal is hearty enough to serve as a main course, yet it’s simple enough to make for a casual dinner at home. The dish’s ease of preparation, combined with its impressive presentation, makes it an ideal choice for both everyday meals and special occasions like anniversaries, birthdays, or holiday gatherings.

A Complete and Balanced Meal

Parmesan Crusted Chicken Romano is not only delicious, but it is also a balanced meal that provides a satisfying combination of protein, carbohydrates, and healthy fats. The chicken offers a substantial amount of protein, which is important for muscle repair and overall body function, while the spaghetti provides carbohydrates that fuel the body with energy. The olive oil and butter used to cook the chicken provide healthy fats, which are essential for heart health. The marinara sauce adds a serving of vegetables, as tomatoes are rich in vitamins and antioxidants, particularly lycopene, which supports heart health and reduces inflammation. The fresh parsley garnish adds a pop of color and provides additional nutrients, making the dish as healthy as it is flavorful.

Conclusion

Parmesan Crusted Chicken Romano is a delightful and satisfying meal that combines the rich flavors of cheese, crispy chicken, and savory marinara sauce, creating a perfect dish for any occasion. With its golden, cheesy crust and tender chicken, paired with al dente spaghetti and homemade marinara sauce, this dish offers the ideal balance of textures and flavors. Whether you’re preparing it for a special occasion or a weeknight dinner, it is sure to please anyone at the table. The ease of preparation and the ability to customize the dish to suit your preferences make it a versatile and impressive addition to your dinner repertoire. Whether served to family, friends, or guests, this meal will undoubtedly become a favorite in your collection of comforting, Italian-inspired dishes.

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