Chicken "Parmesan" with Goat Cheese

It's April!!! Also known as the month of my birth. :) I can't wait for some warmer spring weather! 

Confession: I love cheese. I LOVE cheese. It is the best. Goat cheese, if you haven't tried it, is one of the best ones - tart, creamy, delicious.

I came up with this idea in college with my friend Ashley. We used to make a dip for bread with marinara and goat cheese as a yummy snack when we were hanging out. One of my favorite meals in Chicken Parmesan, so I decided to try and combine the ideas. I've been making it ever since ! :)

Spicy marinara, breaded chicken, and goat cheese with pasta.

What you need:
3 Chicken Breasts, cut in half
1 egg + splash of water
Flour, seasoned with salt and pepper
Seasoned Panko bread crumbs
1 turn of olive oil
1 package of goat cheese
Large jar of marinara sauce (or make your own)
1 lb of spaghetti (or your favorite pasta)
Crushed red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper to taste 

How you make it: 

(Preheat your oven to 450).

First, clean up the chicken. Cut the chicken breasts in half. Meanwhile, heat up the olive oil over medium heat in a large sautee pan.

Next, pick out three larger bowls for an assembly line. The first bowl should the seasoned flour, next is the egg wash (mix the egg and water together), and last is the panko bread crumbs. Get ready to make your chicken! I like to use tongs so I don't keep touching the chicken, and it is easier to coat with each layer. (My chicken is tiny, so my assembly line is a little cramped). Prepare a large rectangle backing dish with some of the marinara sauce on the bottom, you are going to place the chicken on top.

**Note: If you make your own marinara sauce or buy your favorite from the store, I like to add some cayenne pepper or crushed red chili flakes to taste because I prefer a spicy marinara with this dish. It's up to you! Try heating it up in a sauce pan and adding more of what you like, make it your own!

Once you coat the chicken in each layer (flour, egg, bread crumbs), sear the chicken for four minutes on each side. Place into the large rectangle baking dish when done. Work in batches until all of the chicken is done and in the baking dish. Top the chicken with more of the marinara, and then place dollops of goat cheese on top. Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes until the chicken is done. While it is cooking, you can go ahead and get your pasta ready.

Serve it up with your pasta! This would be yummy with some bread and a fresh salad too if you like.

Anyone else have a twist on a classic recipe? :)