Best Tomato Chicken Parmesan Recipes

TOMATO CHICKEN PARMESAN

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• Pour beaten eggs into a shallow dish or bowl. In another shallow dish or bowl, mix together the grated Parmesan cheese and bread crumbs. Dip chicken breasts into beaten egg, then into bread crumb mixture to coat.
• In a large skillet, heat oil over medium high heat. Add coated chicken and saute for about 8 to 10 minutes each side, or until chicken is cooked through and juices run clear.
• Pour tomato sauce into a lightly greased 9x13 inch baking dish. Add chicken, then place a slice of Monterey Jack cheese over each breast, and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes or until cheese is completely melted.

PARMESAN CRUSTED CHICKEN BREASTS WITH TOMATO AND BASIL AND POTATOES WITH PEPPERS AND ONIONS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 500 degrees F.
• Cut fingerling potatoes into halves or quarters, depending on thickness of fingerlings -- thin, small fingerlings may also be left whole, larger potatoes should be quartered to speed cooking process. If you are using small red potatoes, halve or quarter them in the same way.
• Cover a large cookie sheet with foil. Place potatoes on cookie sheet. Combine with peppers and onions, garlic and crushed red pepper flakes. Coat the potatoes, peppers and onions with extra-virgin olive oil just enough to coat vegetables in a thin layer, 2 to 3 tablespoons. Season liberally with salt and pepper. Place potatoes in the oven and roast 20 to 22 minutes, until potatoes are just tender and peppers and onions are crisp at edges. Toss mixture with tongs, turning the potatoes after 15 minutes. When the potatoes are cooked, transfer them to a serving dish and peel the foil off the cookie sheet and discard for super-quick clean up!
• While potatoes cook, prepare chicken. Roll out a 2-foot piece of waxed paper or foil near the stove top. Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium high heat -- your pan must be very hot when the chicken is added. Pile the shredded cheese on the work surface created with the waxed paper or foil. Season your chicken breasts with black pepper but no salt; the cheese will add enough salt to the taste of the dish. Press the breasts firmly into the cheese. Coat both sides of breasts with as much cheese as possible. Add 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil to the skillet, 1 turn of the pan. Set breasts into the skillet and cook 7 minutes on each side, until cheese forms an even, golden casing around the tender chicken breasts.
• While chicken cooks, combine chopped tomatoes with basil in a small bowl. Season with salt and pepper, to your taste.
• Drain off any excess oil from chicken as you remove it from the skillet. Top chicken with big spoonfuls of raw sauce and serve with potatoes, peppers and onions.

PANKO PARMESAN CRUSTED CHICKEN WITH WASABI TOMATO SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
• Coat a large baking sheet with cooking spray.
• For the chicken:
• Season both sides of chicken with salt and black pepper. Place flour in a shallow dish. Place eggs in a separate shallow dish. Combine panko crumbs and Parmesan in a third shallow dish. Dip chicken first in flour, then in the egg and then panko crumb mixture. Transfer chicken to the prepared baking sheet and spray the surface with cooking spray. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until chicken is golden brown and cooked through. Remove from oven.
• For the sauce:
• While the chicken is cooking, in a small saucepan, combine tomato sauce, wasabi paste, sugar, chili powder, and cumin. Set pan over medium heat and bring to a simmer, for 10 minutes. Remove pan from heat and reserve 2/3 cup of the sauce.
• Serve 4 of the chicken breast halves with remaining tomato sauce spooned over top. Reserve remaining chicken and 2/3 cup of the sauce for another use.

PARMESAN CHICKEN BREAST WITH TOMATO AND HERB SALAD

Steps:

• Toss together tomatoes, vinegar, salt and pepper in a bowl, and set aside. Heat the oven to 425 degrees with a rack in the lowest position.
• Make the chicken: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Finely grate half the Parmesan on a box grater. Grate the remaining half on the larger side of the box grater. Add both to a shallow bowl along with 1/2 cup flour, and whisk together. Put the remaining 1/2 cup flour in another shallow bowl, and the beaten egg in another.
• Season the chicken generously with salt and pepper. Dip the chicken breasts, one at a time, into the flour. Shake off any excess and dip into the eggs, turning to coat evenly. Shake off the excess and dip into the Parmesan mixture, pressing to adhere and holding the chicken gently by the ends to keep the coating intact. Transfer to the lined baking sheet.
• Heat 2 tablespoons oil in your largest ovenproof skillet. When the oil is shimmering, lay the chicken breasts in the pan, in batches if needed. Cook without moving until the coating on the bottom is deeply golden brown and releases easily from the pan, 5 to 6 minutes. Carefully flip the breasts and cook until the other side is just golden on the outside, about 3 minutes more. Transfer the skillet to the oven (or transfer the chicken to a separate baking sheet if needed for space) and cook until the juices run clear and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the chicken registers 165 degrees, 4 to 6 minutes more, depending on the thickness of each breast.
• Sprinkle the herbs over the tomatoes, and drizzle with the remaining 1 tablespoon oil; serve alongside the chicken.

