Sometimes I am in the mood for a comforting meal that’s filling and delicious, but don’t have a lot of time to prepare it.  I’m sure you have the same experience on many occasions. Well, I am alway on the look-out for easy to prepare, quick meals, and when I find ones that look interesting, I dog-ear the page, or tear out the clipping.  The problem with me is that I can’t remember where I saw it , or where I put the clipping.  I just remember enough to purchase the necessary ingredients,  and then go “where did I see  that recipe? or,” where did I put that clipping?”  I am developing a better system of recipe organization,  but that story will wait for another time!  This recipe meets all my requirements:  quick, easy, well-balanced, not very fancy, but just plain good.

Chicken Parmesan

For the pasta, I recommend Orzo, because it cooks quickly; and tastes good with some sauce over it.  To round out the meal add a vegetable like broccoli, which  also cooks quickly, and  looks great on the plate with the white pasta and red sauce.  A side salad would go well with this meal, but not really necessary.   I would, however, have a great white wine with it , like a Chardonnay!

Total time to prepare:  about 30 minutes.   Yield:  4 servings

• 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
• 1/4 cup dry breadcrumbs
• 1 tablespoon minced parsley
• 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/4 teaspoon salt, divided
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• 1 pound chicken breast tenders
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 1/2 cups bottled tomato-basil pasta sauce, or better yet, your own homemade tomato sauce.
• 2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/3 cup shredded provolone cheese

1. Combine 2 tablespoons of Parmesan, breadcrumbs, parsley, basil, and 1/8 teaspoon salt in a shallow dish.
2. Place egg in another shallow dish.  Dip each chicken tender in egg, then dredge in bread-crumb mixture.
3. Melt butter in a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat.  Add chicken;  cook 3 minutes on each side or until done.  Set aside in the pan.
4. Combine 1/8 teaspoon salt, pasta sauce, vinegar, and pepper in a microwave-safe bowl.  Cover with plastic wrap;  vent.  Microwave sauce mixture at HIGH for 2 minutes or until thoroughly heated.
5. Preheat broiler.
6. Pour the sauce over the chicken in the pan.  Sprinkle  evenly with the remaining Parmesan and all of the provolone cheese.  Wrap handle of pan with foil, and broil 2 minutes or until the cheese melts.

Chicken Parmesan with Orzo and Broccoli

Source:  slightly adapted from Cooking Light Magazine