Slow-Cooked Chicken Parmigiana with Eggplant
Delve into a comforting Italian classic with this Slow-Cooked Chicken Parmigiana, where tender chicken breasts are perfectly breaded and layered with rich pizza sauce, succulent eggplant, and a gooey blend of mozzarella and parmesan cheeses. This hearty dish is ideal for family dinners and gatherings, allowing you to enjoy a flavorful meal with minimal prep time. With the convenience of a crock pot, this recipe is both simple and satisfying, making it a delightful choice for busy weeknights or cozy weekend feasts. Serve it with your favorite pasta or a fresh salad for a complete and hearty meal.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
10
Ingredients
Ingredients
chicken breasts
3 whole (cut into halves)
egg
1 (beaten)
salt
1 teaspoon (to taste)
black pepper
1/4 teaspoon (ground)
dry breadcrumbs
1 cup (for coating)
butter or margarine
1/2 cup (for sautéing)
eggplant
1 (sliced)
pizza sauce
1 (10.5 ounce) can (for layering)
mozzarella cheese
6 slices (for topping)
parmesan cheese
to taste (for topping)
Instructions
1
Begin by cutting the whole chicken breasts into halves to ensure even cooking.
2
In a medium bowl, whisk together one egg with one teaspoon of salt and a quarter teaspoon of black pepper until well combined.
3
Dip each chicken half into the egg mixture, allowing any excess egg to drip off, then coat thoroughly with dry breadcrumbs to create a crispy crust.
4
In a large skillet over medium heat, melt half a cup of butter or margarine. Once heated, add the breaded chicken pieces and sauté them until golden brown on both sides, about 3-4 minutes per side. Remove from skillet and set aside.
5
Slice the eggplant into rounds and sauto in the residual skillet until just tender, about 3 minutes per side, then remove from the heat.
6
Layer the sautéed eggplant slices at the bottom of the crock pot to form a base, followed by the browned chicken pieces arranged neatly on top.
7
Pour the can of pizza sauce evenly over the chicken and eggplant, ensuring everything is well covered.
8
Cover the crock pot with its lid and cook on low heat for 6 to 8 hours, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully.
9
About 15 minutes before serving, place the slices of mozzarella cheese over the top of the chicken. Cover and allow the cheese to melt and become bubbly.
10
Before serving, generously sprinkle with grated parmesan cheese for an extra touch of flavor.
11
Serve warm, and enjoy this delicious chicken Parmigiana with your favorite sides!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Slow-Cooked Chicken Parmigiana with Eggplant?
It is a comforting Italian classic featuring breaded chicken, eggplant, pizza sauce, and a blend of mozzarella and parmesan cheeses cooked in a crock pot.
How many chicken breasts are needed?
The recipe calls for 3 whole chicken breasts, which are then cut into halves.
How should the chicken be prepared for cooking?
Begin by cutting the whole chicken breasts into halves to ensure even cooking.
How is the egg mixture for breading made?
Whisk together one egg with one teaspoon of salt and a quarter teaspoon of black pepper in a medium bowl.
What is used to bread the chicken?
The chicken is coated in a mixture of one egg, salt, pepper, and dry breadcrumbs.
How do I coat the chicken in breadcrumbs?
Dip each chicken half into the egg mixture and then coat it thoroughly with dry breadcrumbs to create a crispy crust.
How much butter is required for sautéing?
The recipe requires half a cup of butter or margarine.
How long should I sauté the chicken?
Sauté the breaded chicken pieces until they are golden brown on both sides, which takes about 3-4 minutes per side.
How should the eggplant be prepared?
The eggplant should be sliced into rounds and sautéed in the skillet until just tender.
How long do I sauté the eggplant rounds?
Sauté the eggplant slices for about 3 minutes per side before adding them to the crock pot.
How do I layer the ingredients in the crock pot?
Layer the sautéed eggplant slices at the bottom, followed by the browned chicken pieces on top.
What kind of sauce is used in this recipe?
The recipe uses one 10.5-ounce can of pizza sauce.
How should the pizza sauce be applied?
Pour the pizza sauce evenly over the chicken and eggplant layers in the crock pot.
What is the recommended cooking time?
Cook the dish on low heat for 6 to 8 hours.
When do I add the mozzarella cheese?
Place the slices of mozzarella cheese over the top of the chicken about 15 minutes before serving.
How many slices of mozzarella are needed?
The recipe calls for 6 slices of mozzarella cheese.
How do I make the cheese bubbly?
Cover the crock pot after adding the mozzarella and allow it to melt and become bubbly for about 15 minutes.
When is the parmesan cheese added?
Generously sprinkle the grated parmesan cheese over the dish just before serving.
What are the suggested side dishes for this meal?
Serve this chicken Parmigiana with your favorite pasta or a fresh salad.
Is this recipe suitable for busy weeknights?
Yes, the use of a crock pot allows for minimal prep time, making it ideal for busy weeknights.
Can I use margarine instead of butter?
Yes, the recipe specifies that either butter or margarine can be used for sautéing.
What spices are used in the breading process?
The egg mixture is seasoned with salt and black pepper.
How much breadcrumbs are needed for the recipe?
The recipe uses 1 cup of dry breadcrumbs for coating the chicken.
How much salt and pepper are added to the egg?
The mixture includes 1 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper.
Does the eggplant go in raw or cooked?
The eggplant should be sautéed until tender before being placed in the crock pot.
Is the chicken fully cooked in the skillet?
No, the chicken is only sautéed until golden brown and then finishes cooking in the slow cooker.
What tags describe this recipe?
Tags include crock pot, chicken, parmigiana, Italian, comfort food, slow-cooked, and eggplant.
Is this considered an Italian dish?
Yes, it is described as a comforting Italian classic.
How much pizza sauce is used?
One 10.5-ounce can of pizza sauce is required.
What makes this chicken Parmigiana unique?
The addition of sautéed eggplant layers and the slow-cooking method make this version unique and flavorful.