PESTO PARMESAN CRUSTED CHICKEN BREASTS OVER TOMATO SPINACH PASTA

Steps:

• Chicken -- I don't like the chicken breasts too thin for this. A scallopini cut is too thin, but lately a few that I have purchased are so thick I had to pound them out a bit.
• Marinate -- Now, if you have time, place the chicken and pesto in a large baggie and let it marinate, 30 minute and up to 4 hours. But not longer than 4 hours. If you do not have time, don't worry. It can be made right on the spot.
• Tomato sauce -- I like to start the sauce first. I use a good Italian flavored tomato sauce, but use your favorite sauce. I also like to add a bit more onion and garlic to mine, but remember, you can really add anything you want to make it "Yours.".
• In a small pot, add the olive oil and bring to medium heat. Then add the onion and garlic and cook 2-3 minutes. Deglaze with the wine and then add in the tomatoes and let simmer while you prepare the chicken. Before serving - after puree - if you add that step, add in the fresh basil.
• Note: Depending on what type of tomatoes you use, you may need to puree them. I use my immersion blender or you can use a regular blender. The end result you want a fairly smooth sauce. I like a little texture, but I use big Italian tomatoes, so I like to puree mine a bit. If you use a fine diced tomatoes, you may not need to do that. It is your choice.
• Chicken -- In a pie plate, or small dish, add the bread crumbs and parmesan cheese.
• Now if you marinated the chicken in the pesto remove each chicken breast and lightly shake off any extra. Then dredge in the bread crumb and cheese mixture. If you didn't marinate your chicken, just add the pesto to a small bowl and dip each breast in the pesto, shake off any extra and dredge in the bread crumb and cheese mixture like above.
• Pasta -- Cook according to package directions.
• Pan Sear -- In a large skillet (I prefer a non-stick pan for this), heat up the olive oil of medium high heat. Add the chicken and cook on each side until golden brown. They only take approximately 5-10 minutes per side depending on the thickness of your chicken.
• Pasta -- Drain the pasta well and toss in the tomato sauce and don't forget to add the fresh basil.
• Serve -- Plate up the pasta and tomato sauce and then top with a chicken breast. You can garnish with extra parmesan if you want. Just add a salad and dinner. ENJOY!

CHICKEN CUTLET PARMESAN WITH TOMATO SAUCE

Steps:

• Prepare the sauce first.
• Heat oil over medium heat in a medium-sized saucepan.
• Add onion and garlic to the saucepan and cook about 3 minutes, until soft.
• Add tomatoes, tomato paste, bay leaf, sugar, and oregano and simmer until sauce reduces by half.
• While the sauce is reducing, prepare the chicken breasts.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Combine bread crumbs and Parmesan cheese in a plate.
• Place egg in shallow bowl.
• Dip chicken breasts in egg and then dredge in bread crumb mixture to coat.
• Heat oil over medium heat in a large frying pan,
• Add coated chicken breasts.
• Cook until lightly browned, about 5 minutes per side.
• Arrange chicken breasts in a single layer in an oven proof baking dish.
• Pour tomato sauce over chicken.
• Top with mozzarella cheese.
• Bake until cheese is melted and bubbly, approximately 15 minutes.

CHICKEN PARMESAN & CREAMY TOMATO & BASIL SPAGHETTI

Steps:

• 1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line and spray with cooking spray a cooking sheet and set aside. Cut chicken breasts in half horizontally and pound thin to make four cutlets. Toss chicken cutlets in 3 tablespoons of cooking crème and coat well.
• 2. In a shallow dish add bread crumbs and coat each chicken cutlet on both side and place on cooking sheet. Cook in oven for 12 minutes. While chicken cutlets are cooking boil spaghetti according to package instructions drain and reserve a ¼ cup of pasta water.
• 3. Remove cutlets from oven coat top of cutlets with cooking spray and turn cutlets. Top each cutlet with ¼ cup tomato sauce and a ¼ cup of mozzarella return to oven and bake an additional 8 to ten minutes until cheese has melted.
• 4. In a deep pan on stove top on medium high head add remaining cooking crème and ¼ cup of pasta water stir and heat through. Toss cooked spaghetti in sauce to coat well.
• 5. Pour pasta on a large serving dish arrange cutlets on top of pasta and tip each cutlets with a ¼ cup chopped tomatoes and the chopped basil. Serve immediately. Mangia, mangia!!

