Name: Cheater's Chicken Parmigiana Recipe
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 2
Ingredients: 2 chicken schnitzel; 3 97% fat-free rindless bacon rashers; 1 tbs extra virgin olive oil; 1 tsp crushed garlic; 12 fresh chives roughly chopped; 1/2 tsp black pepper; 1/4 tsp coarse sea salt; 1/2 punnet cherry tomato crushed; 1/4 tsp dried thyme; 2 tsp parmesan cheese shaved; 2 handfuls mozzarella grated; 1 tbs tomato paste; 4 tbs tomato pasta sauce

by Kaz Last updated on 08/18/2020

Fans of the pub classic chicken parmigiana are going to love this recipe! It uses pre-crumbed chicken schnitzels for an easy shortcut, then tops it with bacon, tomato, pasta sauce and cheese for a winning result. - Australia's Best Recipes Team

Ingredients

2 chicken schnitzel
3 97% fat-free rindless bacon rashers
1 tbs extra virgin olive oil
1 tsp crushed garlic
12 fresh chives roughly chopped
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/4 tsp coarse sea salt
1/2 punnet cherry tomato crushed
1/4 tsp dried thyme
2 tsp parmesan cheese shaved
2 handfuls mozzarella grated
1 tbs tomato paste
4 tbs tomato pasta sauce

Method

Step 1

Chop bacon into thirds. Heat some olive oil in a frypan over medium heat.
Step 2

Add the garlic, salt, pepper and chives, and stir.
Step 3

Add the bacon and fry for about 5 minutes.
Step 4

Add the tomatoes and thyme to the pan and fry until the tomatoes go soft (stir occasionally to prevent burning).
Step 5

Remove from heat, separate bacon and tomato from juice and set all aside.
Step 6

Heat some more oil and cook schnitzels over a medium-high heat.
Step 7

Turn a couple of times, until golden-brown on one side and slightly less cooked on the other side.
Step 8

Turn heat to low, drain off most of the oil.
Step 9

With the golden-brown side up, add the following in layers: tomato paste (smear over top), bacon pieces, pasta sauce, parmesan, mozzarella, smashed tomatoes and remaining juices.
Step 10

Cover and heat on low until the mozzarella melts.

Recipe Notes

from Australia’s Best Recipes team

To smash the tomatoes, hold the flat side of a large kitchen knife over the tomatoes and push down. Note: they will squirt seeds at you!

Is chicken parmigiana Italian or Australian?

While chicken parmigiana does have some of the same components as Italian recipes, it was actually created by Italian immigrants in the USA (where it is known as chicken parmesan), and soon after similar versions started making an appearance in Australian restaurants.