BAKED CHICKEN PIZZAIOLA RECIPE - (4.4/5)

Baked Chicken Pizzaiola Recipe - (4.4/5) image

Provided by á-17891

Number Of Ingredients 15

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Ingredients

Sauce {substitute 1 jar (24 ounce) premade sauce to save time}:
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium-ish yellow onion, diced
1/2 bell pepper, diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 + 1/2 teaspoons Italian seasoning, crushed between fingertips
coarse salt and fresh black pepper
1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
Chicken:
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
1/3 cup seasoned bread crumbs
6 chicken cutlets
1 + 1/3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
3 - 4 ounces sliced pepperoni
12 ounces spaghetti

Steps:

Instructions Make the sauce: In a large, heavy-bottomed saucepan heat the oil over medium-low heat. Add the onion, pepper, garlic and Italian seasoning. Season well with salt and pepper. Cook until tender about 10 minutes, stirring often. Mix in the crushed tomatoes, about 1 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Add about 1/4 cup water to the empty tomato can and slosh it around to mix with any remaining sauce and add it to the pan. Bring to a simmer and cook 25 - 30 minutes, stirring often. Taste halfway through and again at the end and season as needed. Meanwhile make the chicken: Heat oven to 400 degrees F. Lightly grease a large roasting pan or baking sheet with sides large enough to comfortably fit all the chicken. In a wide, shallow dish mix the Parmesan and bread crumbs together. Season the chicken on both sides with salt and pepper. Coat the chicken one at a time with the crumbs patting them on with your hands - the chicken will be thinly covered - some of the chicken will show through - that's ok. Place them in the baking sheet at least an inch apart.Bake 15 minutes. Meanwhile cook the spaghetti in plenty of boiling water according to package directions to al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of the cooking water before draining. Remove the chicken from the oven and top with the pepperoni - dividing it up evenly between the chicken, then do the same with the mozzarella, piling it on top. Put them back in the oven about 5 minutes until cheese is completely melted. Chicken should measure internal temperature of 165 - 175 degrees F. If you want the cheese to be golden you can place them briefly under the broiler. Mix the sauce into the spaghetti over low heat, mixing in a little of the reserved starchy water from cooking the spaghetti. Serve with the chicken and extra Parmesan for garnish. *To make this without the spaghetti bake it in a large casserole dish. Pour the sauce into the bottom and place the chicken on top. You will need to cook it longer - anywhere from 10 - 20 minutes.