How can you make chicken taste better than chicken? Enfold it with flavor. Inundate it with cool contrasts. In the summer, it’s easier to do than you might think.
Take chicken breasts, marinate them in garlic and mustard, then coat with breadcrumbs and Parmesan, cook in butter, and finish by topping with chopped summer tomatoes and basil. Summer is the ideal season to assemble all these ingredients, spend some time in the kitchen walking through each step, and relish in your accomplishments.
This dish has been the most requested entry at Cooking by the Book this summer. People are instinctively drawn to the idea of chicken, cheese, and fresh garden vegetables. This dish becomes a substantial entry. Pair it with freshly roasted corn, and you can enjoy the peak of summer.
Parmesan Crusted Chicken Breasts with Tomatoes and Basil
Servings: 4
Ingredients:
For Chicken and Marinade
- 6 6-ounces boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 6 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon white wine
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper or several dashes of Tabasco
For the Coating
- 1 cup shredded (not grated) Parmesan
- 1 cup breadcrumbs or panko
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
For Tomato Cruda
- 4 plum Roma tomatoes or small, vine ripe tomatoes, seeded and chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 15 to 20 leaves fresh basil, chiffonade
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Preparation:
Preheat oven to 450°F.
For the chicken: Rinse the breasts and pat them dry. In a shallow bowl, whisk together the mustard, wine, garlic, and pepper and add the chicken. The chicken can be coated immediately or held in the refrigerator for up to 2 hours.
For the coating: In a large, shallow dish, mix the cheese, breadcrumbs, and pepper. Drizzle the melted butter over the crumb mixture and toss until well combined.
To coat and cook the chicken: Butter a baking sheet or rack. Take a breast from the marinade with one hand (this is now your “wet” hand.) Don’t wipe off the marinade. Lay the chicken on the crumbs. Scoop and pat the crumbs over the breast using your other hand (your “dry” hand), patting until both sides are thoroughly coated. Put the breast on a buttered baking sheet or rack and repeat with the remaining breasts. Roast the chicken until it’s crisp, browned, and cooked through 25 to 30 minutes.
Meanwhile make tomato cruda: In a small bowl, combine the diced tomatoes, garlic, and salt. Add the basic chiffonade. Set aside while the chicken is baking for the cruda flavors to come together.
Remove chicken from the oven and serve with the tomato and basil sauce.
Source: Adapted from Fine Cooking Magazine and Elizabeth Terry