Saturday, October 6, 2012

The Anti-Chicken Fingers Movement - Chicken Parmesan with Spaghetti Squash

Spaghetti squash. I've read a lot about it recently and have been quite intrigued. A vegetable that can pass as spaghetti?  NO WAY!  I mean, I am 1/2 Italian and I just couldn't buy it.  And I'm that girl who refuses to eat low-fat cheese or any other "diety" thing if it tastes bad (and I think low-fat cheese is terrible and unfair!) or doesn't compare to the real thing.  Then a few weeks ago, I found myself staring straight at a spaghetti squash and decided to give it a try.  I was amazed!  It pacified all my cravings for pasta, it was tasty (I BARELY noticed it wasn't pasta) and I was so proud of myself for having mostly vegetables for lunch.  So, I decided to up my game and added it to our dinner menu with a little Parmesan chicken.  And guess what ladies, the hubs loved it too!

Chicken Parmesan and Spaghetti Squash
Original Recipe from Against All Grain


2 Boneless, skinless chicken breasts (butterflied and pounded to make 4 thin cutlets)
2 eggs
1 cup almond flour
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon dried Italian herbs (or a mixture of thyme, rosemary, and parsley)
4 tablespoons olive oil
2 cups pasta sauce
1/2 cup grated Fontina cheese
4 slices Provolone cheese
1 small Spaghetti Squash (Cooked and shred into “spaghetti” strands)
2 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon garlic salt

Directions

  1. Beat the eggs in a shallow bowl. In another shallow bowl, mix the flour with the Parmesan cheese and spices.
  2. Dip each chicken piece in the eggs, fully coating it, and then toss in the flour mixture until covered.
  3. In a pan over medium high heat, heat the olive oil then pan fry each chicken piece until browned on each side (about 2-3 minutes per side).
  4. Pour 1 cup of the sauce in the bottom of a baking dish, and place chicken on top in a single layer. Cover the chicken with the remaining sauce, then sprinkle the Fontina and finish with the Provolone.
  5. Bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes. Change your oven setting to Broil and continue cooking for 3-5 minutes until the cheese is starting to brown and bubble.
  6. Toss the cooked Spaghetti Squash with the butter and garlic salt, and serve with the chicken.
Buon Appetito!

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