BAKED RICOTTA BOWLS WITH CHICKEN AND PARMESAN AND A MIXED GREEN SALAD WITH TOMATO-BASIL VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
• Divide crust into 8 pieces and shape each piece into a ball. Press the balls into the bottom and up the sides of an 8-cup mini muffin tin. Set aside.
• In a large bowl, combine chicken, ricotta, Cheddar, 1/4 cup of the Parmesan, eggs, Dijon, parsley, salt, and black pepper. Mix well. Spoon mixture into prepared muffin cups and top with remaining Parmesan. Bake 20 minutes, until a knife inserted near the center of 1 cup comes out clean and crust is golden brown.
• Meanwhile, in a blender, combine tomatoes, basil, garlic powder, vinegar, and oil. Process until smooth. Season to taste with salt and pepper and serve over greens.

PARMESAN CRUSTED CHICKEN CUTLETS IN TOMATO CREAM SAUCE

Steps:

• Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Combine parmesan cheese and italian bread crumbs. Mix egg with small amount of water and dip chicken breasts in egg and then in the crumb mixture.
• In pan on medium heat, melt 2 Tbsp butter and 1 Tbsp olive oil and saute chicken breasts for approximately 10 minutes each side. Remove chicken breasts and keep warm under tin foil. Add remaining butter and olive oil to same pan. Add garlic, saute for 2 minutes, add tomato sauce, tomato paste and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from heat and add the vermouth and cream. Serve chicken with sauce poured over, sprinkle chives on top and serve on any kind of cooked pasta.

ZOODLES WITH CHICKEN AND CREAMY PARMESAN AND SUN-DRIED TOMATO SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 275 degrees F (135 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with paper towels.
• Cut zucchini into noodles using a spiralizer or vegetable peeler. Spread on the baking sheet; cover with another layer of paper towels.
• Bake zucchini noodles in the preheated oven until dried out, about 30 minutes.
• Season chicken with poultry seasoning.
• Melt butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken; cook and stir until golden brown, about 5 minutes. Add onion; cook and stir until softened, about 3 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-low; stir in sun-dried tomatoes, oil, and garlic. Cook until garlic is fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes.
• Stir evaporated skim milk, Parmesan cheese, and vegan cream cheese into the skillet until melted and smooth, 1 to 2 minutes. Season with salt, red pepper flakes, and basil. Stir in zucchini noodles until evenly coated with sauce.

PARMESAN CRUSTED CHICKEN BREASTS W/TOMATO AND BASIL AND POTATOES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 500°F.
• Cut fingerling potatoes into halves or quarters. If you are using small red potatoes, halve or quarter them in the same way.
• Cover a large cookie sheet with foil. Place potatoes on cookie sheet.
• Combine with peppers and onions, garlic and crushed red pepper flakes.
• Coat the potatoes, peppers and onions with extra-virgin olive oil just enough to coat vegetables in a thin layer, 2 to 3 tablespoons.
• Season liberally with salt and pepper. Place potatoes in the oven and roast 20 to 22 minutes, until potatoes are just tender and peppers and onions are crisp at edges.
• Toss mixture with tongs, turning the potatoes after 15 minutes.
• While potatoes cook, prepare chicken. Roll out a 2-foot piece of waxed paper or foil near the stove top.
• Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium high heat -- your pan must be very hot when the chicken is added. Pile the shredded cheese on the work surface created with the waxed paper or foil.
• Season your chicken breasts with black pepper but no salt; the cheese will add enough salt to the taste of the dish. Press the breasts firmly into the cheese. Coat both sides of breasts with as much cheese as possible.
• Add 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil to the skillet, 1 turn of the pan. Set breasts into the skillet and cook 7 minutes on each side.
• While chicken cooks, combine chopped tomatoes with basil in a small bowl. Season with salt and pepper, to your taste.
• Drain off any excess oil from chicken as you remove it from the skillet. Top chicken with big spoonfuls of raw sauce and serve with potatoes, peppers and onions.

