Parmesan Crusted Chicken Breasts with Tomato and Basil

I LOVE this recipe. Try it some night when you can get super fresh basil and real tomatoes!

Parmesan Crusted Chicken Breasts with Tomato and Basil

Recipe courtesy Rachael Ray

Show: 30 Minute MealsEpisode: It's Dinner, Not a Workout

Rated: 4 stars out of 5Rate itRead users' reviews (630)

• RECIPE
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• Cook Time:

  12 min

• Level:

  Easy

• Yield:

  4 servings

Ingredients

• 
  
• Coarse salt and pepper
• 2 cups shredded Parmesan, available in tubs near deli -- make sure to get shredded cheese, not grated
• 4 (6 to 8-ounce) boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 4 plum Roma tomatoes or small, vine ripe tomatoes, seeded and chopped
• 15 to 20 leaves fresh basil, pile leaves, roll then thinly slice -- chiffonade

To prepare chicken: Roll out a 2-foot piece of waxed paper or foil near the stove top. Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium high heat -- your pan must be very hot when the chicken is added. Pile the shredded cheese on the work surface created with the waxed paper or foil. Season your chicken breasts with black pepper but no salt; the cheese will add enough salt to the taste of the dish. Press the breasts firmly into the cheese. Coat both sides of breasts with as much cheese as possible. Add 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil to the skillet, 1 turn of the pan. Set breasts into the skillet and cook 7 minutes on each side, until cheese forms an even, golden casing around the tender chicken breasts.

While chicken cooks, combine chopped tomatoes with basil in a small bowl. Season with salt and pepper, to your taste.

Drain off any excess oil from chicken as you remove it from the skillet. Top chicken with big spoonfuls of raw sauce and serve with potatoes, peppers and onions.