Description
Chicken Sorrentino is a delightful Italian-inspired dish featuring breaded and fried chicken breasts topped with savory prosciutto, golden fried eggplant slices, fresh mozzarella, marinara sauce, and Parmesan cheese. Baked to perfection, this flavorful recipe combines crispy textures with melty cheese and aromatic basil for a comforting and elegant meal perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Coating
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 1 cup Italian-style breadcrumbs
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Toppings and Sauce
- 4 slices prosciutto
- 1 medium eggplant, sliced into 1/2-inch rounds
- 1/2 cup marinara sauce
- 1 cup fresh mozzarella, sliced
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped
Cooking Oil
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (for frying)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for finishing the dish with a perfect melt and bake.
- Prepare Chicken: Season the chicken breasts generously with salt and pepper. Dredge each piece first in the all-purpose flour, then dip into the beaten eggs, and finally coat thoroughly with the Italian-style breadcrumbs, pressing gently to ensure the coating sticks well.
- Fry Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Fry the breaded chicken breasts for about 4-5 minutes on each side until they develop a golden brown crust and are cooked through. Remove them from the skillet and set aside.
- Fry Eggplant: Using the same skillet, add the eggplant slices and fry lightly until both sides turn golden brown, approximately 2-3 minutes per side. Transfer to paper towels to absorb any excess oil.
- Assemble Layers: Place the fried chicken breasts on a baking sheet. Top each breast with one slice of prosciutto, then arrange a couple of fried eggplant slices on top, and add a slice of fresh mozzarella over the eggplant.
- Add Sauce and Cheese: Spoon approximately one tablespoon of marinara sauce over the mozzarella, then sprinkle each chicken piece with grated Parmesan cheese for additional flavor and a crispy topping.
- Bake: Place the assembled chicken in the preheated oven and bake for 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden.
- Finish and Serve: Remove from the oven, sprinkle with freshly chopped basil to add a fresh herbal note, and serve immediately while hot and bubbly.
Notes
- Using Italian-style breadcrumbs adds an extra depth of herbs and flavor to the coating.
- Drain the fried eggplant on paper towels to prevent sogginess and excess oiliness in the final dish.
- For a lower-fat version, you can bake the breaded chicken instead of frying it, but frying gives the best crispy texture.
- Fresh basil added at the end enhances aroma and flavor without overwhelming the dish.
- Ensure the chicken is cooked thoroughly before baking to avoid undercooked meat.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Italian