PARMESAN CHICKEN WITH TOMATO-BASIL SALAD

Steps:

• Place the chicken between two sheets of wax paper and pound with a flat mallet until the meat is about 1/2-inch thick.
• Prepare 3 bowls- one to hold the flour, one to hold the beaten eggs, and one to hold the Parmesan cheese. Combine the four dried herbs with the grated cheese.
• Coat each chicken filet with flour, then egg, then the Parmesan-herb mixture.
• Spray a skillet with cooking spray and heat over medium-high heat. Saute the chicken until cooked through, about 5 minutes per side.
• While the chicken is cooking, put the mixed greens in four salad bowls. Top with fresh basil & tomatoes.
• Whisk together the lemon juice, olive, & salt-pepper to create a dressing. Pour over salads, and toss a bit if desired. Once the chicken filets are done, serve them over the salad.

LIGHTER CHICKEN PARMESAN WITH SIMPLE TOMATO SAUCE

Steps:

• Adjust an oven rack to the middle position and heat the oven to 475°F.
• Combine the bread crumbs and oil in a 12-inch skillet and toast over medium heat, stirring often, until golden, about 20 minutes. Spread the bread crumbs in a shallow dish and cool slightly; when cool, stir in the parmesan.
• In a second shallow dish, combine the flour, garlic powder, 1 tablespoon salt and 1/2 teaspoons pepper together. In a third shallow dish, whisk the egg whites and water together.
• Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil, place a wire rack on top and spray the rack with vegetable oil spray. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels, then season with salt and pepper. Lightly dredge the cutlets in the flour, shaking off the excess, then dip in the egg whites, and finally coat with the bread crumbs. Press on the bread crumbs to make sure they adhere. Lay the chicken on the wire rack.
• Spray the tops of the chicken with the vegetable oil spray. Bake until the meat is no longer pink in the center and feel firm when pressed with a finger, about 15 minutes.
• Remove the chicken from the oven. Spoon 2 tablespoons of the sauce onto the center of each cutlet; top the sauce with 2 tablespoons of the mozzarella. Return the chicken to the oven and continue to bake until the cheese has melted, about 5 minutes. Sprinkle with the basil and serve, passing the remaining sauce and parmesan separately.
• FOR SIMPLE TOMATO SAUCE: Pulse the tomatoes in a food processor until mostly smooth, about ten one second pulses; set aside.
• Cook the garlic, tomato paste, oil and pepper flakes in a medium saucepan over medium heat until the tomato paste begins to brown, about 2 minutes.
• Stir in the puréed tomatoes and cook until the sauce is thickened and measures 2 cups, about 20 minutes.
• Off the heat, stir in the basil and season with salt and pepper to taste. Cover and set aside until needed.

CHICKEN WITH ITALIAN TOMATO-OLIVE SALSA W/ PARMESAN POLENTA

Steps:

•  Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Combine tomatoes, olives, onion, capers, 3 Tbsp oil, vinegar, ¼ tsp pepper and garlic in a large bowl. Brush chicken with remaining 1 Tbsp oil, and sprinkle with salt and ½ tsp pepper. Grill chicken, covered with grill lid, 5 minutes per side or until done. Cut chicken into 6 servingsize pieces, and top evenly with tomato mixture. Note: Cook chicken in a grill pan coated with cooking spray, if desired. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------     Bring 3¼ cups water, broth and salt to a boil in a large saucepan. Whisk in polenta; return to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer until liquid is absorbed, stirring occasionally (about 5 minutes). Remove from heat, and stir in cheese. Divide into 6 servings.

