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Spring Chicken Parmesan with Tuscan Kale Pesto.
{This post is sponsored by Bertolli®. Thank you for supporting the brands that keep Half Baked Harvest cooking!}
I don’t know if I’ve ever shared this with you guys or not, but chicken parmesan was one of the first recipes I ever learned how to make. Yes, all the way back when I was in middle school. My oldest brother, Creighton, loves chicken parmesan more than anyone. So one night I found a Rachel Ray recipe and decided to make it for him. Searching for recipes with someone in mind, then preparing the dish and seeing their reaction…that’s honestly one of the reasons I started cooking. I had so much fun preparing that meal and seeing Creighton be so happy. That experience was one that inspired me to continue cooking, especially on Sundays.
Since those days I’ve made my fair share of chicken parmesan (I even have a recipe in my cookbook), but somehow, I have yet to share a chicken parmesan recipe here on HBH. When I realized this fact, I knew that this spring chicken parmesan made with Bertolli® sauce would be the perfect recipe to share for tonight’s Sunday Supper.
Sunday Suppers with my family have always been one of my favorite nights of the week, ever since I was a kid. Now that most of my siblings and I are grown and many are no longer living at home, it’s definitely a bit harder to get us all together for a meal. Everyone is busy traveling, working, and living their lives. But somehow we make an effort once a month or so to all come together for a Sunday at my parent’s house. It’s rare that everyone is at the table, but we try! Bertolli® sauce is an easy way to add Tuscan-inspired flavor to your dishes, and it’s something my family looks forward to.
When we do all get together, the one thing I struggle with most is what to make. For those of you who read often, you know that I have a family of rather picky eaters, so my options can be somewhat limited. Put it this way, the Gerard family really loves their chicken and rice…
However, I do have a handful of recipes on hand that I know everyone will eat, and chicken parm is one of those recipes. Normally I’ll make a more wintry version, but with spring in full force, I’m loving this simpler, lighter version packed with spring greens.
Now for the details. You’ll start with the chicken. I like to bread my chicken using a little olive oil, panko bread crumbs, and of course parmesan. I then pan fry the chicken in a little olive oil, top with my favorite tomato sauce, add some cheese, and finish cooking in the oven. Traditional chicken parmesan recipes use a lot of eggs for breading the chicken, and then deep fry. But I love this method because it’s easier and healthier.
For my tomato sauce, I love using a really good store bought sauce, like Bertolli® Rustic Cut Sweet Peppers and Portobello Mushroom Sauce. This sauce is great because not only does it add yet another layer of delicious flavor, but it also (secretly) packs in the veggies too! There are also no artificial flavors, no artificial colors, and no added sugar. If you have any picky eaters at your table, this sauce is for you.
To round out my meal, I love serving the chicken up over a bed of pasta with a spoonful or two of homemade Tuscan kale pesto. In my opinion, you can’t make chicken parmesan without serving it alongside pasta. And the pesto? Well, I just love a little pop of green with everything I make, and pesto is always a delicious option.
I’m really excited because even though we will not have everyone at the table, tonight is a Sunday night family dinner. My parents and Asher are just getting back from a road trip. They drove up from LA, along the California coast, and then over to Tahoe to visit my brother Brendan and his girlfriend Lyndsie. I’m headed up to their house tonight to hear all about their adventures. I know everyone is really looking forward to a nice home cooked meal, so I will be bringing this chicken parmesan and a nice side salad.
Any leftovers will be great to use in salads throughout the week.
If you guys are like my family and I, and are always looking for more dinner inspiration, check out Bertolli’s recipe page. It’s full of so many family friendly recipes. Everything ranging from pasta, to pizza, to chicken to vegetarian friendly meals.
Hope you all have a great relaxing Sunday that’s filled with family…and good food!
Spring Chicken Parmesan with Tuscan Kale Pesto
Servings: 6 servings
Calories Per Serving: 925 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
- 3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced in half horizontally
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, plus more for the pan
- kosher salt and pepper
- 1 cup panko bread crumbs
- 1 cup grated parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 jar (23 ounces) Bertolli® Rustic Cut Pasta Sauce
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- fresh basil and arugula, for serving
- pasta, for serving
Kale Pesto
- 1 cup roughly chopped kale
- 1 cup fresh basil
- 2 tablespoons toasted pine nuts
- 1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- kosher salt
Instructions
- 1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. 2. Toss the chicken with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. 3. Add the bread crumbs, 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, and oregano to a shallow bowl. Working with 1 piece of chicken at a time, dredge through the bread crumbs. Repeat with the remaining chicken.4. Heat a drizzle of olive oil in a large oven safe skillet over medium heat. When the oil simmers, add the chicken and cook for 1-2 minutes per side or until golden. Remove from the heat. Spoon a couple spoonfuls of pasta sauce over each piece of chicken and then top evenly with mozzarella and the remaining 1/2 cup parmesan. 5. Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake for 10 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the chicken is cooked through. 6. Serve the chicken over a bed of pasta with additional pasta sauce. Top each piece of chicken with kale pesto and fresh greens. Enjoy!
