Description
Chicken Sorrentino is a delightful Italian-inspired dish featuring breaded chicken breasts topped with crispy fried eggplant, savory prosciutto, fresh mozzarella, and a rich marinara sauce, all baked to bubbly perfection and garnished with fresh basil. This recipe combines frying and baking techniques to create a comfort meal with layers of flavor and satisfying textures, perfect for a family dinner or special occasion.
Ingredients
For the Chicken and Coating
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 1 cup breadcrumbs (preferably Italian-style)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
For the Toppings
- 1 medium eggplant, sliced into 1/2-inch rounds
- 4 slices prosciutto
- 1/2 cup marinara sauce
- 1 cup fresh mozzarella, sliced
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped
For Frying
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the assembled chicken later.
- Prepare Chicken: Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Dredge each breast first in the flour, then dip into the beaten eggs, and finally coat with the Italian-style breadcrumbs, pressing gently to ensure an even coating.
- Fry Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Fry the breaded chicken breasts for 4-5 minutes on each side, or until they are golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Fry Eggplant: Using the same skillet with the remaining oil, lightly fry the eggplant slices for about 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown. Drain excess oil by placing the slices on paper towels and set aside.
- Assemble Chicken Sorrentino: Place the fried chicken breasts on a baking sheet. On each breast, layer a slice of prosciutto, followed by a couple of the fried eggplant slices, and then add a slice of fresh mozzarella on top.
- Add Sauce and Cheese: Spoon approximately one tablespoon of marinara sauce over the mozzarella on each chicken breast. Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese evenly over the top.
- Bake: Bake the assembled chicken breasts in the preheated oven for 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese has melted completely and is bubbly.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from the oven and sprinkle each serving with freshly chopped basil. Serve immediately for best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Using Italian-style breadcrumbs adds a flavorful herb element to the coating. Regular breadcrumbs can be used if unavailable.
- Ensure the eggplant slices are not too thick to allow even frying and prevent sogginess.
- For a lighter version, the eggplant can be grilled or baked instead of fried.
- Leftover Chicken Sorrentino can be refrigerated for up to 2 days and reheated in the oven to maintain crispiness.