CHICKEN PARMESAN WITH ROASTED TOMATO SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat the broiler.
• For the roasted tomato sauce: Put the tomatoes and garlic in a cast-iron skillet, drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Broil until starting to char, 12 to 15 minutes depending on your broiler. Remove from the oven and keep the broiler on.
• Meanwhile, pound each chicken breast between 2 sheets of plastic wrap until it is about 1/4 inch thick.
• Put the roasted tomatoes and garlic in a food processor with the red pepper flakes, oregano, tomato paste, basil and sugar. Season well with salt and pepper. Puree until mostly smooth. If the sauce seems too thin, put it in a saucepan on the stove to reduce and thicken for 10 minutes while you make the chicken.
• For the chicken: Pour 1 inch of canola oil into a large cast-iron skillet or heavy-bottomed pan with high sides. Heat to 375 degrees F.
• Set up your breading station. Put the flour in a shallow bowl and season well with salt and pepper. Put the eggs in another shallow bowl. Put the panko and Parmesan in a third shallow bowl.
• Dredge each chicken breast in the seasoned flour, dip in the beaten egg and then dredge in the breadcrumb-cheese mixture. Working with one piece at a time, fry the chicken breasts until golden brown, about 4 minutes per side.
• Put both chicken breasts on a baking sheet fitted with a wire rack. Smear each chicken breast with 2 tablespoons of the ricotta. Top each with about 1/4 cup tomato sauce, reserving the rest for serving. Cover with the mozzarella cheese.
• Broil until the cheese is starting to brown, 2 to 3 minutes. Add a few tablespoons of tomato sauce to each serving plate. Top with chicken Parmesan and garnish with fresh basil. Serve immediately.

BAKED CHICKEN PARMESAN ( WITHOUT TOMATO SAUCE )

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F.
• Whisk eggs and hot sauce in a medium bowl, dip each chicken piece, coating evenly.
• Combine croutons and parmesan in a shallow dish. Roll chicken pieces in dry mix until well coated.
• Place chicken in a prepared 8" x 8" baking pan. Drizzle chicken with melted butter.
• Bake for 30 minutes or until done - ovens vary.

PARMESAN CRUSTED CHICKEN BREASTS WITH TOMATO AND BASIL AND POTATOES WITH PEPPERS AND ONIONS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 500 degrees F. Cut fingerling potatoes into halves or quarters, depending on thickness of fingerlings -- thin, small fingerlings may also be left hole, larger potatoes should be quartered to speed cooking process. If you are using small red potatoes, halve or quarter them in the same way. Cover a large cookie sheet with foil. Place potatoes on cookie sheet. Combine with peppers and onions, garlic and crushed red pepper flakes. Coat the potatoes, peppers and onions with extra-virgin olive oil just enough to coat vegetables in a thin layer, 2 to 3 tablespoons. Season liberally with salt and pepper. Place potatoes in the oven and roast 20 to 22 minutes, until potatoes are just tender and peppers and onions are crisp at edges. Toss mixture with tongs, turning the potatoes after 15 minutes. When the potatoes are cooked, transfer them to a serving dish and peel the foil off the cookie sheet and discard for super-quick clean up! While potatoes cook, prepare chicken. Roll out a 2-foot piece of waxed paper or foil near the stove top. Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium high heat -- your pan must be very hot when the chicken is added. Pile the shredded cheese on the work surface created with the waxed paper or foil. Season your chicken breasts with black pepper but no salt; the cheese will add enough salt to the taste of the dish. Press the breasts firmly into the cheese. Coat both sides of breasts with as much cheese as possible. Add 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil to the skillet, 1 turn of the pan. Set breasts into the skillet and cook 7 minutes on each side, until cheese forms an even, golden casing around the tender chicken breasts. While chicken cooks, combine chopped tomatoes with basil in a small bowl. Season with salt and pepper, to your taste. Drain off any excess oil from chicken as you remove it from the skillet. Top chicken with big spoonfuls of raw sauce and serve with potatoes, peppers and onions.

PARMESAN CRUSTED CHICKEN BREASTS WITH TOMATO AND BASIL AND POTATOES WITH PEPPERS AND ONIONS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 500 degrees F.
• Cut fingerling potatoes into halves or quarters, depending on thickness of fingerlings -- thin, small fingerlings may also be left hole, larger potatoes should be quartered to speed cooking process. If you are using small red potatoes, halve or quarter them in the same way.
• Cover a large cookie sheet with foil. Place potatoes on cookie sheet. Combine with peppers and onions, garlic and crushed red pepper flakes. Coat the potatoes, peppers and onions with extra-virgin olive oil just enough to coat vegetables in a thin layer, 2 to 3 tablespoons. Season liberally with salt and pepper. Place potatoes in the oven and roast 20 to 22 minutes, until potatoes are just tender and peppers and onions are crisp at edges. Toss mixture with tongs, turning the potatoes after 15 minutes. When the potatoes are cooked, transfer them to a serving dish and peel the foil off the cookie sheet and discard for super-quick clean up!
• While potatoes cook, prepare chicken. Roll out a 2-foot piece of waxed paper or foil near the stove top. Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium high heat -- your pan must be very hot when the chicken is added. Pile the shredded cheese on the work surface created with the waxed paper or foil. Season your chicken breasts with black pepper but no salt; the cheese will add enough salt to the taste of the dish. Press the breasts firmly into the cheese. Coat both sides of breasts with as much cheese as possible. Add 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil to the skillet, 1 turn of the pan. Set breasts into the skillet and cook 7 minutes on each side, until cheese forms an even, golden casing around the tender chicken breasts.
• While chicken cooks, combine chopped tomatoes with basil in a small bowl. Season with salt and pepper, to your taste.
• Drain off any excess oil from chicken as you remove it from the skillet. Top chicken with big spoonfuls of raw sauce and serve with potatoes, peppers and onions.

