Grilled Chicken Parmesan over Hashed Zucchini and Shallots
This is a recipe to master .... healthy and not difficult. A staple in my home.
A great updated recipe to the fried, salty, cheese laden chicken parmesan.
Ingredients:
- 4 6 - 8 ounce chicken breasts, boneless and skinless
- 1 teaspoon olive oil, extra virgin, first press
- ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 pinch tumeric
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper
- ½ cup marinara sauce, home made or your favorite
- ⅓ cup parmegiano reggiano
- 2 teaspoons fresh herbs, rosemary, thyme or oregano
- 1 ½ cups zucchini, cut into 1/2 “pieces - try farmers' markets
- ¼ cup shallots, peeled, cut 1/2 " pieces
- 2 teaspoons canola oil
- ½ teaspoon salt & pepper to taste
- Garlic Bread Crumbs - see under Notes
Method:
Trim the chicken of excess fat, and place in a shallow bowl with the next 5 ingredients (olive oil through pepper.) Let marinate at least 20 minutes,
or up to a day ahead. Spray a grill pan with oil, set to high heat. (I use a cast iron grill pan.) Add the chicken, and cook on the first side until very
golden and has nice grill marks. Turn over, reduce heat to low and cook for 3 - 5 minutes, until golden - but still undercooked in the center. While chicken cooks, heat the oven to 350 degrees. Place the 4 chicken breasts in a baking dish to fit. Top each with some marinara sauce. Using vegetable peeler, cut long strips of parmigiano reggiano ( room temperature works best .) Put 3 - 4 strips of cheese over the marinara sauce, top with minced herbs. Bake in the oven until done. The time here will depend on the thickness of your chicken. It should be cooked through, no longer pink inside. This will take from 10 - 15 minutes. You can test with a small sharp knife.
Make the Hashed Zucchini & Shallots : Cut the zucchini and shallots into 1/2" pieces. Add 2 t. oil to a non stick skillet, place over high heat.When the oil shimmers, add the zucchini, toss once and let become golden, stir again. Lower the heat to medium, add the shallots and salt and pepper. Cook until done, 5 minutes. Place a portion of the vegetables in each plate in the center. Top with a chicken breast and scatter some Garlic Bread Crumbs, enjoy.
Notes:
Easy Addicting Garlic Bread Crumbs :
In a small chopper or food processor pulse 1 piece of whole grain white bread (crust removed) until almost fine. Heat the oven to 350 degrees. Add the crumbs to a small baking dish with 2 t. olive oil., 1 t. minced garlic and 1/4 t. sea salt. Bake for 10 minutes or until golden, watch - can burn quickly.
Alternately, toss these bread crumbs into salads, or anywhere you need some crispy garlicky crunch.
