Mozzarella-Stuffed Chicken Parmesan

yum-E!

This is a little on the time-consuming side, but oh, so worth it!

You can make the patties ahead of time, even breading them and storing them in the refrigerator until it's time to cook.

Using ground chicken is easier to stuff than whole chicken breasts, but the flavor is the same.

This makes 2 large chicken patties.

Enjoy!

Chicken:

1 pound ground white chicken breast

1 egg

salt and pepper

garlic powder

Italian seasoning

4 thick slices mozzarella cheese

Breading:

1/2 C flour

2 eggs

3/4 C dry bread crumbs or panko

cooking oil (canola or olive)

Topping:

1/2 C marinara sauce

1/2 C Parmesan cheese

1/4 C chopped Italian parsley

Mix the chicken and the egg in a bowl. Season well with salt, pepper, garlic powder and Italian seasoning.

On waxed paper, on a platter or cutting board, divide the chicken to make 4 large ground meat patties. Lay 2 slices of cheese in the center of two of the patties. Carefully top each with the second patty. With fingers, seal the edges well, making sure to conceal all the cheese.

Cover the patties with plastic wrap and place the platter or cutting board, with the patties on it, in the refrigerator and let chill well for at least 30 minutes or overnight. Alternatively, you may freeze the patties for 15-30 minutes. The idea is to get the meat to firm up enough to be able to bread it later.

Place the flour in a shallow bowl or a saucer. Beat the eggs in another bowl. Place bread crumbs or panko to a third bowl.

Remove the chicken patties from the refrigerator or freezer. Carefully dredge each one in the flour, coating it completely. Set on the wax paper-lined platter or cutting board. Carefully coat the flour-dredged patties with the beaten egg. Set on the platter or cutting board. Carefully coat the patties in the bread crumbs or panko, making sure to cover well with crumbs. Add more crumbs as needed to get a good coating. Return the breaded patties to the refrigerator.

Preheat the oven to 400*

Heat the marinara sauce in a small saucepan on low heat on the stove.

Heat the oil over medium-high heat in skillet large enough to fit both patties.

Carefully place the patties in the hot oil and cook, undisturbed for 3 minutes.

Carefully turn the patties over with a spatula and continue to cook for 3 minutes.

Make sure the coating is evenly browned and the patties are staying together.

Remove the patties to a rimmed cookie sheet.

Place in the preheated oven and bake for 10 minutes.

Meanwhile cook pasta or potatoes; vegetables and make a salad if desired.

Remove the patties from the oven onto individual plates. Top with marinara sauce, Parmasan cheese and parsley. Serve with side dishes as desired.

If melted cheese is desired, you can top the patties with Parmesan cheese after they've baked for 10 minutes.