PARMESAN CHICKEN PAILLARDS WITH CHERRY TOMATO SAUCE

Steps:

• Place each chicken breast half between 2 sheets of heavy-duty plastic wrap; pound to 1/2 inch thickness using a meat mallet or a small heavy skillet.
• Sprinkle chicken with 1/4 teaspoons salt and 1/4 teaspoons pepper.
• Combine cheese and flour in a shallow dish. Dredge one side of each chicken breast in the cheese mixture.
• Heat 1 teaspoons oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add 2 chicken breast halves, cheese side down; cook 4 minutes on each side or until done. Repeat procedure with remaining oil and chicken breast halves.
• Remove from pan; keep warm.
• Carefully wipe any browned bits from the pan using a paper towel.
• Coat pan with cooking spray. Add onion; saute 2 minutes. Stir in broth and vinegar; cook 1 minute or until liquid almost evaporates. Add tomatoes, remaining salt and pepper, and oregano; cook 2 minutes.

CHICKEN PARMESAN WITH OVEN ROASTED TOMATO SAUCE AND SMOKED MOZZ

Steps:

• Position rack in upper third of oven and preheat over to 400 degrees.
• Season each chicken breast with 1/2 teaspoon of Italian seasoning and 1/8 teaspoon of salt.
• Place the flour into a small bowl. Place the egg and milk into a second small bowl. Place the bread crumbs into a third small bowl. Dip each chicken breast into the flour, then the beaten egg mixture, and finally into the bread crumbs, shaking to rid of excess between each step. Transfer to a plate and repeat with remaining breasts. When all of the breasts are breaded, heat half of the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Place the chicken, smooth side down, into the skillet and cook for 4 minutes. Turn the chicken breasts to the other side, add the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil and cook for 2 minutes longer. Remove the skillet from the heat.
• Spoon 1/4 cup of the tomato sauce over each breast and divide the mozzarella slices evenly among the chicken pieces. Sprinkle with the Parmigiano-Reggiano, and transfer the skillet to the oven. Cook until the chicken is just cooked through and the cheese melts, about 8 minutes. Adjust the oven setting to broil and continue to cook until the cheese bubbles and is lightly golden, about 1 to 2 minutes longer.
• While the chicken is baking, reheat the pasta sauce if necessary. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet. Add the pasta and toss until warmed through. Season to taste with salt and freshly ground pepper. Add enough of the pasta sauce to just coat the pasta and divide between 4 large serving plates.
• When the chicken is ready, top each plate of pasta with a little more sauce and top each serving with a chicken breast. Garnish with the fresh basil and serve immediately.
• Note: Regular smoked mozzarella works better in this recipe than fresh smoked mozzarella.
• Oven-Roasted Tomato Sauce: In a large, 14-inch, oven proof frying pan, combine all the ingredients. Stir to blend then transfer to the oven and cook until the tomatoes begin to caramelize, about 30 minutes. Remove the skillet from the oven and stir well. Return to the oven and continue to cook until further caramelized and much of the liquid has evaporated, about 30 minutes longer. Remove from the oven, cool slightly, and transfer to a blender, in batches if necessary, and process sauce until coarsely pureed. If the sauce seems too thick, thin with a bit of water or chicken broth. Use immediately or cool completely and refrigerate for up to 4 days in a non-reactive, airtight container.
• The sauce is great on pasta as well as pizza and even makes a great dipping sauce for hors d'oeuvres. If you prefer a less rustic sauce, puree completely as described above and strain.
• Yield: about 4 cups sauce.
• * If Romanita tomatoes are unavailable, use a combination of Roma and grape tomatoes to approximate the sweetness of Romanitas, or use another type of sweet tomato, such as Amorosa.