Kale Pesto
- 1. In a blender or food processor, combine all ingredients and pulse until chunky smooth. Taste and add salt as needed. Keep stored in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. Serve overtop the chicken.
Best chicken parm I’ve ever had hands down!!
Hey there,
I am delighted that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for making it! xTieghan
The chicken parm was SO good! I had everything already in the pantry so didn’t have to buy that much.
Hey Hannah,
I am so glad you have enjoyed the recipe, thanks so much for making it! Have a great week! xTieghan
Loved this recipe! Will def do it again!
Thank you so much Marie! xTieghan
Best chicken parm ever! I made the panko crumbs from sourdough bread and skipped the egg/flour dip in favor of olive oil before breading. It was delicious and so flavorful!
Thank you so much Robin!! I am so glad you loved this one!! xTieghan
Did you use tuscan kale or regular kale? You didn’t mentioned it in the ingredient list, only in title.
I like to use Tuscan kale. Recipe is all fixed! Please let me know if you have other questions. Hope you love this recipe! Thanks! 🙂
Seriously delicious! Love this spring take on chicken parmesan!
Thank you!
Hey Tieghan,
Thank you for all of the LA suggestions and I’ll have to try Alfred Coffee and by Chloe. I’m looking forward to it and will think of you when I’m there!
Hi Kristin! No problem, I hope you love those places and have the best time while you’re there!
I love the idea of “springifying” chicken parm! Growing up, my family was full of picky eaters, too, but this dish definitely would have made the cut!
Thank you so much Lauren!
Hey Tieghan,
Thank you for all of your suggestions! I’ll have to see the Venice beach area and go to some of the flea markets. I wanted to see the Getty Museum and that area too! Maybe I can hike near there so it won’t be so crowded. Haha American Idol would also be cool to see (depending on how much the tickets are). And I’m excited to go to all of the nice coffee shops. Do you have any suggestions on coffee or vegan places?
I’m glad your family had such a nice time driving up the coast and I hope you had a lovely night catching up. Thanks again!
Hi Kristin! Those sound like such fun ideas, I would totally do that if you can! I know the Alfred Coffee is super popular, so maybe check that out! For vegan restaurants, one of my FAVS is “by Chloe”- it is so yummy! But for the most part you can get vegan options almost anywhere in LA. Also, there is a website called HappyCow.net that will tell where all the vegan restaurants are in the area!
I love chicken parmesan too, maybe as much as your brother (what a nice sister you are!) so thank you for putting this recipe on your site, even if it’s a little bit outside my diet lane, I’m still going to make it, so much appreciated (especially with kale-pesto bonus!)
I hope you love this recipe Sabrina! Thank you!
Can’t wait to try the recipe!
I hope you love it! Thanks Rhonda!
Hey Tieghan,
I hope your family enjoyed this pasta and had a safe trip back! I love the simple chicken Parmesan and the use of the chunky pasta sauce. This would be nice with some roasted veggies or wild mushrooms.
How was there trip? Did they do anything exciting?
I’m heading to LA on the 17th and would love some places to go for adventure and simple fun! I hope Asher and your parents had a lovely time and you’re able to catch up with them tonight.
Hi Kristin! They LOVED the trip. They had so much fun seeing the Hearst Castle and everything up the coast! Also, so exciting that you are going so soon! There are SO many things to do in LA that I love. Make sure to walk down the Venice boardwalk to see all the people! There are many art exhibits that pop up for a few weeks, so maybe look online to see what ones are open! I also love going to flea markets while in LA.. the Melrose Trading Post is every Sunday and depending on how long you’re there the Rosebowl Flea Market is the second Sunday of every month! There are plenty of comedy shows and concerts every night and the Hollywood hike is definitely fun to see, but it is pretty crowded, especially on the weekends! I hope these ideas help you out a little bit!
Chicken Parmesan is literally one of my favorite meals ever! Love how simple this is…perfect even for week nights!
Thank you Brittany! It is perfect for week nights!
So love this recipe! Chicken parm is always a good idea. Love eggplant parm, too.
Thank you so much Joyce!
oh yum i soooo want to eat this!!!
Thank you!