Crispy Italian Chicken Topped with Mozzarella
Description
Crispy fried chicken tenderloins topped with a tomato-garlic-basil sauce and fresh mozzarella cheese are baked until the cheese is bubbling. You can't beat fresh ingredients! Great with rice pilaf and a good green salad.
Ingredients
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1 cup all-purpose flour
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1 1/2 teaspoons salt
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1 teaspoon ground black pepper
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1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
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1 egg
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1 cup panko bread crumbs
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2 tablespoons olive oil, or as needed
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1 pound chicken tenders
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2 tablespoons olive oil
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15 cherry tomatoes, halved
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4 cloves garlic, chopped
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10 fresh basil leaves
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1 small onion, chopped
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salt and ground black pepper to taste
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4 slices of fresh mozzarella cheese, or as needed - cut in half
Directions
1
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2
Whisk together the flour, 1 1/2 teaspoons of salt, 1 teaspoon of black pepper, and cayenne pepper in a bowl. In a separate shallow bowl, beat the egg. Place the panko crumbs into a third bowl.
3
Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Dip each chicken tender into the seasoned flour, then into the egg; roll in panko crumbs. Pan fry the chicken tenders until golden brown on both sides, about 4 minutes per side. Transfer the chicken pieces to a baking sheet.
4
Heat 2 more tablespoons of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat, and stir in the tomatoes, garlic, basil, onion, and a pinch of salt and black pepper. Reduce heat and simmer the tomato sauce until it starts to thicken, stirring often, about 10 minutes. Spoon about 1 tablespoon of sauce over each chicken piece; top with a half piece of mozzarella cheese.
5
Bake in the preheated oven until the cheese is melted and bubbly, 8 to 10 minutes.