Breaded Chicken with Parmesan (Chicken Parmigiana)

• • 2 pieces chicken breast
• • 4 medium eggs
• • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• • 1 tablespoon onion powder
• • 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
• • 2 tablespoons olive oil
• • 250g all-purpose flour
• • 100g breadcrumbs (galeta)
• • 200g grated crustless bread
• • 250g tomato sauce (recipe below)
• • 250g grated mozzarella
• • 100g Parmesan flakes
• • 1 teaspoon salt
• • 1 teaspoon black pepper

For the Breading

• • 50g grated Parmesan

For the Tomato Sauce

• • 4 ripe tomatoes, finely chopped or grated
• • 100ml tomato juice
• • 80ml olive oil
• • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• • 1 clove garlic, finely chopped
• • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• • 1 bay leaf
• • 1 level teaspoon salt
• • 1/3 teaspoon black pepper
• • 2 tablespoons chopped basil

For the Chicken:

1. 1. Preheat the oven to 200°C (fan) and line a baking tray with parchment paper. Using a sharp knife, slice the fillets in half and open them up like a butterfly. Meanwhile, in a tray, mix the grated bread, breadcrumbs, and Parmesan.
2. 2. In a bowl, place the fillets and sprinkle with garlic, onion, parsley, salt, pepper, and olive oil. Mix well so the ingredients marinate the chicken and set aside.
3. 3. Prepare one bowl with the flour and another with the eggs, adding salt and pepper to the eggs. Coat all fillets first in flour, then in egg, and finally in the breadcrumb, bread, and Parmesan mixture.
4. 4. Next, heat vegetable oil in a frying pan over medium-high heat. Fry the chicken for 4-5 minutes until golden brown and crispy. Remove the breasts from the pan and let them drain on paper towels.
5. 5. Transfer the chicken to a baking tray lined with non-stick parchment paper, top with the tomato sauce, grated mozzarella, and Parmesan flakes. Bake for 10-12 minutes.

For the Tomato Sauce:

1. 1. Heat the olive oil in a pan over medium-high heat and add the onion.
2. 2. Once the onion has softened, add the garlic, tomato paste, and bay leaf to release their aromas. Immediately after, add the tomato juice, tomatoes, salt, and pepper.
3. 3. Reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 10 minutes. Finally, add the chopped basil.